Characterised by panoramic mountain views and tree-lined streetscapes, Mount Annan sits on Dharawal people land and overlooks the surrounding semi-rural area of Camden. With plenty of open spaces and parks, this area of South-West Sydney is ready to be explored on foot, by bike, or in the car.
Begin your day with a coffee and bite to eat at Wild Dragonfly Café next to Flower Power on Mount Annan Drive. This lovely café is filled with flowers and plants and also has a spacious al fresco area. It’s perfect for a fresh start to the day.
Hidden among the quiet residential streets you’ll also find nods to the area’s history. A bronze statue of Governor John Hunter is hidden on Baragil Mews accessible via car or by path from Burnett Avenue near Flower Power. It is a memorial to the story of the naming of the area as ‘Cowpastures’ in 1795 by the European settlers. The memorial also includes artwork along the fencing depicting cows, huts, and a farmer’s cart.
The next stop is the Australian Botanic Garden which is a stunning backdrop to Mount Annan with over 416 hectares of woodlands, gardens, and hills. Opened in 1988 on farming land that was once owned by Magistrate William Howe, the garden has been developed, curated, and maintained as major conservation centre for plants in Australia. It is now home to over 4 000 species of plants.
Head to the Visitor Centre and grab a map of the walking tracks that weave through the many landscaped gardens full of native plants. Enjoy your own self-guided tour of the area or book a guided walk at the Visitor Centre. The Woodland Walk is an easy 4 kilometre loop which goes through the ecologically diverse Cumberland Plain Woodland. Keep a look out for the heritage-listed Upper Canal built in the 1880s which is still used to supply water to the garden and across Sydney.
The Australian Botanic Garden is not only an excellent place to walk, run, ride, or drive around, but also considered a scientific institution. It is home to the Australian PlantBank which is the largest native plant conservation seedbank in the country, housing over 100 million seeds ensuring the preservation of plants if they become extinct in the wild. To do a tour of the PlantBank, book at the Visitor Centre or online.
After you have spent your morning in the garden, you’ll be ready to enjoy a hearty meal. Luckily, wherever you are in Mount Annan, you’re always a short trip to the Mount Annan Marketplace – the heart of this community. Here, there are great restaurant options including Melov Thai, Rashays, Pasticceria Dolce Vita, and Bakers Choice where you can pick up some classic bakery sweets.
Finally, walk along the cascades of Thornleigh Gully surrounded by family homes and head towards William Howe Regional Park for incredible views of the area from Turkeys Nest Picnic Area. From here, you’ll enjoy stunning views towards the Blue Mountains and the rolling hills of the Australian Botanic Garden.
Mount Annan is a neighbourhood perfectly created for community living. With good schools, parks, amenities, and no shortage of spectacular views, Mount Annan is also perfectly Western Sydney.
