Shopping in Hills District
Main Shopping Areas
Castle Towers Shopping Centre in Castle Hill, is the main shopping centre in Hills District.
The shopping complex has a net leasable area of approximately 112,000 square metres, making it one of Australia's largest shopping centres. It is a major drawcard for the Hills district and provides a one-stop retail, leisure and entertainment environment.
Other boutique retail attractions
The award goes to Dural for having the most cafes in one suburb, including the fantastic Wild Pear Cafe, which Larissa, the 2019 MasterChef winner, calls home. S.A.L.T Café, The Wren at Round Corner, Hills Organics, and Dolcettini are also nearby. The Local Collective, Sugar Salt Cafe, and the SteamYard Cafe are all nearby in Galston. They are all fantastic locations for various reasons, but they have one thing in common: they are all family-run by enthusiastic people who love what they do, and it shows in the quality of their cuisine and service.
Glenorie Growers Market
Glenorie is a pretty little community with a rural atmosphere. Pies and pastries can be found at the renowned Glenorie Bakery, or both! There is a little playground outside, and brunch and lunch items are available on the menu. If the kids will let you, you should also check out some of the fantastic little mom-friendly stores in Glenorie Village, such Blume Apparel and 2157 Fine Gifts & Homewares. The opportunity for the youngsters to see animals along the road is an added benefit of visiting Glenorie!
The Glenorie Growers Market is open every fourth Sunday of the month, from 8 am to 1 pm.
Leisure
In spite of the urbanisation of the Hills district over the past twenty years, the district has retained much of its rural, easy going charm and offers a wide variety of leisure activities including team sports, bushwalking, horse riding and the discovery of the area s convict past and diverse natural history.
Own a piece of perfection in the Hills District.
The Hills Shire (also known as The Hills District) is a relatively narrow stretch of hills running north-south between Winston Hills and Wisemans Ferry. It is easy to identify many suburbs as belonging to the region, with names such as Box Hill, Rouse Hill, Winston Hills, Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills.
Many people associate real estate in The Hills with large blocks, picturesque scenery and peaceful surroundings. This was recently reinforced when the City of Parramatta Council took over responsibility for the area to the south of the M2 including North Rocks, Northmead, Carlingford, North Parramatta and Oatlands. There are also several reputable schools in the area. Houses in the region are therefore popular with families that are seeking a quality education for their children and value space and relative peace and quiet. It goes without saying that properties for sale in The Hills don’t stand empty for long.
In recent years, some areas in and around The Hills are being rapidly subdivided, developed and put up for sale, especially along the new Sydney Metro train line in Castle Hill, Bella Vista, Kellyville, Beaumont Hills and Rouse Hill. Surrounding amenities have exploded in the lead up to the opening of the train line (due in 2019), creating a recent boom in property prices. The largest project will be the redevelopment of Castle Towers. The owner (Queensland Investment Corporation) has proposed to expand the shopping centre by 80,000sqm to become Australia’s second largest centre. The plan may also include building a 22 story residential apartment tower on top of the complex.
People who own and rent real estate in The Hills are predominantly of Australian background and have above average household incomes, with 36% of households earning an income of $2,500 or more per week in 2011. In fact, in that year the ‘highest’ income quartile was the largest group, comprising 45% of households with income.
Recreation and Other Amenities in Hills District
The Hills is a haven for nature lovers, as much of area is covered by forest and National Park, including the Hawkesbury River, Cattai National Park, Cumberland State Forest, Maroota Nature Reserve, Bidjigal Reserve, Bella Vista Farm Park.
Most of the suburbs in the area are made up of leafy green streets and large properties with spacious gardens. Popular outdoor activities include bushwalking, mountain bike riding, road cycling, climbing, canyoning, kayaking, sailing, water skiing, bird watching and enjoying a relaxing picnic. The ferry crossing at Wiseman’s Ferry allows you easily explore the expansive National Park north of the Hawksbury River as well.
There are also several golf clubs in The Hills to enjoy, with the scenic Castle Hill Country Club being ranked in the top 100 clubs in Australia.
Towards the southern part of The Hills, there are cinemas in Rouse Hill and Castle Hill. Gyms and personal trainers can be found in every major shopping area. The main hospital is Norwest Private Hospital, but Westmead Hospital is not too much further.
Downsizers are well catered for by a range of amenities and local hospitals, including Ryde, Macquarie and Macquarie University Hospitals. Towards Parramatta, the Children’s Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Cumberland Hospital are also easily accessible.
Some additional attractions in The Hills include the Castle Hill Showground, Sydney Ice Arena, Golden Ridge Animal Farm, TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute (The Hills College – Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill Campuses) and Norwest Business Park.
As you can see, buying a home in The Hills offers access to great amenities, shopping and transport to the CBD. The Hills will become an even more desirable place to live in future years, once the Sydney Metro line is completed and as Parramatta expands, bringing even more jobs into the region.
Our buyers’ agents would love to help you find a property in The Hills, whether that’s your dream home or an investment property close to amenities.
