Parramatta Park

Sydney


This 85-hectare riverside park has a democratic feel as locals descend on it to run, laze, picnic or go to a concert or other events. The site of successful 18th-century attempts to grow food for the new colony, it was appropriated as a type of country estate by the governors before being given over to the public in 1858. Its important colonial-historical remnants include Old Government House, a dairy dating from 1813, a ruined observatory and an elegant former bathhouse.

Tours to visit the dairy ($12) run monthly and by appointment; check dates online.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sydney attractions

1. Old Government House

0.16 MILES

The country residence of the early governors, this elegant Georgian Palladian building in Parramatta Park is now a preciously maintained museum furnished…

2. St John’s Cemetery

0.47 MILES

Australia's oldest colonial cemetery, these open lawns are the resting place of many an early settler. There's a map at the entrance gate with some…

3. Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

0.64 MILES

One of the key pieces of Parramatta's riverside development will be this museum, which will move much of the collection of the current Powerhouse Museum…

4. Parramatta Square

0.67 MILES

This $2 billion project is the centrepiece of Parramatta's major redevelopment and features office towers, a university campus and public space, built to…

5. Experiment Farm Cottage

1.18 MILES

This colonial bungalow stands on the site of Australia's first official land grant. In 1789 Governor Phillip allocated 12 hectares to emancipated convict…

6. Hambledon Cottage

1.25 MILES

Surrounded by 200-year-old camphor laurels and English oaks, this historic cottage was built in 1824 for the Macarthurs’ daughter’s governess and was…

7. Elizabeth Farm

1.49 MILES

Elizabeth Farm contains part of Australia’s oldest surviving colonial building (1793), built by renegade pastoralist and rum trader John Macarthur…

8. ANZ Stadium

4.66 MILES

The former Stadium Australia was custom-built for the 2000 Olympics. It could originally accommodate 110,000 people, but following the games its capacity…