Sydney/Parramatta

Parramatta is a western district of Sydney, a city in its own right within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and the second oldest European settlement on the Australian mainland.

It's 24 km from Sydney CBD and 6 km from Sydney Olympic Park. Parramatta is the demographic heart of the Harbour City, and one of its most historic neighbourhoods.

Understand
A significant commercial area on the upper reaches of the Parramatta River. The traditional owners are the Barramatugal Aboriginal people, part of the Darug clan. First called Rose Hill by the Europeans, it was later renamed to reflect the Aboriginal people and was likely a variation on Barramatugal.

Parramatta was the earliest vice-regal home of colonial Sydney. An agricultural settlement was established there within weeks of the first fleet arriving from Britain. The present-day Sydney CBD was established as the colony's port settlement to service the more desirable Parramatta which became the preferred home of governors and the privileged free settlers in the early years of the colony. Sydney soon began to eclipse Parramatta in both size and importance over the next century; however, it was the establishment of Parramatta that allowed the future global city to survive and then thrive. Eventually, Parramatta ceased being regarded as a separate town and became the centre of Western Sydney. It is now recognised as Sydney's "Second CBD" with many companies and state government departments having their headquarters and offices in the rapidly consolidating city.

Parramatta is again looking to its waterfront as a centre of community activity, with the new Powerhouse Museum being built on its banks. The city celebrates its vibrant multicultural community, and Church Street at night makes it one of the best places to dine in Sydney. Most of Australia's earliest colonial buildings remain standing, and in fact there are more heritage listed buildings in Parramatta than Sydney's historic Rocks quarter.

Parramatta has elegant parks and other attractions that make it an important destination within Greater Sydney. The ferry trip under the Harbour Bridge and up the Parramatta River makes the trip to Parramatta worthwhile for the journey itself.

Climate
Parramatta's climate is similar to coastal Sydney, but the cooling effect of the sea breeze on hot summer days does not reach it. Being further inland makes Parramatta on average a few degrees cooler in winter and a few warmer in summer. Rainfall overall tends to be slightly less too.

By car
Parramatta is next to the M4 Western Motorway (toll; need an E-Toll tag or call them to pay). Parramatta is well signposted from the motorway. Surrounding suburbs also have signposted exits from the city.

If you are in no hurry you can use Victoria Rd or Parramatta Rd. Traffic between Sydney City and Parramatta during peak hours can be extremely slow. Easily twice as long as the time taken for the trip during off-peak times.

By train
Parramatta is well served by T1 Western Line trains to Central Sydney & the North Shore. Trains run at least every 10 minutes and take 30 minutes for the trip. From the City, single fares cost $4.95 peak with Opal.

Penrith, Blacktown, Richmond and Strathfield are also on the T1 Western Line, making trips to these centres quick and simple. Trains to and from the Blue Mountains on the Blue Mountains Line also stop at Parramatta.

There is also the T2 Inner West line which stops at all the smaller Inner West stops like Newtown or Ashfield.

Connections to Liverpool can be made on the T5 Cumberland Line which travels directly to Liverpool. Sydney Olympic Park can be reached by changing at Lidcombe for the "Olympic Sprint" train.

By bus
Parramatta is a hub for many buses, which operate from a bus interchange near the station. If you are coming from the city, or near a train station, the train will usually be quicker than the bus.

See Transport Info for the best route from where you are.


 * 501 and 500X bus operate every 15-30mins from Haymarket via Pitt St and Victoria Road. It's major half way point is either Top Ryde shops or West Ryde train station. The trip takes over an hour end-to-end.
 * The 550 bus offers a frequent service to Macquarie Park via Epping, but again, if you are doing the entire trip from Macquarie Park it is quicker to get the train.
 * The North-West T-Way is a dedicated bus route to link Parramatta to Rouse Hill, and the Liverpool-Parramatta T-Way links Parramatta with Liverpool via Bonnyrigg.
 * Metrobuses M92, M91 connect to Hurstville in Southern Sydney and Sutherland. Again, if you're going the distance, the train will be quicker.
 * The 600 links the Hills District and Hornsby.

By ferry
The Rivercat ferry service runs between Circular Quay and the Parramatta Wharf. Its a very pretty and relaxing way for a traveller to visit. It takes a fair bit longer and costs more than the train, if you have already "done" the harbour. Note that the ferry will not go all the way to Parramatta when river levels are too low, and you will have to swap to a bus at Rydalmere. It is about five minutes walk to the centre of Parramatta from the wharf.

At $7.35 for a one-way trip, it is an expensive trip or a cheap 30-minute harbour cruise, depending on which way you look at it.

