Sydney's first 'hands on high ropes' adventure park opens

Sydneysiders can now experience the ultimate outdoor adventure and get hands on with nature with the opening of the new TreeTop Adventure Park.

A Sydney first, TreeTop Adventure Park features a series of eight age-appropriate and eco-friendly high-ropes courses set in 11 hectares of rare Australian bush.

Located in the Western Sydney Parklands at Abbotsbury, the courses are built among the massive eucalypt canopy of one of the few remaining tracts of Cumberland Woodland Plain in NSW.

The Park caters for children from three to adults and includes a special 'black' course for adventure daredevils.

Scattered among the courses are 19 flying foxes, including one of Australia's longest at 240 metres, a series of climbing nets, Tarzan lianas, monkey bridges, suspended rafts, trapeze, twisted ladders and much more.

TreeTop Adventure Park is operated by award-winning company Ecoline - the first private enterprise to build eco parks in partnership with Government bodies in NSW State Forests and National Parks.

Co-owner, Sandrine Gaymard said the Sydney Park built in partnership with Western Sydney Parklands Trust is a unique opportunity for people to learn about and experience the bush first hand.

Gaymard explains "at TreeTops we're huge advocates for getting people outdoors and doing activities together to build their confidence and learn new skills.

"People do not need any special skills to participate and there are varying levels of courses that people can progress through from green, blue, red and black for the adults and yellow, orange and purple for children under ten.

"We do find people will naturally push themselves and we have specifically trained instructors to ensure participants can enjoy the courses within their fitness limits."

Western Sydney Parklands Trust Director, Suellen Fitzgerald, said the Trust's initiative to advertise an Expression of Interest in 2011 has meant that Ecoline has constructed a facility that is sympathetic to its rare setting and that enhanced its interest and value to the community.

Fitzgerald explained "his is a perfect example of how the Trust is partnering to bring new activities and investment to Western Sydney."

The TreeTop experience can take up to two three hours, including 'gearing' time where participants are harnessed and oriented through a practice course.

The children courses are constructed using Ecotrack, an innovative continuous belay system for safety engineered by Ecoline. In keeping with its commitment to sustainability, no drilling or nailing was involved in the Park's construction.

It's a great experience for the body and mind while providing an eco-friendly outdoors experience that's gentle on the environment.

Officially opening the attraction NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Barry O'Farrell stated "the Sydney TreeTop Adventure Park is a great example of how the private sector and government can work together to provide exciting facilities and employment opportunities for the people of Western Sydney.

"The park gives both children and adults the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Western Sydney Parklands and to explore the bush from a completely different perspective from the canopy of the trees.

"At the park, people can take part in activities like sliding down flying foxes, moving from tree to tree on suspension bridges or using one of the artificial Tarzan vines."

With the operators having introduced the concept of tree-based adventure to Australia from their native France, Treetop Adventure Park Sydney is the third park built by Ecoline.

With no drilling or nailing involved in construction, the Park's courses leave the environment unharmed.

Eco-certified by Eco Tourism Australia, Ecoline is a two-time Telstra Business Award winner.

For more information go to www.treetopadventurepark.com.au