Blacktown

Within the modern and energetic City of Blacktown, the suburb of Blacktown is situated 34 kilometers west of the Sydney CBD and is a significant multicultural community.

The creation of a rail station led to the town developing around it and a post office was opened in 1862, followed by a school in 1877. As of the 2011 census, there were 43,374 residents in Blacktown.

The area features a number of landmarks including the Blacktown City Council corporate head office, a courthouse, hospital, the Blacktown Workers Club and Patrician Brothers' College.

Attractions include Featherdale Wildlife Park, and the Blacktown Arts Centre, which was originally built in the 1950s as an Anglican church. It has since been refurbished and the building now used as a multi-arts venue.

Notable people born in Blacktown include Kurtley Beale, rugby union player, the actress Toni Collette and actor Joel Edgerton. Bob Brown, the former Greens Party Leader and Senator was raised in Blacktown and Frank Lowy ran a delicatessen and small goods shop during the 1950s.

The Blacktown Commercial Business District is located close to the train station, with Westpoint Blacktown being a major shopping centre. A wide variety of small shops, restaurants and hotels feature in the surrounding area.