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Home , Elizabeth Farm, Experiment Farm Cottage, Hambledon Cottage, History of Australia, James Ruse, North Parramatta

DISCOVER SPOTLIGHT ON 'S City of stories p6

WHAT TO DO: HERITAGE HOTSPOTS Living history p10 “PARRAMATTA IS A CITY STEEPED IN HISTORY. THE AREA IS A GREAT PLACE TO EXPLORE LOCAL ABORIGINAL CULTURE.”

For more on Indigenous history, turn to page 18 18

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WELCOME CONTENTS

Australia’s second city. Aboriginal heritage site. Food bowl of the What’s new in Parramatta? colony. Geographical centre of . However you describe Local news and insight .... p2 Parramatta, it’s clear to see its importance to Sydney, the Parramatta: A historical history of and the people of this great city. timeline ...... p4 When you explore the incredible heritage of Parramatta, you’ll Discover the stories of the understand the importance of this region, which has for too long city’s history ...... p6 been underappreciated. Whether you’re learning of Aboriginal culture, seeing some of the earliest colonial buildings remaining Explore Parramatta’s heritage precincts ...... p10 in Australia, touring public art or dining in the surrounds of the first country home of the Governors of , you’ll See both contemporary and be sure to find something incredible. Indigenous culture ...... p18 There’s also plenty of contemporary culture to pique your Filmmaker Mike Chin talks interest and dining hotspots to sate that appetite you’ve built up. of this creative city ...... p22 This guide is your ultimate resource for heritage and activities in Festivals, community events Parramatta. Look out for Taste, the dining guide, and Explore, the and important dates ...... p24 activity map, for a comprehensive look at Parramatta. Find your way around with • • this city map ...... p26

Getting here and getting Discover, Taste and Explore Parramatta are published by Hardie Grant Media on behalf of . around ...... p28 Hardie Grant Media takes all care researching information for this publication but dates, prices, maps and times are subject to change. (c) All material contained in this publication is protected by Australian copyright regulations.

Coranderrk. Photo: Tyson Mowarin Tyson Photo: Coranderrk. All photos by Chris Elfes and Mark Bowyer unless credited.

DISCOVER 1 NEWS What’s happening on the rich cultural scene in Parramatta?

TROPFEST’S NEW HOME Australia’s most prestigious short film festival, Tropfest, is coming to Parramatta Park on Saturday 11 February 2017. The popular festival, which was established in Sydney, is relocating from Centennial Park, which City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick says “will give the event room to grow and prosper and will enable a whole new audience to discover the future stars of Australian film”. The festival is expected to attract 50,000 people “THE DAIRY COTTAGE to the heart of Sydney. “Great cities have great DATES BACK TO 1796, WHEN IT festivals and this is a chance for Parramatta to be WAS BUILT BY AN EX-CONVICT part of one of the world’s best-loved film festivals,” TURNED CATTLEMAN." Chadwick says. Discover more events in Parramatta with our calendar on page 24.

“Parramatta has become such an incredibly exciting part of Sydney. The city is the geographical centre of the city, so it makes sense to hold a big event like Tropfest here – allowing people from all around to come together and celebrate Australia’s most exciting new filmmakers and storytellers. “Parramatta is also becoming a real creative hub, DAIRY COTTAGE OPENS with many filmmakers, artists and creators calling The Dairy Cottage has reopened to the public, allowing the area home. When we started to discuss moving visitors to step inside one of three surviving 18th-century Tropfest to Parramatta, I was stunned at how short houses in Australia. Parramatta Park’s Dairy Precinct the train ride was from Sydney’s CBD. As soon as I has completed a conservation project which saw the laid eyes on Parramatta Park, I knew we’d found our Dairy and Rangers’ Cottages refreshed. new home – hopefully for years to come. I can’t wait “The preservation of the cottages is vital to to introduce our die-hard audience to Parramatta enhancing our knowledge of convict settlement in Park, and to find a new audience. I’m looking forward NSW,” says Suellen Fitzgerald, Executive Director, to being at Parramatta Park in February 2017 for Parramatta Park Trust. Tropfest’s 25th birthday celebration!” The Dairy Cottage dates back to 1796, when it was built – John Polson, Founder and Director, Tropfest by an ex-convict turned cattleman. It was later converted into a dairy by Governor Macquarie in the early 1800s.

