Calmsley Hill farm in Western Sydney is far more than a “petting zoo”.
Once known as Fairfield City Farm, Calmsley Hill is actually a real 400-acre farm with 360 sheep, tractor rides and working dog shows.
Calmsley Hill Farm. Picture: Alison Godfrey
Most families love this place because it allows kids to get up close to the animals. Calmsley has horses, cows, pigs, chickens, goats, rabbits, a camel and a donkey. It also has native animals such as wombats, kangaroos and wallabies. Western Sydney families really are spoilt with this place. Eastern Sydney families will be amazed by how fantastic it is compared to the tiny petting zoos that come towards the beaches.
Calmsley City Farm. Picture: Alison Godfrey
It costs $27.50 for adults to enter Camsley Hill Farm. In the school holidays kids were just $5. For $2 kids can get a bag of food. But be warned, once you enter the goat pen, you will want to hold that bag up high. The goats will go for it. And they don’t mind eating the paper as well as the grass.
Calmsley City farm. Picture: Alison Godfrey
My daughter’s favourite was the Shetland Ponies. These miniature horses were calm and gentle and loved being fed by hand.
Calmsley City Farm. Picture: Alison Godfrey
Calmsley has piglets and lambs this school holidays. The kids loved watching the litter of piglets jostle for a position at their mother’s teets when feeding time came.
Calmsley City Farm. Picture: Alison Godfrey
Calmsley Hill farms’ tractor rides were sold out on the day we visited. The red tractor takes visitors across the paddocks as a guide explains how the farm works and what it takes to care for the animals. It’s fascinating for kids and city-slickers. Our advice is to get here early so you can get a seat.
The only problem you will have at Calmsley Hill, is getting the kids to leave.
Camsley Hill Farm is located at 31 Darling St, Abbotsbury NSW 2176. It opens from 9am.
Read More:
Family fun farm stays around Australia
Knott’s Berry farm is more than just a farm
Penguins on parade in Phillip Island
Travel allows you to get outside your bubble. It makes you realise there are other ways to do things, and that’s OK. Plus, I am a huge fan of skiing and for the best powder – you need to head overseas.