By bicycle
The Parramatta Valley cycleway offers off-road and quiet road cycling to Parramatta from Sydney Olympic Park and Putney. It is quite well signposted, and should be possible to cycle without a map. It has pretty sections following the Parramatta river from Putney and Sydney Olympic Park as far as Rydalmere, passing by University of Western Sydney and a small industrial area before the residential streets of Parramatta. It would be quite possible to hire bicycles from Sydney Olympic Park and cycle to Parramatta if you would like a bit of a ride. The bicycle will come in handy to see the sights of Parramatta as well.

Starting from Pyrmont Bridge in the city, and following the signed route towards Drummoyne, Gladesville, Putney and then Parramatta it is also possible to cycle from the City to Parramatta on off-road or on quiet roads, the circuitous route is nearly 30 km, but you miss the a couple of hairy sections around Concord that the more direct route encounters.

Although not as scenic, the Parramatta to Liverpool Railtrail links Parramatta with Liverpool on largely off-road paths. The off-road cycleway extends from Parramatta all the way to Windsor through Westmead and along Old Windsor Road.

By bus

 * Route 900 is the free shuttle bus. The bus runs every ten minutes around a loop that covers most areas of the city, indicator boards on the bus make it easy to find your stop. Operates M-F 07:00-18:30, Sa 08:00-16:00, and stops at:
 * Parramatta Station (Darcy Street, other side of the station from Westfield).
 * Westfield (Argyle Street) Westfield shopping Centre, Church Street Mall/
 * Law Courts (Marsden Street - south) Parramatta Park
 * Cathedral (Marsden Street - north) St Patricks Cathedral, Prince Alfred Park, Riverside Theatres
 * Leagues Club (OConnell Street) Parramatta Swimming Centre, Parramatta Stadium and Leagues Club, Parramatta Park
 * Church Street North (Church Street - north)
 * Prince Alfred Park (Church Street - mid) Prince Alfred Park, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta Heritage and Visitors Centre
 * Lennox Bridge (Church Street - south) Eat Street, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta Heritage and Visitors Centre, River Walk
 * Phillip Street (Phillip Street - west) Retail, Eat Street and Dining
 * The Wharf (Phillip Street - east) Parramatta Wharf -Rivercat Terminal, River Walk, Harris Park Heritage Walk
 * Charles Street, Commercial Offices
 * Macquarie Street, Post Office, Commercial Services and Retail, Lancer Barracks and Military Museum

By foot
The CBD area of Parramatta is quite small and can be easily walked.

By train
Parramatta has one main railway station. Its suburbs of Harris Park, Granville and Westmead also have railway stations.

Westmead station is on the T1 Western Line and can be accessed by taking a train west from Parramatta (towards Blacktown, Penrith, or Richmond). Harris Park and Granville are also on the Western Line and can be accessed by taking a train east from Parramatta (towards the city). You can walk to Rosehill from Parramatta in less than half an hour, and to Harris Park in around 15 minutes.

By car
There is a general shortage of on-street and free parking in Parramatta. Expect to have difficulty parking in the CBD on weekdays, and near the shops on weekends. Paid parking is usually available and is considerably cheaper than in the Sydney CBD. Westfield has free parking for the first two hours.

See
The Parramatta Tourist information and Heritage Centre is where Church St crosses the river at Lennox Bridge. It has a free exhibition showing the history of Parramatta from colonial to modern times.

Historical landmarks
As Parramatta was the first site of European settlement outside Sydney it contains many historical landmarks. How interesting this is to you will depend on your historical perspective. The oldest buildings here date to the colonial settlement in the early to mid 1800s. Old Government House and Elizabeth Farm are the two primary historical sites.

Open to visit





 * Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street Mall. Built in 1883 in classic Victorian architectural style, the town hall is still used by council.
 * Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street Mall. Built in 1883 in classic Victorian architectural style, the town hall is still used by council.
 * Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street Mall. Built in 1883 in classic Victorian architectural style, the town hall is still used by council.
 * Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street Mall. Built in 1883 in classic Victorian architectural style, the town hall is still used by council.
 * Parramatta Town Hall, 182 Church Street Mall. Built in 1883 in classic Victorian architectural style, the town hall is still used by council.

There are also historical sites at Queens Wharf, and Parramatta Park. See the Parks listings below.

