Blacktown
Green is the new Blacktown. Once an Aboriginal reservation, it's now shaping up to be a playground of outdoors activities for a city that is in danger of redeveloping itself into a concrete corner. Drive out to the speedway and, yes, Sydney's last remaining drive-in.
How To Get There
Train Catch a train from Central station to Blacktown (Western Line), the trip should take approximately 40 minutes. Fares: Single - $4.60, Conc/Child: $2.30; Return - $9.20, Conc/Child: $4.60; Off-peak Return: $6.40, Conc/Child: $2.60.
Car From Central head to the Cahill Expressway and then over the bridge.
Merge onto the Warringah Fwy and then the M2, then take the Old Windsor
Road exit. The trip is 42 km and takes just over 45 minutes.
Drive-in cinema
The modern multiplex has nothing on the retro-style drive-in. It's
the crackling speaker clamped to the windowpane, the flickering light
over the steering wheel and the urge to get jiggy on the back seat that
make the drive-in experience one you'll always cherish. Happy days
indeed.
Cricketers Arms Rd, Blacktown 2148. (02 9622 4170). Adults $14; child, concs & Tue $9.
"It's comfortable - just like walking into your lounge room." They
are proud words from the owner of the Royal Cricketers Arms, Daniel
Kellie, whose pub remains faithfully loyal to the good things in life:
quality service, yum food and good old fashioned hospitality. "And you
won't find those awful gaming dens you find at other venues." Serving
up live music and hearty meals that would make the mother country proud
- think bangers and mash, shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch - and
washing it down with a pint of Extra Special Beer, the Arms is a big
time favourite for Sunday lunch. And why not? With a bar you can sit at
all day (make sure you buy yourself a $1.10 pickled egg) and a beer
garden to soak up the sun, this historic roadside inn is one of
Sydney's best pubs. (SN)
Cricketers Arms Rd, Prospect 2148. (02 9622 6498)
Whatever fuel-driven adrenaline you crave - four wheels, two wheels,
small wheels - you'll find it at Sydney's ultimate petrol-head haven,
Eastern Creek. "The fastest you can drive legally in Sydney is 110kms
per hour. So the only place to open it up is here," shouts Eastern
Creek's Phil Harrison as the engines blare in the background. On Track
and Ride Days you can bring your car or motorbike and scream around the
2.8km world-class circuit. Alternatively, call in the pros. The V8Race
company will have you strapped in a souped up Ford or Holden and given
a G-force ride you'll never forget. Next door, small wheel lovers can
get their rush on with go-karting at the world's largest karting
complex. This is life with no speed limits. (SN)
Brabham Dr/Ferrers Rd, Eastern Creet 2766. (02 9672 1000)
Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway, 50 Peter Brock Dr, Eastern Creek 2766. (02 9672 7530)