Discover Art and Local Gems at The Ponds

On the traditional lands of the Dharug people, The Ponds is a suburb shaped by sustainability, community and connection to art and the natural environment. Making it an oasis to explore. A day here is one of discovery – encountering unique sculptures, extraordinary public art, fabulous food and energetic community spirit. The kind of experience that leaves you feeling inspired.

The Ponds Public Art, The Ponds

The Ponds Parklands, The Ponds

A striking sculpture, Float, welcomes you as you arrive into The Ponds on Stanhope Parkway, large upside-down umbrellas perched on a roundabout create an instant WOW! factor. This is a taste of what’s to come, with public art interwoven into the suburb’s character, developed around the design themes of Harvest, The Culture of Water and Beneath the Roof Lines. First Nations culture is beautifully embedded throughout, making art part of everyday life, something that local and visitor alike can meaningfully connect with.

Float sculpture, The Ponds

Begin your day at The Ponds Shopping Centre, a community hub where you can shop, enjoy coffee, a great meal and gain a sense of local life. Leaf Cafe & Co’s leafy courtyard is perfect for soaking up the atmosphere. Afterwards, Silverleaf Artisan Bakery’s white choc raspberry scroll can be summed up in one word - yum.

The Ponds Shopping Centre, The Ponds

Silverleaf Artisan Bakery

Leaf Cafe & Co, The Ponds

When it’s time to explore, you’ll find parks with distinct personalities at every turn. Some include The Ponds Parklands, where a unique lily pad design is home to small fish and dragonflies.

Art sculpture, The Ponds

The Ponds Parklands, The Ponds

First Nations culture can be experienced through art at Gathering Park and Arrowroot Park, and at Silverleaf Park colourful poles are reminiscent of a Dr. Suess story.

Arrowroot Park, The Ponds

Gathering Park, The Ponds

Silverleaf Park, The Ponds

Gathering Park, The Ponds

See if you can find the quirky house sculpture at one of the roundabouts, you’ll want to get your camera out it’s a showstopper. Another highlight is Ironbark Lake for the art installations The Culture of Water and Ponds Dreaming. Impactful and connected to place.

Quirky House Sculpture, The Ponds

Ironbark Lake, The Ponds

Culture of Water sculpture, Ironbark Lake, The Ponds

When lunch rolls around, the eateries at The Ponds Shopping Centre are stylishly designed to reflect the personality of each venue and their cuisine. Koko Thai Restaurant, The Indian Eatery and Sahara Street Food are all fantastic options.

Koko Thai Restaurant, The Ponds

The Indian Eatery, The Ponds

The Indian Eatery, The Ponds

At Sahara Street Food, owners Sinem and Ozer have created a space inspired by Istanbul’s Taksim Square and vibrant side streets, you’ll notice peekaboo brick wallpaper and a large mural to reflect this. Ozer has a passion for photography, so the photos on the wall are his, including one of his grandfather.

Sahara Street Food, The Ponds

The food is authentically Turkish, with flavours that make every mouthful a delight. The menu is fantastically full of options, from mezze to wraps, burgers, salads, Turkish pides, pizzas, platters and mouth-watering chargrill options. Specialising in woodfire cooking methods with Mediterranean flavours, WEST loved the charcoal grilled skewers, packed full of smoky, umami flavours.

Sahara Street Food, The Ponds

A day exploring The Ponds is sure to leave you feeling inspired by art and the way nature, culture and community are interwoven into everyday life, celebrating the past and the present to create a bright future. A place full of discovery and curiosity, the best kind of day out.

Explore with West.