2 DISCOVER #PARRAMATTA

@emessbee @historyofsydney Old Government House Precinct

THE POWERHOUSE OF PARRAMATTA The foreshore of the has been selected as the site for the new Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS). Located near Parramatta’s CBD, the museum will showcase exhibitions spanning history, science, technology, design, industry, the arts, music, transport and space exploration in a state-of- @glenn_actually @discoverparramatta the-art institution. NSW Premier Mike Baird says this is Cycling the local area Parramatta Post Office an ideal site for an iconic museum. “Locating the Powerhouse at Parramatta will ensure Western Sydney has a new, world-class cultural institution that will be a major drawcard for visitors,” he says.

“There’s incredible heritage in Parramatta, and it’s easy to become immersed in the continuous @_danielmulder_ @sydlivmus culture of Aboriginal people and their Kayaking Cottage stories, and more recent colonial heritage. “It’s clear to see how important this area was Follow the City of Parramatta on social media for to colonial settlers when you walk around Old regular updates. Hashtag your Instagram shots with Government House, Elizabeth Farm and convict #discoverparramatta to be reposted! buildings within the Female Factory. It’s fascinating to compare the past to the present day, and be surprised by the similarities, as well as stark contrasts.” – Toner Stephenson, Sydney Living Museums, Elizabeth Farm Cottage visitparramatta @visitparramatta

DISCOVER 3 arramatta may be Australia’s More recently, not long after 60,000 P second-oldest city, but it has the arrived in Sydney much more ancient origins than in 1788, Governor Arthur YEARS IN that. Situated on the Parramatta Phillip realised the colony was River, it has been home to the dangerously vulnerable to THE MAKING people for more than starvation. In search of fertile 60,000 years as a rich and fertile farming land, an expedition found Tens of thousands of source of food and a place to the ideal place to produce food years of history make gather. From the river to the for the settlement of Sydney: the rolling hills of the Cumberland Parramatta River foreshore. up today’s Parramatta. Plains, it provided strategic Phillip sent farmers Henry What are the stories vantage points and locations Dodd and to prove that make the city unique? to interact and trade. how settlers could, with minimal

THE DARUG NATION HAS OCCUPIED AND MANAGED THE LANDS AND WATERS OF PARRAMATTA FOR SOME 60,000 YEARS AND HAS A CONTEMPORARY ONGOING CONNECTION TO COUNTRY.

1789 sits on one 1799 of the most important parcels of land Old Government House in the founding of NSW. It was here that was built by convict labour Governor Phillip issued the first land grant and used by the first 10 to former convict James Ruse in 1789. The NSW Governors as a existing cottage was built in the mid-1830s. country residence.

1793 Elizabeth Farm, Australia’s 1815 oldest surviving European The Parramatta Native dwelling, was constructed by Institution was established John Macarthur, a pioneer by Governor Macquarie of Australia’s industry. in 1815 to educate the 1791 local Aboriginal people 1788 The oldest existing European burial ground in in the ways of colonial Governor Phillip travelled Australia, St John’s Cemetery contains the “civilisation”. The institution upriver and discovered remains of notable persons associated with the later moved to Blacktown fertile lands that became of the colony. The earliest headstone and became influential in the foundation for is for Henry Dodd, who was responsible for future harmful Government Australia’s second European overseeing the convicts at Government Farm, policies and laws for settlement at Parramatta. which is now Parramatta Park, and died in 1791. Aboriginal peoples.

