Fernhill Estate, Mulgoa: western Sydney heritage property to open to the public
A historic estate in Sydney’s western suburbs will be opened to the public for the first time this long weekend. SEE THE PLANS FOR THE SITE HERE.
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The historic grounds of Fernhill Estate in Sydney’s west will be opened to the public with a new walking track being revealed for families itching to get out of the house this long weekend.
The heritage listed property in Mulgoa, which was purchased by the NSW Government in 2018 preventing it from being transformed into a cemetery, will host its first guests during a series of trial open days each weekend starting on June 6. The open days will allow residents to make suggestions on the kind of activities they would like to see at the estate in the future.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes revealed exclusively to the Penrith Press a 2.6km walking track stretching across the estate was one of the first stages of a massive plan to “transform the site into the centennial park of the west”.
“We’ve created a new loop track for local residents to tour the grounds and the outside of the homestead in what is one of the earliest surviving estates in the Sydney basin,” Mr Stokes said. “But the future of these grounds is up to the community to decide.
“The reason we are opening it up is because it is public land, we need more access to more public spaces and we want to finalise the plan for the future of this incredible site.”
Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres said despite the fact that Fernhill Estate has long been on the doorstep of western Sydney residents, “it has always been a bit of a mystery”.
“The homestead has a strong colonial history with the Cox Family who built it, the same family that cut the Great Western Highway out over the Blue Mountains,” he said. “This is such an important part in the way western Sydney is going to evolve as well as the amazing history that exist here.”
The Penrith state Liberal MP and Mulgoa state Liberal MP Tanya Davies campaigned for the NSW Government to purchase the massive landholding in an effort to “preserve it for the future of Sydney’s west”.
“Surrounded by the Cumberland Plain Woodland and boasting beautiful gardens,
lakes, paddocks and sandstone buildings from the 19th Century, Fernhill Estate will
provide a haven for visitors to enjoy and wildlife to thrive,” Ms Davies said.
“COVID-19 has highlighted the importance our parks, tracks and public spaces for the
health and wellbeing of the community and this new track will provide a wonderful
place for residents to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.”
Several suggestions including cafe’s and accommodation, community gardens, wedding and concert venues have been proposed as part of the future vision for the site.