Historical properties now used for commercial purposes

 * Harrisford, George Street. Original site of the Kings School
 * Kia Ora House, at 64 Macquarie Street. This house was built by James Houison in the 1840s.
 * Former Cumberland Building, Land and Investment Company (now a restaurant). Built in the year 1889 to resemble the famous... “ Santa Maria Del Fiore” (The Florence Cathedral – Our lady of the Flower) in Florence Italy. It is now Liana's Restaurant (see Eat below).
 * Former Cumberland Building, Land and Investment Company (now a restaurant). Built in the year 1889 to resemble the famous... “ Santa Maria Del Fiore” (The Florence Cathedral – Our lady of the Flower) in Florence Italy. It is now Liana's Restaurant (see Eat below).

Historical properties now used for public purposes

 * Female Orphan School, on the Parramatta Campus (Cnr James Ruse Drive & Victoria Rd) of the Western Sydney University (WSU). It was the first purpose-built charitable institution in Australia, and is Australia’s oldest three-storey masonry building. The building now contains the Whitlam Institute. You can catch the train getting off at Rydalmere station or via bus from Parramatta City - Sydney Bus Routes 501, 523 and 524 operate between Parramatta railway station and the campus.
 * Female Factory- Australia's first convict establishment for women and children, completed in 1821. By public transport the best way to get there is by the loop bus getting off at stop 5.
 * Parramatta Gaol - Parramatta Correctional Centre was Australia's oldest serving Correctional Centre. Parramatta Gaol was proclaimed on 2 January 1842 with progressive opening of wings up until approximately 1910. It is located on the Cnr of Dunlop and New Streets North Parramatta. The centre was decomissioned in 2011, and given to the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council, who left the gaol cells in the same state as the last inmates in 2011. Ghost Tours are run on an occasional basis (at least once per month). Bookings are essential.
 * Cumberland Hospital - this is a vast site of historic buildings. Next to the Female Factory, it is divided into an east and west precinct. It is located at Fleet St Parramatta, though the main entrance is off Hawkesbury Rd Westmead (near the Children's Hospital). Look particularly at Glengariff House, the hospital superintendent’s former residence; this grand building now houses the museum of the Cumberland Hospital. The hospital grounds also contain the Wisteria Gardens which adjoin Parramatta Park.

Parks






Cemeteries

 * St Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, corner of Church St & Pennant Hills Rd, dates from Governor Macquarie’s time.
 * St Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, corner of Church St & Pennant Hills Rd, dates from Governor Macquarie’s time.

Bridges


Parramatta River runs through the Parramatta CBD. There is a weir at Charles Street which is the limit of navigation from Sydney. Between the Charles Street Weir and the O'Connell Street Weir the river is really only a wide canal, though there are a number of pleasant riverside walks including walks by the northern bank by the Riverside Theatres and on the south bank through the new Justice Precinct. The river widens upstream of the O'Connell Street Weir. There is another weir damming the river further upstream in Parramatta Park. There are a large number of bridges spanning the river, in the city centre. In order they are -


 * Charles Street Weir, marks the upper reaches of the present day tidal influence on the river, you can walk along the river from here until the Marsden St Bridge.
 * Barry Wilde Bridge, crosses the Parramatta River at Smith Street. Prior to the construction of the Charles Street Weir this was the uppermost reaches of the tidal influence of the Parramatta River.
 * Marsden Street Bridge.
 * Marsden Street Weir, this weir holds back the Parramatta River and was the source of Parramatta's first water supply built under instruction from Governor Macquarie. The current weir is not the original weir. Prior to the Marsden Street bridge being constructed the weir was the Marsen Street crossing but frequently flooded.
 * Marsden Street Bridge.
 * Marsden Street Weir, this weir holds back the Parramatta River and was the source of Parramatta's first water supply built under instruction from Governor Macquarie. The current weir is not the original weir. Prior to the Marsden Street bridge being constructed the weir was the Marsen Street crossing but frequently flooded.
 * Marsden Street Weir, this weir holds back the Parramatta River and was the source of Parramatta's first water supply built under instruction from Governor Macquarie. The current weir is not the original weir. Prior to the Marsden Street bridge being constructed the weir was the Marsen Street crossing but frequently flooded.

Events
Foundation Day in early November celebrates (appropriately enough) the foundation of Parramatta.

Parramasala - the Australian Festival of South Asian Arts

Walks

 * Riverside Walk - a walk along the Parramatta River from the Ferry Wharf to the Lennox Bridge in one direction and from the ferry wharf to the Gasworks bridge in the other direction. It shows the history of the area from an indigenous perspective, featuring indigenous interpretive art. Near the Gasworks bridge a giant artwork is a re-interpretation of a colonial military Sentry Box which used to stand near the artworks location in the first years of the British colony.

