Earlier this week, Wests Group Macarthur turned the first sod on a bold new chapter for Gledswood Hills reviving the spirit of the legendary El Caballo Blanco.
The Turning of the Soil ceremony signalled the transition from vision to reality for The Greens, a 40-hectare recreation, hospitality and tourism precinct set to open in late 2027.
Among those present were State MPs Sally Quinnell (Camden), Nathan Hagarty (Leppington), Judy Hannan (Wollondilly) and Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli, alongside directors, staff and project partners.
For decades, this site was synonymous with spectacle.
From the late 1970s, El Caballo Blanco dazzled visitors with “spectacular Andalusian dancing horses, Spanish-style architecture and immersive entertainment experiences.”
At its height, it boasted daily performances, ornamental gardens and family amusements, “a premier all-weather attraction” etched into Sydney’s tourism circuit.
But as tastes shifted, the once-thriving destination fell silent.
Now, the silence is breaking.
The Greens will feature a 56-bay, two-level driving range, a nine-hole par-three course designed by Greg Norman, 27 holes of mini golf, and a 1,200-seat dining precinct complete with bars, restaurants and a dessert parlour.
Families can expect a 400sqm arcade and play centre and a reimagined Australiana Park nodding to the past.
Crucially, the design weaves history into the future. Relics will be incorporated, branding and menus will reference the old park, and Indigenous consultation ensures the landscape reflects a genuine connection to Country.
With earthworks underway, the ceremony marked more than construction.
It marked renewal, “the official commencement of the next chapter to a site that has entertained, inspired and connected generations.”