4 resources and a drive to survive, the station and a new wave of be self-sufficient, to great success. commercial development began, Governor Phillip had a grand leading to new industry and ambition for Parramatta. Laid out economic development. with Georgian town planning Today, all of these are principles, it became Australia’s woven into a new global city, first grid city, the site of the first though Parramatta is not leaving Government House and home its past behind. It’s still possible to to Australia’s first 10 Governors. experience these stories through With the arrival of the first the incredible heritage sites in the train line connecting Parramatta city, and there are excellent ways to Sydney in 1850, the city’s for locals and visitors to witness focus shifted from the river to this living history for themselves. Burramatta Point

1821 Brislington Medical and Nursing Museum 1818 was constructed in 1821 for ex-convict John Commissioned by Hodges using money won in a card game at 1858 Governor Macquarie, the the nearby Woolpack Inn. In 1857 Dr Walter Parramatta Park is one of Female Orphan School Brown took up residence, naming the house Australia’s most historically provided a basic education “Brislington” after his hometown in Bristol, significant public parks. to orphaned, convict and England. Three generations of the Brown Inaugurated in 1858, it Indigenous females. For family, spanning 94 years, practised medicine sits on 85 hectares of a century from the 1880s, at the residence. From 1949 it was used land designated as the the Female Orphan School as a nurses’ home, then as self-contained Governor’s Domain soon was used as a hospital for accommodation for resident medical officers after the founding of the the mentally ill. of Parramatta Hospital. colony in 1788.

1852 1820 Church services have been held at the site of Lancer Barracks is the St John’s Cathedral since the late 1790s, making oldest continuous military it the oldest continuous place of Christian worship installation on the Australian in Australia. The present-day sandstone cathedral mainland. Planned by was built in 1852, however the two distinctive Governor Macquarie, it towers, still standing today, were added to was completed in 1820. The an earlier structure in 1818. museum in the barracks grounds documents the 1824 history of the Lancers, Built in 1824, was part Australia’s oldest and most of John Macarthur’s Elizabeth Farm estate. It decorated military unit, from was used as additional accommodation by the Boer War to the present. the Macarthur family and their friends.

DISCOVER 5 HISTORY IN THE PRESENT

Telling stories of feast and famine, hard work and history-making, Parramatta’s landmarks make for a fascinating day out By Jac Taylor

6 Left: Old Government House was the country home of 10 early NSW Governors.

atching the cosmopolitan W bustle of Parramatta’s more than 230,000 residents, plus thousands of workers, shoppers and foodies who visit every week, it’s hard to imagine this place as a foreign and probably somewhat frightening land. However, due to the city’s continued dedication to preserving its built and natural heritage, it doesn’t take much to picture this important area as its first English settlers must have seen it. Of course, Parramatta’s history stretches back far beyond the arrival of Europeans. As the First Fleet arrived from Britain in 1788, setting foot on the land in and proclaiming it theirs, the Aboriginal Darug people already knew this more western region as their home of Burramatta, named after the eels of Parramatta River (the roar of the crowds watching local football heroes the Parramatta Eels in small part commemorates this part of the city’s history). Thanks to its prime position, away from the sandy soil of Sydney Cove and right where the river turns to fresh water, the fleet chose Parramatta as the second settling place for the nascent colony just 10 months later. Spend some time in today’s Parramatta Park and you’ll see the curved hill cradling the river where Governor

DISCOVER 7 15 months and was granted 12 hectares of land as a reward. See where this feat was accomplished at Experiment Farm Cottage, nearby in Harris Park. Within walking distance of the farm is a historical precinct of sorts; Hambledon Cottage, built in 1824, is a beautifully furnished home in mid-1800s style, while Elizabeth Farm, built in 1793, was home to the wealthiest landowners of the colony and wool pioneers the Macarthurs. The homestead is now a hands- Phillip himself stood and claimed A visit to Parramatta Heritage on museum, where every part the area as an essential farming and Visitor Information can be touched and enjoyed. land that would feed the Sydney Centre on Church Street to see These sites are all on a clearly colony. The hill was marked by a exhibitions, maps and records signposted Historic Houses Walk, house that grew to become Old sets you up to continue your which begins at Parramatta River Government House, Australia’s exploration through history – just Ferry Wharf and goes for 6.5 oldest-surviving public building follow the trails that lead to the kilometres, also visiting Lancer and one visitors can still enjoy dozens of historic sites here. Barracks. Here visitors can see as a museum and dining spot. A favourite is the tale of former history in action, with an active Nearby is an easily recognisable convict James Ruse – one that’s Australian cavalry brigade still in circular structure; The Bath deserving of a Hollywood movie. training at the barracks, as it has House, which is often linked Ruse was given 6,000 square been continuously since 1885. to renowned convict architect metres of land and the command If Parramatta is testament , was built in to see how long it would take to the toughness of European 1823 to help soothe the arthritis for a man to be self-sufficient settlers and farmers, that of Governor . on it. Ruse succeeded in just description can be applied to the