Cinemas

 * Event Cinemas - cinema multiplex including gold class cinemas, located at Westfield Parramatta

To play

 * Golf, at Parramatta Golf Course, Ryde Parramatta Golf Course or Fox Hills Golf Course
 * Swimming at Parramatta & Granville Swimming Pools are outdoor swimming pools, in a more old fashioned Australian style. Parramatta pool is next to Parramatta Park. There are two water slides for kids, at $2.50 for six slides. There is a diving pool, and a shaded and heated wading pool for toddlers.

Shopping malls

 * Church St is the main street shopping strip in Parramatta CBD. This area struggled for many years to compete with the large enclosed shopping malls, and can be a little dingy, but makes a change from the environmentally controlled alternatives. Church Street is a mall between the railway and Macquarie Street. It contains a number of arcades including the Queensland Arcade, Connection Arcade and Greenway Arcade
 * Church St is the main street shopping strip in Parramatta CBD. This area struggled for many years to compete with the large enclosed shopping malls, and can be a little dingy, but makes a change from the environmentally controlled alternatives. Church Street is a mall between the railway and Macquarie Street. It contains a number of arcades including the Queensland Arcade, Connection Arcade and Greenway Arcade

Markets

 * North Rocks Bring & Buy Markets - market for second hand goods such as tools, clothing, plants, bric-a-brac and books etc. Average 110 stalls. Markets are held every Sunday from 07:00 to 13:00. Entry by donation to Rotary charities. Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children (carpark), North Rocks Road, North Rocks (opposite Westfield Shopping Centre)

Eat
Parramatta has many restaurants, from the budget to upmarket. $50 mains are certainly not uncommon in the nicer establishments, so if you are on a budget, check the menu carefully.

Restaurants are located in three broad precincts plus nearby Harris Park and Parramatta Park/Westmead:

Eat Street
Eat Street is at the northern end of Church Street. The largest number of restaurants are between Phillip Street and Market Street.

Phillip Street/George Street
Phillip Street and George Street run east-west from Marsden Street down to the ferry wharf.

South Church Street
South Church Street is south of the railway line and north of the Great Western Highway. Heading away from the railway down Church Street is a small Chinatown.
 * Tomadachi (Sushi), Argyle St
 * Sahara (Turkish), Argyle St
 * XIC LO (Vietnamese), Argyle St
 * Twenty-one Fifty, located in the Marriott Hotel at 18 Anderson Street
 * Twenty-one Fifty, located in the Marriott Hotel at 18 Anderson Street

Harris Park
Harris Park is to the east of Parramatta, it has its own railway station but is within easy walking distance of Parramatta. It is famed for its Indian restaurants.
 * The Olive (Greek), 44 Marion Street, Harris Park
 * The Olive (Greek), 44 Marion Street, Harris Park
 * The Olive (Greek), 44 Marion Street, Harris Park
 * The Olive (Greek), 44 Marion Street, Harris Park

Parramatta Park & Westmead
Parramatta Park is at the western end of the city. Westmead is located to the west of Parramatta, on the other side of Parramatta Park.

Pubs
There are pubs galore in Parramatta.


 * Westmead Tavern, 24 Railway Parade, Westmead
 * General RW Bourke, 76 Church Street
 * Hotel Parramatta, 10 Darcy Street
 * Royal Oak Hotel, 387 Church Street
 * Westmead Tavern, 24 Railway Parade, Westmead
 * General RW Bourke, 76 Church Street
 * Hotel Parramatta, 10 Darcy Street
 * Royal Oak Hotel, 387 Church Street
 * General RW Bourke, 76 Church Street
 * Hotel Parramatta, 10 Darcy Street
 * Royal Oak Hotel, 387 Church Street

Budget

 * Parramatta Central Motel, 32 Station Street Harris Park

Near Rosehill
The following hotels are all located along James Ruse Drive or just off it, close to both Rosehill Racecourse and about 5 minutes drive from the City centre


 * Rydges Parramatta Sydney, 116 James Ruse Dr. - Rydges Parramatta is in Parramatta.
 * Waldorf
 * UWS Village, located next to the University of Western Sydney, this venue specialises in group accommodation
 * UWS Village, located next to the University of Western Sydney, this venue specialises in group accommodation

Near Westmead

 * Best Western Westmead

Connect
Parramatta has well developed contact facilities. Internet cafes, public phones, all 3G mobile networks, post offices, are all readily available. Parramatta library offers Internet facilities.

Go next

 * If you are staying in Parramatta you have a 30-minute headstart to the Blue Mountains over those staying in the city.
 * Cumberland State Forest is an urban forest at 95 Castle Hill Road Pennant Hills.
 * Fairfield is a multicultural suburb southwest of Parramatta, which is a 15-minute train ride (Cumberland Line).