Once hosting crowds of over 15,000 at the local raceway in the 1950s, Mount Druitt is now a suburb bursting with a rich history, exciting change, and diverse culture.
The traditional owners of the land are the Darug people and there are many local Darug people who still live in the area.
Easily accessible by train, begin your day out on Mount Druitt Road – the south side of the railway.
With a large Filipino and Pacific Islander population, Mount Druitt is a go-to suburb for their respective cuisines. Along the Northern end of Mount Druitt Road you’ll find a colourful array of businesses including multi-cultural grocery shops, a butchery, and several eat spots. Grab yourself a coffee from along this strip, or head over to The Ritual Espresso on the other side of the railway line.
Just around the corner from Mount Druitt Road, you’ll find heritage-listed property The Manse on the Avenue. Built-in the mid-1880s as a cottage, this building was given to the local Presbyterian Church to be used as a manse. In 2000 it was purchased by Blacktown City Council and was restored in 2009 to be used by the Mount Druitt Historical Society as a research centre and community museum.
Hazel Magann who is deeply involved with the society told us about Mount Druitt’s past, and there are a number of other historic buildings that are a reminder of what the area once was.
Further down the road, you’ll find the Mount Druitt Community Centre. Built in 1925, this art deco style building has been used as a community hall ever since. It is also next to the site of a convict cemetery built by the suburb’s namesake Major George Druitt.
Next, head to Waterholes Remembrance Garden – a large park with an Anzac memorial walking track and individual monuments. Taking up over an acre of land next to the Great Western Highway, this memorial centres around an impressive sundial and was opened in 1995.The trees around the memorial were planted by local children, and information plaques about veterans give greater insight into the memorial.
Next, head back towards the station, to the north side of Mount Druitt. The newly renovated Westfields is a great stop for a meal. The top floor of the centre combines both indoor and outdoor dining, with chill out spaces for relaxing. Decked out with greenery, you’ll feel as if you’ve walked into an urban oasis. With options including TGI Fridays, The Sporting Glob, Pho Master, and Little Bangkok, there is plenty of variety for you to come back and try time and time again.
On this side of Mount Druitt, you will again see how multicultural this area is. Scattered with churches, mosques, and temples, Mount Druitt stands as testament to Sydney’s diversity.
The RAAF Memorial Park, nearby, is a great symbol of this diversity. The park features a stunning memorial sculpture to the Pacific War victims and Australian peace enhancement. It features English and Korean language characters, as well as images taken during the war.
Mount Druitt is a suburb full of surprises, history and culture and where a visitor will feel the sense of community that locals know and love.