HERITAGE EATS • Find a heritage-inspired menu at Lachlan’s at Old Government House in Parramatta Park. • The Bavarian Bier Café on Phillip Street is a restaurant housed in a beautifully restored 1920s Presbyterian church. • Elizabeth Farm Tearoom offers light lunches and Devonshire tea. Coffee and cake under the jacaranda trees lets you take in the view over the gardens.

8 early women visitors too. As part of the explosion of settlement and development in the area in the 1820s, the Parramatta Female Factory for women convicts was established a short walk north of the main city area. A pleasant stroll around tree-lined streets alongside the present Cumberland Hospital, overshadowed on one side by the imposing sandstone walls of Parramatta Gaol and also bound by the river, this workhouse complex may not Clockwise from top left: Of-the-era furniture at Old Government House, a historical etching of the Female Orphan School, the Orphan School building, visitors explore have had auspicious beginnings the grounds of Elizabeth Farm. but it’s a great place to visit now. The quiet of the area thins the veil of time a little, especially LACHLAN’S OLD HERITAGE & at twilight when the locally RESTAURANT GOVERNMENT VISITOR INFO quarried sandstone of the Old Government House HOUSE CENTRE remaining buildings takes on a 9687 2662 Parramatta Park 346A Church St golden hue. About 5,000 convict lachlans.com.au 9635 8149 8839 3311 nationaltrust.org.au/ cityofparramatta.nsw. women passed through these places/old-government- gov.au grounds between 1804 and 1856, LANCER BARRACKS house and some historians estimate PARRAMATTA that as many as 20 per cent of 2 Smith St PARRAMATTA PARK 0405 482 814 FEMALE FACTORY Cnr Pitt & Macquarie Sts are related to convict lancers.org.au women from female factories. Fleet St, parragirls.org.au 9895 7500 parrapark.com.au • • DISCOVER 9 10 TALES OF THE SECOND SETTLEMENT

With a long history that you can still see today, explore Parramatta by spending time in each of its historical precincts By Jasmine O’Donoghue

arramatta is a place of THE JEWEL IN P stories. The city was originally inhabited by the World Heritage–listed Burramattagal people, a clan of Parramatta Park is one of the Darug, and has thousands Australia’s most historically of years of Indigenous history. significant public parks. It is one It’s the second settlement to be OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE of 11 sites in the country which established by Australia’s British collectively tell the story of the colonists and is just 10 months Parramatta Park, cnr Pitt & Macquarie Sts, 9635 8149, nationaltrust.org.au/ largest forced migration in the younger than Sydney. Today’s nsw/OldGovernmentHouse world. The park is home to Old Parramatta is an eclectic mix of Government House which, for history, people and food, with Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm. seven decades, was the NSW significant landmarks speckled Last tour at 3:30pm. Governors’ country residence. throughout the buzzing streets. Wander the grounds or enter the The stories that make up how house to learn about the first 10 life once was can be divided governors. Parramatta Park also into four fascinating precincts. encloses the Governor’s Dairy, Pick and choose between the an 1822 Observatory and a 1904 precincts, or for the full narrative, Boer War memorial. pack all four into one captivating Parramatta Park is the day. Each should take roughly PARRAMATTA PARK perfect place to spend a sunny two hours to explore, so no Enter cnr Macquarie & Pitt Sts, afternoon. Pack a picnic lunch matter how long you have in Parramatta or Queens Rd, Westmead, 9895 7500, parrapark.com.au and sit in the grounds – there the city, you’re sure to discover are plenty of spots with a lovely something fascinating. Open: Main gates open 6am–6pm. view, and several leafy escapes. Westmead gate opens weekdays Alternatively, Lachlan’s is the 10am–3pm. Weekends and public Clockwise from top left: Old Government restaurant that sits within Old House (OGH) interiors, and furnishings, holidays gate opens 6am–6pm Boer War Memorial, a portrait of Queen (gate closes at 8pm during daylight- Government House, or there’s at OGH, local wildlife, the Dairy saving hours). the café at The Gatehouse for Cottage, OGH entry. a meal or high tea.

