Sydney is renowned for world-class landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
In addition, it is home to some of the best restaurants, coffee shops and nightclubs in Australia too. As well as fantastic beaches like Coogee and Bondi and exceptional museums, galleries and centres for performing art.
But did you know there are also some world-class shooting ranges in Sydney where you can brush up on your aim?
For those who enjoy nothing more than emptying their clips, there are several venues throughout the city where you can channel your inner ‘Dirty Harry’ and fire off a gun.
From Duffys Forest and Cecil Park to Hornsby and Lucas Heights, here are 13 of the best of them to visit, should you feel so inclined. (Don’t worry, they are all perfectly safe).
1. Condell Park Indoor Firearms Range
The Condell Park Indoor Firearms Range is an institution in the city. Since the late 1990s, it has been recognised as one of the best places to buy firearms.
Its indoor shooting range is also excellent too. Opened to club members and guests who hold a current license, they provide a wonderful facility in which to practice.
Some of the firearms you can use in their 25-metre shooting gallery include a 44 Magnum revolver, 9mm pistol, 357 Revolver, shotgun, Desert Eagle or .460 Magnum,.
For those who need it, they also sell a wide selection of firearms, apparel, accessories and ammunition.
Address: 2/28 Harley Cres, Condell Park NSW 2200
Phone: (02) 9796 0600
Trading Hours: Mon – Fri 10:30 am – 8 pm, Sat 9 am – 3 pm
2. New South Wales Gun Club
The granddaddy of clay target shooting, the New South Wales Gun Club is by far and away the most established club venue on this list.
Located in Duffy’s Forest, it offers a wide range of services that include licencing, coaching and a professional practice range. There you can practice trap shooting, sporting clays, ISSF Olympic Trap and skeet.
The layouts of its outdoor range are well equipped and maintained. Even the grounds are immaculately tendered to lawn bowls or golf levels.
If you hold a firearm license and want to interact socially with other like-minded people, as well as brush up on your shooting skills, this is the place for you.
Address: 131 Booralie Rd, Duffys Forest NSW 2084
Phone: (02) 9450 1775
Trading Hours: Wed 2 pm – 7:30 pm, Sat 10 am – 4 pm
3. Sydney Clay Target Club
When it was launched in the 1930s The Sydney Clay Target Club was an instant hit. Back then it was known as the Sydney Gun Club, but after a subsequent rebrand, it changed its name.
Set within a stately venue that radiates a certain country manor charm, this venue has hosted many competitions – often for very big prizes – as well as corporate functions. It is also a popular spot for both bucks and hen parties, as well as birthdays and other celebratory events.
As you would expect from an institution that has been in operation for 10 different decades, this is a trusted destination for many who enjoy the thrill of shooting targets.
Address: Heathcote Rd, Lucas Heights NSW 2234
Phone: +61 435 201 102
Trading Hours: Wed 12 – 5 pm, Fri 5 – 10 pm, Sun 9 am – 5 pm
4. St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre
The St Marys Indoor Shooting Centre is one place you shouldn’t head to if you suffer from hoplophobia. However, if you are a gun aficionado then it is a place you will definitely want to go to.
Comprising a dealership that offers supplies made by some of the world’s leading manufacturers, the centre is notable for its state-of-the-art technology.
This includes target carriers for rimfire, centrefire and pistol shooting that are controlled electronically and can be set at varying distances of between 7 and 50 metres.
They also stock a huge range of ammo as well as clothing, accessories, scopes, firearm safes and knives. They even have onsite facilities for firearm storage their members can use too.
Address: 30 Power St, St Marys NSW 1790
Phone: (02) 8889 0406
Trading Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 10 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm
5. Marconi Clay Target Club
While its name wouldn’t have looked out of place in The Sopranos, Marconi Clay Target Club is a shooting range any enthusiast should visit.
For more than 50 years this establishment has prided itself on being the premier destination for clay target shooting in Sydney.
Run by some of the friendliest and most professional people in the business, their exceptional service and facilities give them a competitive edge over other venues on this list.
Whether you go on your own or as part of a corporate group you are sure to have a very enjoyable experience and be well looked after.
Address: 228 Heathcote Rd, Sydney NSW 2234
Phone: (02) 9774 5223
Trading Hours: Wed 11 am – 4 pm, Fri 6 pm – 11 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm
6. Holroyd Rifle Range & Pigeon Club
Despite being well established, the Holroyd Rifle Range and Pigeon Club still fly under the radar for some gun lovers.
Situated in Greystanes, it forms part of the SSAA (Sporting Shooters Association of Australia). For those who are aware of it, their chance to operate .22 rimfire rifles using standard velocity ammo is one they want to grab, literally, with both hands.
Casual shooters are encouraged, assuming they have the proper licence and every Sunday night the venue runs the highly competitive International Rimfire Benchrest competition.
Address: 2a Hyland Rd, Greystanes NSW 2145
Phone: (02) 8078 4438
Trading Hours: Fri 6 pm – 9 pm, Sun 6 pm – 9 pm
7. Auburn Shooting Academy
The Auburn Shooting Academy prides itself on being one of the best indoor shooting galleries in Sydney.
