Things to do in Bankstown: The ultimate guide

This vibrant suburb in the southwest of Sydney is known for its food, community spirit and lovely streets of heritage houses. With large Lebanese and Vietnamese populations, you can expect family-run restaurants and authentic grocery stores stocking hard to find ingredients. The annual Bankstown Bites festival celebrates global flavours and the local food scene. Take in an exhibition at the Bankstown Arts Centre or watch a show at the Bryan Brown Theatre, dedicated to the actor who grew up in the area.

Things to do in Bankstown

Bankstown is a blend of history, modernity and multiculturalism, with over 129 nationalities calling this southwestern suburb home. The ethnic diversity is reflected in the varied culinary scene and the wide array of experiences on offer. At Bankstown Markets, browse stalls brimming with global street food, farm-fresh produce and second-hand treasures.

At Bankstown Arts Centre, see exhibitions showcasing African, Indigenous, Asian and Yemeni artists or attend a film festival. The Bryan Brown Theatre is a hive of music, laughter and dance, with everything from comedy to cabaret, musical theatre and author talks. Order a coffee in the centre’s BLaKC Café, a relaxing space flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

For aviation enthusiasts, the airport remains a hub for scenic flights and action-packed experiences like the flying simulator at Bankstown Aerodrome. The airport’s historical significance is reflected in its heritage-listed air traffic control tower, a notable landmark.

For more sky-high thrills, try rock climbing and bouldering at Elevate Climbing in Villawood, or see Sydney from the air on a chopper tour with Bankstown Helicopters. Prefer your action on solid ground? Hit top gear at Extreme Indoor Go-Karting while hugging the curves of the track in high-speed go-karts.

There’s plenty of fun things to do for families in Bankstown. Greenacre Splash Park is a great spot for young children to cool off and enjoy making a splash, while indoor play precinct Kids World Play Bankstown has unlimited playtime and a dedicated under-fives’ area. Bankstown Sports has Monkey Mania with a huge 10-metre high play structure, Turbo Climb for kids rock climbing, and an entertainment precinct with shows and excellent dining options. Get back to nature at Bankstown City Gardens with sensory gardens and inclusive play structures.

Where to eat in Bankstown

Bankstown is the perfect place for unexpected flavours. From Lebanese pastries or a fragrant bowl of pho, it’s a place where cuisine worlds collide, with Vietnamese, Japanese, Arabian, Lebanese, Modern Australian and more on the menu.

Don’t miss An Restaurant — known locally as Pho An — famous for its steaming pho brimming with noodles. As you explore the streets, grab a red velvet brownie from new sweet store Tee-Lish Brownies, or get involved in the banh mi wars, with competing local favourites Phuong18, Nam Ong Hot Bread and Banh Mi Bay Ngo. If you’re in the mood for authentic comfort food, The Polish Club has a refined dining experience serving Polish and Slavic cuisine.

Cocktail hour is sorted at Lady Banks, a rooftop bar with 360-degree views from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. The chic venue has aspects of botanical beauty, honouring its muse Lady Dorothea Banks — wife of botanist and Bankstown namesake, Sir Thomas Banks — and the Lady Banks climbing rose named after her.

For faraway flavours and some closer to home, try these local favourites:

• Cedar Wrap BBQ – delicious wraps with charcoal grilled meats and a side of hand-cut fries.
• Al Faisal Mandi – tender meats marinated in Arabian spices and a signature layered rice dish.
• Tokyo Samba – creative eatery serving Japanese Peruvian fusion food that’s 100% Halal.
• Blooming Cafe – Insta-worthy Halal cafe with a delicious all-day brekkie menu.
• Hot City – all-you-can-eat hot pot with slow-cooked seafood soups and dumplings.
• Chehade El Bahsa and Sons – long established Middle Eastern eatery with sweet and savoury snacks.

Events in Bankstown

Bankstown Bites is a lively feast of flavour held every July with culinary tours, celebrity chefs, food stalls and cooking demonstrations. As part of the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program, Love Earlwood – Meet You at the Plateia Festival in September is a family-friendly event with all-day entertainment, roving performers, free rides and face painting for kids, plus food trucks and stalls.

Where to stay in Bankstown

• Rydges Bankstown –at the heart of the commercial district, Rydges has beautifully appointed rooms with upscale decor and 150 open complimentary car spaces.
• Bankstown Hotel – swanky rooms with a Hamptons vibe have air conditioning, private bathrooms and prime position above the classic 100-year-old Bankstown Hotel.
• Mercure Sydney Bankstown – an integral part of Bankstown Sports Club you’ll find impressive facilities and a convenient location, plus well-appointed modern rooms
• Nightcap at Chester Hill Hotel – guests love the fresh and comfortable rooms, some with private balconies. There’s an onsite bar, bistro and Chester Hill train station just a five-minute walk away.

How to get to Bankstown

By car, Bankstown is an easy 30-minute drive via the Eastern Distributor and the M5 Motorway from central Sydney.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get to Bankstown is by bus. Catch it from Town Hall, Park Street at Stand H and arrive at Bankstown Station in approximately 48 minutes. There’s a train from Wynyard Station to Bankstown Station every 10 minutes, with the journey taking around 45 minutes.

Metro serviced are due to commence in 2026. Passengers to Bankstown and along the former T3 line will have a new air-conditioned metro train every four minutes in peak times.

Bankstown is a 40-minute drive from the new Western Sydney Airport.