DISCOVER 11 THE BIRTHPLACE OF AGRICULTURE Hidden in a typical suburban street lies Elizabeth Farm, the oldest surviving European dwelling in Australia. It’s located towards the south of Parramatta, near Harris Park, and there are several sites of its type in the area. The early colonial bungalow was home to the influential and controversial family of John and , pioneers of the Australian wool industry. Elizabeth Farm is a hands-on museum, meaning there are no locked or fragile pieces of furniture, allowing visitors to sit down in front of the drawing room fire, relax on the and explore the house as if it were their own. The Elizabeth Farm Tearoom is a great place to relax over a cuppa while the kids try their hand at colonial games such as quoits, hoop and stick, cup and ball, knuckles and croquet. A few hundred metres away is Hambledon Cottage. Built in 1824 by John Macarthur as a second house on Elizabeth Farm Estate to accommodate family and friends, today it features original furniture of the period. The other nearby site is Experiment Farm, sitting on one of the most important parcels of land in the founding of the colony. It is the site of Australia’s first land grant, where James Ruse proved in 1791 that a new settler could farm the land and be self-sufficient. The Indian-style bungalow there today was built by Surgeon John Harris and is fitted out with the largest collection of colonial furniture of its kind in Australia. Take a guided tour or browse the permanent display in the cellar.

Clockwise from main: The interior at Elizabeth Farm, the patio of Experiment Farm Cottage, Hambledon Cottage.

12 ELIZABETH FARM 70 Alice St, Rosehill, 9635 9488, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/ elizabeth-farm

Open: Wednesday to Sunday 10am–4pm and daily during NSW school holidays.

HAMBLEDON COTTAGE 63 Hassall St, 9635 6924, parramattahistorical.org.au

Open: Thursday to Sunday 11am–4pm and any day for groups of 15 or more by appointment.

EXPERIMENT FARM COTTAGE 9 Ruse St, Harris Park 9635 5655 nationaltrust.org.au/places/ experiment-farm-cottage

Open: Wednesday to Sunday 10:30am–3:30pm. Last tour at 3pm. Available for group bookings Mondays and Tuesdays.

DISCOVER 13 “UPON OPENING, THE FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL PREPARED ORPHANED, CONVICT AND INDIGENOUS FEMALES FOR A LIFE AS DOMESTIC SERVANTS. IT’S NOW PART OF WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY.” This image: The Female Orphan School is now part of Western EDUCATION TO Sydney University and home ENLIGHTENMENT to the Whitlam Institute. The Female Orphan School Building is of immense historical significance. Commissioned by Governor Macquarie in 1813, it was the colony’s first three-storey building and has since built up many layers of history. Upon opening, it prepared orphaned, convict and Indigenous females for a life as domestic servants. From the 1880s it spent a century as a mental hospital and it is now part of Western Sydney University. One wing is dedicated to the Whitlam Institute, which records the legacy of former Prime Minister and displays a model of his Sydney office, including his actual furnishings, books and other effects. Adjacent to the institute is the Margaret Whitlam Galleries, presenting temporary exhibitions on Australia’s social and cultural life.

THE WHITLAM INSTITUTE AT THE FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL Building EZ, cnr James Ruse Dr and Victoria Rd, Rydalmere, 9685 9210 westernsydney.edu.au/fos

Open: Thursday and Friday 10am–4pm. Group bookings are available on request throughout the week.

