Pennant Hills, not to be confused with its neighbour West Pennant Hills, is a small culture hub tucked between Lane Cove National Park and Berowra Valley Regional Park. On a clear day, this suburb on Dharug land boasts breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains as well as the city.
Located only 25 minutes from the Sydney CBD by car and easily accessible by train, you’ll explore this quiet, yet flourishing area in one day.
Start your exploration on the main street next to the train station. Incredibly, in the space of 150m, you’ll find Thai, Pakistani, Japanese, Lebanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other cuisines dotting the main street. Grab something now or make a note of what you want for lunch.
For your morning coffee, we recommend Plenty café, on the corner of Yarrara and Hillcrest Road. We sat down for a meal, ordering the Green Bowl and their Corn Fritters. If you’re only hungry for a nibble, they also have an impressive array of croissants, muffins, and other baked goodies. Have a bite to eat now or take some for the next stop – Lilian Fraser Garden.
This beautiful public garden is just under a kilometre away from the station, making it an easy stroll or drive. Park on Laurence or Bellamy Street and you’ll find the woodland garden on the corner.
Seemingly taken straight out of The Secret Garden, this property was once owned by Australia’s third qualified female biologist Dr Lilian Fraser. She donated her garden to the Hornsby Shire Council in 1982, wishing for it to be enjoyed by the public. Fraser passed away in 1987.
As a devoted plant lover, especially citruses, it is no surprise that the garden has a huge range of plants which also attract many native birds. Spend time exploring the little paths that meander around the garden, have a snack on the benches, or read a book. Whatever you choose to do, let yourself be taken out of the hustle and bustle of city life.
After you’ve soaked up the serenity, you can either head back to the main street for some more food, or head into one of the surrounding bushlands for an afternoon walk.