Kellyville and The Ponds is a booming family area with sprawling new build homes, manicured green spaces, and an ever-growing dining scene. Whether you’re just visiting or residents looking for something new to try, one local family shares their favourite places to play, relax and eat.
Livvi’s Place The Hills
Livvi’s Place is one of many parks across Australia under the Touched by Olivia Organisation, encouraging inclusive play spaces for children of all abilities. When it comes to play spaces in Kellyville and surrounds this is our favourite of many great options.
Livvi’s Place ticks all the most must-have boxes for parents with easy parking, nearby caffeine, it’s fully fenced, has ample shade and handy bathrooms. For kids, this place is absolute heaven. Boasting expansive shaded water play, a sensory area, a musical pathway, miles of climbing equipment, swings, tunnels, climbing ropes and paved bike path.
Not just the best of Kellyville and surrounds, Livvi’s Place has been nationally recognised for its incredible amenities and best of all – it’s free! Try it for yourself at Bernie Mullane Reserve at Marella Avenue, Kellyville. (Image supplied)
Kellyville Pets
There are pet shops, then there’s Kellyville Pets. This huge animal haven is more like a mini zoo, aquarium and museum all rolled into one. It’s even got a coffee shop on-site and best of all it’s absolutely free. It’s definitely on the list of things to do for families in Kellyville and the Ponds.
If you’re looking for anything for your pet pride and joy, you can’t beat Kellyville Pets for a great range of products and animal supplies. However, if you’re also looking for a great spot to just have a wonderful and interesting explore you just can’t go wrong. With hundreds of reptiles, colourful fish, parrots, kittens and puppies this is a lovely afternoon spent with small children taking it all in. It’s also worth mentioning the giant dinosaurs in the carpark if you’ve got a prehistoric enthusiast in your home. Roars are assured! Finish your Kellyville Pets experience with a milkshake in the onsite coffee shop – you’ll need the distraction time to convince your toddler they absolutely don’t need a turtle! Kellyville Pets and The Nest Café are at the Cnr Millcroft Way & Windsor Rd Beaumont Hills NSW. (Image Kellyville Pets Facebook).
Ettamogah Pub
Dining for families in Kellyville and the Ponds? The Ettamogah is a local favourite for the whole crew! This establishment is of structural interest being copied from a drawing by Ken Maynard 1959. Built to look like a ramshackle hotel the front building is a landmark of the Kellyville area.
The word “Ettamogah” is Aboriginal for “place of good drink” and the venue more than lives up to its name. With family dining and a children’s place space The Ettamogah is a great place for catching up with friends over a cheeky wine while the kids can safely play. With a permanent jungle gym, jumping castles, arcade games and an 8m tall rock climbing wall there’s plenty for kids of all ages. The pub style menu can be found online. The Ettamogah is located on the corner of Merriville and Windsor Roads, Kellyville Ridge. (Images via Ettamogah)
Rouse Hill House & Farm in Rouse Hill Estate
If you’d like to enjoy a little local history, heritage-listed Rouse Hill Farm is the place to go! Rouse Hill House and Farm was the family home of Richard Rouse, the Colonial Superintendent of Public Works and Convicts at Parramatta and was built in 1813.
The Estate also includes the restored 1888 Rouse Hill Schoolhouse, a section of the original Windsor Road turnpike proclaimed by Governor Macquarie in 1813, and the site of the doomed 1804 ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion.
Under the management of Sydney Living Museums these amazing places can be toured and for history buffs are of great interest. A tour of the property gives unique insight into the hopes and dreams of the six generations of families who have lived on the land. As well as being a fabulous example of early 1800’s architecture, the property holds over 20,000 objects spanning its long life. Take a walk back in time and imagine Kellyville and surrounds before it was developed at 356 Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill.
Best date night dining
If you’re able to secure a date night (kid free!) in Kellyville and surrounds we highly recommend OSSO at Rouse Hill. With a city vibe, this sophisticated eatery has a delicious menu and expansive wine list of over 100 choices. The culinary concept is a nod to the ‘Gate to Plate’ philosophy and showcases signature prime cuts of beef, birds and seafood, with a selection of sides to complement each dish. See the menu here. Other notable dining options include Saharas Turkish Street Food in the Ponds and The Bavarian in Rouse Hill Town Centre.
(Image: OSSO Twice Cooked Pork Belly Salad. Served with Papaya, Mango, Young Coconut, Coriander, Mint and Crackle.)
If you’ve headed to the area you’ll know you’re well and truly in the suburbs in Kellyville. The area (and its surrounds) is truly a warm and friendly mecca that celebrates fun, food and family. With beautiful parks, excellent dining, a strong retail precinct and expansive local history there’s no shortage of things to do for families in Kellyville and the Ponds. Why not hope the metro today and see why so many families love to call this vibrant destination their home?
The Calabro family have lived in Kellyville for more than a decade.