DISCOVER 15 VILLAGE LIFE TO CITY LIFE The history of Parramatta snakes through several significant landmarks which are scattered within the city grid. The walls of St John’s Cathedral hold two hundred years of history and religion. Church services have been held at the site since the late 1790s, making the cathedral Australia’s oldest continuous place of worship. It boasts impressive architecture and features convict-made twin towers built in 1818. St John’s Cemetery is the oldest existing European burial ground in Australia, and the final resting place of some of the colony’s earliest settlers.

ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL ST JOHN’S CEMETERY NSW LANCER BARRACKS 195 Church St, 9891 0700 1 O’Connell St AND MUSEUM stjohnscathedral.org.au 2 Smith St, 0405 482 814 Guided tours for visitors are lancers.org.au Open: Weekday guided tours available by appointment with 10am–2pm and large groups by St John’s Cemetery Trust. Look Open: Sundays 10am–4pm and by prior appointment. Sunday services out for Sydney suburb namesakes appointment on any day for groups in English: 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 7pm; D’Arcy Wentworth of Wentworthville, of 10 or more. Cantonese: 9:15am; Farsi: 5pm; John Harris of Harris Park and Mary Mandarin: 11am and 2pm. Kelly of Kellyville.

16 From left to right: St John’s Cathedral, St John’s Cemetery, Brislington, a Lancer Barracks display, Lennox Bridge.

Lancer Barracks is the longest continuous Today Brislington gives a “now and then” look at military installation on the Australian mainland. medical science and hospital care in Parramatta, Several original buildings from 1820 remain on the displaying artefacts from early colonial days and site and today the barracks is home to the Linden equipment and instruments used through time. Museum. The museum documents the history of The Former Female Factory tells a moving story the Lancers and displays original writings from of the first and busiest of the colonial female Banjo Patterson, along with weapons seized from factories. It was a place of assignment, a marriage enemy soldiers and vintage armoured vehicles. bureau, a factory, an asylum and a prison. Ex-convict John Hodges constructed the two-storey The Parramatta River walk tracks a historic river Georgian house of Brislington in 1821 using money landscape, from Governor Phillip’s 1788 landing won at the nearby Woolpack Inn. More than 35 years point, the 1839 Lennox Bridge, Parramatta Park later the Brown family took up residence and three and Old Government House. generations practised medicine in the building. • •

1) Lancer Barracks 2) Hambledon Cottage BRISLINGTON3) Brislington MEDICAL Medical and FORMER4) StFEMALE Johnʼs Cemetery FACTORY LENNOX BRIDGE AND NURSING Nursing MUSEUM museum Fleet St, Adjacent to 349–351 Church St Cnr George & Marsden Sts 0447 189 137 4751 4360, brislington.net parramattafemalefactoryfriends. Lennox Bridge was completed in 1839 com.au and was designed by David Lennox, Open: Thursday 10:30am–2pm and then Superintendent of Bridges for by appointment at other times for Open: Guided tours arranged by NSW. It replaced two earlier wooden private groups. appointment. bridges on the same site.

DISCOVER 17

5) Parramatta Park 6) Former Female Factory 7) Lennox Bridge The call of culture 1Parramatta boasts a rich and TWO SIDES vibrant cultural scene of its own. Creativity in countless forms can be found all around TO A CITY the area, some of it loud and proud, some of it harder to find. One thing’s for certain: the Parramatta is awash with search is well worth it. vibrant culture and a storied One great way to begin – just two exploring the city and its artistic flair is with a self-guided walking of the great ways tour of Parramatta’s public art. to explore the city A number of innovative and thought-provoking artworks are By Kate Symons scattered throughout the CBD, and many represent an artistic impression of the physical, cultural and historic significance of their location; it’s a gallery visit and history lesson rolled into one. From start to finish, the recommended route exceeds three kilometres. If you’re not Australian Dance Theatre – Be Your Self (Redux). Photo: Chris Herzfield, Camlight Productions Chris Herzfield, Camlight Photo: Self (Redux). Your – Be Theatre Dance Australian