Presenting options for both pistols and handguns, they offer 3 indoor ranges that span 25 metres. Each of them has 19 lanes and features targets that are electronically controlled.
In addition to the shooting lanes they also have a very good set-up for archery as well as a comfortable members’ lounge to relax in.
If you don’t have a licence, The Academy also runs ‘Try-Shoot days’ to encourage new participants and members.
Address: 16-18 Byrne St, Auburn NSW 2144
Phone: (02) 9737 9099
Trading Hours: Mon – Thur 12 – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 1 pm
8. ANZAC Rifle Range
Also falling under the umbrella of the SSAA is the ANZAC Rifle Range.
Well known for being the NSW Rifle Association’s main headquarters, it runs several competitions throughout the year.
Boasting a rather surreptitious vibe, some people have likened the venue to Area 51 in terms of its security and has a distinct CIA feel to it.
Notwithstanding, they do provide you with the opportunity to shoot rimfire rifles, .22 rifles and centrefire rifles that run to 8 mm.
It also runs a well-stocked shop where members and those who carry a license can buy supplies like ammo or other shooting gear and accessories.
Address: Franklin St, Malabar NSW 2036
Phone: (02) 9661 4532
Trading Hours: Tue – Thur 9 am – 3 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
9. Hornsby Rifle Range
The Hornsby Rifle Range is undoubtedly one of the most congenial shooting venues on this list.
For a start, it is set with a very green and open environment, as opposed to a dingy basement in a dark indoor range. It is also full of people who enjoy a nice sausage sizzle whenever a competition is run.
Overall there are four targets you can aim at between 300 and 800 metres in distance. There is also a bench rest at the 50-metre mark on the 100-metre range, as well as field positions and bench rests at 100 metres, 200 metres and 300 metres.
Members can compete across three disciplines of target shooting. This includes F-Class, F-Class Open and Target Rifle.
Address: Rosamond St, Hornsby NSW 2077
Phone: +61 417 201 606
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 9 – 4:30 pm
10. St Ives Pistol Club
One of the most distinguished venues on this list is the St Ives Pistol Club.
An institution in Sydney, it has hosted everything from service pistol matches and International Practical Shooting Confederation events to Olympic shooting disciplines ever since it first opened in the 1970s.
Running a wide range of competitions that cater to participants of all skill levels, some of the members here compete on an international, national or state level. So you can be sure the facilities are top notch.
One of the very best shooting ranges in Sydney, it is run by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced staff in the industry.
Address: 437 Mona Vale Rd, Belrose NSW 2085
Email: (02) 8889 0406
Trading Hours: Mon – Fri 9-5 pm, Sat – Sun 8 – 6 pm
11. Sydney International Shooting Centre
Specifically constructed for the Sydney Olympics of 2000, the Sydney International Shooting Centre is one of the best facilities in the city.
Set on 80 hectares of picturesque, semi-rural bushland, it runs a number of major events throughout the year.
For those who hold a shooting licence, there are three ranges of 10-, 25- and 50 metres in length for
them to practice on. If you don’t possess one, but want to give the practice a go, you can take part in their Try Shooting Program by way of an introduction.
Address: Range Rd, Cecil Park NSW 2178
Phone: (02) 8782 0100
Trading Hours: Tue 9 – 5 pm, Wed 9 – 10 pm, Thur 9 – 5 pm, Fri 9 – 10 pm, Sat – Sun 9 – 5 pm
12. Silverdale Rifle Range
The Silverdale Rifle Range is a popular destination for many gun enthusiasts due to the wide range of firearms you can use at their facility.
This includes shotgun silhouettes, single-action shots, pistols and rimfire flys. The range is considerable in size, so, to avoid it getting too noisy all areas are kept undercover and sound muffled.
The air-conditioned clubhouse has a concession section where members can buy ammunition. From time to time they even run a caping and deer butchering course for hunters.
Address: Avoca Rd, Silverdale NSW 2752
Phone: (02) 4653 1440
Trading Hours: Mon – Sun 9 am – 3:45 pm
13. Southern Highlands Rifle Club
Ok, so it is not technically in Sydney. Rather an hour’s drive from it, but the Southern Highlands Rifle Club is well worth visiting.
Found within the Hill Top Rifle Range, it offers shooting ranges that span from 20 to 800 metres. Within them, you can take part in a range of disciplines including target rifle, F class and rimfire. With these activities are tailored depending on your particular level of skill.
The longer 800-metre range enables members to brush up on their long distance shooting. It also hosts competitions and events for different calibres of rifles including 8 mm centrefire rifles and air rifles.
They have recently introduced a new 50-metre and 500 metres range that further strengthens their position as one of the best shooting ranges in (or near) Sydney.
Address: Wattle Ridge Rd, Hill Top NSW 2575
Phone: +61 412 406 337
Trading Hours: Sat 9 am – 4 pm