Rouse Hill House & Farm, Rouse Hill

Step back in time and experience days of old with your family.

My friend and I arrived for the House and Farm Fair just as the gates opened and we were surprised at how much interest it had gathered – there was a huge line even five minutes past ten. On the website, there is a notice saying that there were more than 4000 people at the fair!

We were not too sure what to expect but it’s safe to say that we enjoyed every minute there! I would recommend making it a half or full day outing; my friend and I only had two hours, so we rushed around trying to experience everything. You can choose to pack a picnic or buy your lunch from the food stalls and sit down on the haybale picnic tables or borrow a picnic mat and sit on the grass. Don’t forget your hats and sunscreen!

Attractions

There were many different attractions to keep you and your family entertained for hours. Coming down the path, we were met by the delicious smell of sizzling sausages and BBQed meat. Perhaps slightly ironically, opposite the food stalls were a small herd of cows which you could feed hay to and pet.

Besides the cows, was Mrs Fox’s schoolhouse where you could sign up for a school experience from the 1880s. I, unfortunately, did not have the time to attend but Mrs Fox was standing outside the door waiting for her students.

Further down was a petting zoo that garnered much attention from both kids and adults. There were goats that were enjoying being fed and little ducklings that waddled around happily. Close to the petting zoo, a crowd had gathered around a demonstration of a man using a whip and it was very exciting to hear the loud crack of the whip as he explained the different ways to use it.

I was unable to experience the pony ride as the line was too long and the boomerang throwing demonstration due to time constraints. However, we made time to stop over and take in the Aboriginal artefacts and artworks as we rushed to our car. There were children painting and learning how Aboriginal art symbols as an Aboriginal woman helped them and informed them about her culture and traditions.

Stalls

There were a handful of food stalls that ranged from BBQ to desserts. The fair supported both organisations such as the Castle Hill CWA (Country Women’s Association of NSW) who were selling homemade pickles, jams, and classic scones; and the Riverstone Scouts who hosted a sausage sizzle.

My friend bought the Hunger Bear Box from Blackbear BBQ and thoroughly enjoyed the three different types of meat. We finished off with some Unicorn Droppings fairy floss from Instafamous Fluffe and a sausage from the Riverstone Scouts. Although there was a small number of stalls, I believe there was enough to satisfy both hunger, caffeine, and sweet cravings with other stalls being The Gelato Man, The Loaded Crumb, and Pull’N Shots.

Pros and Cons

The farm is quite spacious, and all the attractions are spread out accordingly. While this ensures the crowd is spread out, it will also require some walking.
While some of the stalls accept EFTPOS, there is an ATM available for those who do not have cash. However, I would recommend cashing out before you come as there is a high withdrawal surcharge!

Overall Experience

It is great to have a fair like this in Hills that is engaging, entertaining, and educational. There were many more attractions that we missed out on such as vintage games and maypole dancing. I look forward to coming back next year and spending more time at the fair. I would recommend coming early before the main crowd in the middle of the day to find parking.

Reference Links

Digging up more history at Rouse Hill House and Farm
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/digging-up-more-history-at-rouse-hill-house-amp-farm/news-story/22d4429c1389b2aabd9bbbf4be79e80c

Address: 356 Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill NSW, 2155
Phone:  +612 9627 6777
Opening Hours:  
Wed-Sun | 10am-4pm
Family Fair: 12th August 2018 | 10am-4pm
Prices:
Adult | $12
Concession | $8
Family | $30
Sydney Museums Pass holders | Free
Members | Free
Children under 5 years | Free
Website: https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rouse-hill-house-farm/visit#address