18 yet ready for the full tour, there are plenty of spots where the creativity is concentrated. Find a map to all the artworks at Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre. Not far from Ruth Downes’ mosaic, Eels, you’ll find Parramatta Artists Studios. GATEHOUSE While the workspaces might TEA ROOMS not be for us mere mortals, the Macquarie St intimate onsite gallery is a great Gatehouse, Parramatta Park find and open to the public by 9635 1515 appointment. gatehousetearooms. By now, you’ve probably worked com.au up a hunger, but it’s nothing a high tea at the Gatehouse SELF-GUIDED PUBLIC ART Tea Rooms can’t fix. Built in WALK 1887, the beautiful colonial Locations city-wide. building in Parramatta Park is Refer to Explore the perfect setting for scones, Parramatta map. cucumber sandwiches and a fresh tea, coffee or, if the mood From main: Riverside is home to major artistic productions, OLD Wake public art, Works by Hannah Toohey and Emma strikes, Champagne. Such is GOVERNMENT Fielden at the Artist Studios. HOUSE the building’s significance, it was granted UNESCO World Theatre Company, Parramatta Park 9635 8149 Heritage status as part of Theatre Company, Australian nationaltrust.org. Parramatta Park in 2007. Dance Theatre and our very own au/places/old- While you’re in the area, why not National Theatre of Parramatta. government-house swing by Old Government House? Dance, comedy, music, The convict-built Georgian house, cinema and family-friendly PARRAMATTA ARTISTS set on 80 hectares of parkland, performances are a constant STUDIOS is steeped in history – in fact, it’s feature of Riverside’s jam-packed 68 Macquarie St one of the oldest surviving public events schedule. 9687 6090 buildings in Australia. After the show, pop around parramattastudios. After a bite to eat on Church the corner for a nightcap at the com.au Street, catch a show at Riverside Bavarian Bier Café. While a Theatres, Western Sydney’s refreshing stein might not sound RIVERSIDE THEATRES premiere performing arts too cultural, your surrounds venue. Located on the banks of certainly will. The popular pub Cnr Church and Parramatta River, the theatre is located in a fully restored Market Sts 8839 3399 plays host to many of Australia’s historical church – a stunning riversideparramatta. leading performing-arts setting and atmosphere for a com.au

Australian Dance Theatre – Be Your Self (Redux). Photo: Chris Herzfield, Camlight Productions Chris Herzfield, Camlight Photo: Self (Redux). Your – Be Theatre Dance Australian companies, including Sydney post-theatre wind-down.

DISCOVER 19 Clockwise from bottom: Portrait of Aboriginal history history of Parramatta from before Balloderree, a historical painting of 2 Parramatta is a city steeped 1788 to the present day from gathering tribes, riverside grasses, the in Indigenous history. The area an Aboriginal perspective, and interpretive walkway, the eels mosaic, eels in the river. is a great place to explore local includes signage to explain the Aboriginal culture. significance of each section. A walk through Baludarri As you continue on, take a Wetlands will offer an insight into moment to acknowledge the this heritage. The river, wetlands transformation of those riverbanks and surrounds were an important when, in 1788, Governor Arthur source of food as well as a place Phillip sailed in and declared for meeting and trade for the the land suitable for settlement. Darug nation. In the ensuing fight for the land As you stroll along the foreshore, there were attacks on settlers, huts notice the depictions of traditional were burnt, crops destroyed and Aboriginal foodstuffs, native stock speared. Life in the area was plants and fishing activities changed forever. underfoot. The eye-catching It took nearly two centuries Jamie Eastwood-designed before any steps towards true artwork provides a snapshot of the reconciliation were taken. Stop BALUDARRI WETLANDS WALK Connects city centre and river foreshore

PARRAMATTA PARK Cnr Macquarie & Pitt Sts 9895 7500, parrapark.com.au

ST JOHN’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL 195 Church St 9891 0700, stjohnscathedral. org.au

LAKE PARRAMATTA RESERVE Lackey St 9806 5050 cityofparramatta. nsw.gov.au “THE RIVER AND WETLANDS WERE AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF FOOD AND A PLACE FOR MEETING AND TRADE FOR THE DARUG NATION.” beneath the lemon-scented gums the nearby stream, middens in 1814. This became an annual near Lennox Bridge to hear the of freshwater shells have been event catering to about 300 people. Reconciliation Soundscape. found while stone axes have Like Parramatta Park, Lake Next stop: Parramatta Park, been uncovered in the area now Parramatta offers strong evidence with its strong connection to known as the Crescent. This area of the Burramatta people. There the region’s Aboriginal history. was an important trading and are hand-stencilled paintings, cave Here you’ll see pockets of open meeting point for clan groups in shelters, stone flakings, scar trees bushland that were created by the region. and shell deposits. While visiting, the Burramatta people using Sites significant to Indigenous take a stroll around the Arrunga traditional ‘firestick burning’ history can also be found off this Bardo Aboriginal Bush Food methods while the native trees, beaten track. The area around Garden. Follow the tracks to find shrubs and grasses seen today St John’s Cathedral is where which plants were used for food, were also thriving prior to Governor Macquarie first hosted a medicine, weaving or hunting. European settlement. Along gathering of local Aboriginal clans • • DISCOVER 21 A CREATIVE CALLING

Filmmaker Mike Chin talks of his creative Parramatta Interview by Alice Wasley

arramatta is this wonderful, of a place to make it more of a P connected hub. It’s got this healing space. incredible vibe and more creative All around that Parramatta people are coming out this way Female Factory Precinct – which to live. It reminds me of Brooklyn began operating in 1821 and was in New York. Australia’s first purpose-built There is so much history in institution for female convicts – Parramatta. For the last few there is amazing architecture. You years I’ve been working with can see bath areas where convict the Parramatta Female Factory women were bathed outdoors; Precinct Memory Project. you can see the step where It’s a project that they would stand and was started by the wait. It’s worn out – the time when there were lots Parragirls, who were probably from them of eels in the river. They would former inmates of shuffling in the cold. It’s come to have a yarn and a feed. the Parramatta Girls amazing things like that I’ve also discovered that there’s Home. It was this horrid that you don’t usually get a feminine energy in Parramatta; place that would take to see unless they’re photos it was somewhere women came in children who were deemed or behind glass but this you can to give birth. wards of the state. These poor actually see and touch. These things don’t generally children were abused in many There is also rich Indigenous have markers, they don’t have ways, but from what was a sad history in Parramatta. To learn signs pointing to where they are, and disturbing chapter, these about local Indigenous culture, they’re not published in guides, beautiful women have risen like I recommend talking to the local but walk around Parramatta and flowers between the cracks to people to find out about the you’ll feel the energy. Parramatta heal themselves and each other. history and . Find is a place where people gather They’re showing that people can out about Parramatta being a from around the region because use art as therapy and that it’s gathering place for Indigenous it’s a natural hub, a natural annex. possible to change the energy families to come and meet during • • 22 THE WHITLAM INSTITUTE AT THE FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL The Female Orphan School was witness to the lives of disadvantaged girls in the early colony, before becoming a mental hospital until the 1980s. Now part of Western Sydney University, one wing has housed the Whitlam Institute since 2013. Cnr James Ruse Dr & Victoria Rd, THREE PARRAMATTA HERITAGE HOTSPOTS Rydalmere, whitlam.org

FORMER FEMALE PARRAMATTA FACTORY PRECINCT HERITAGE RIDES This precinct (above) contains The best way to see both the heritage buildings important to the Female Factory Precinct and the story of women since early colonial Female Orphan School is to join a times. The Female Factory, where heritage ride around Parramatta. convict women would work, is now Both venues are only open by part of Cumberland Hospital, and appointment, and Heritage Rides the precinct also contains the can arrange everything you need Lunatic and Invalid Asylum and to get a glimpse into Parramatta’s Parramatta Girls Industrial School. rich history. Book online in advance. 1 Fleet St, Parramatta North parramattaheritagerides.net

DISCOVER 23 WHAT’S ON

Parramatta is a hub of activity all year round. Head to the city for a fun day out at these major events throughout 2017 By Alana Young

JANUARY MARCH The Crescent Live Governance Check website for dates 9 March–16 April JULY This summer, the unique Funded by a City of Burramatta natural amphitheatre Parramatta grant NAIDOC Festival will play host to Tropfest and curated by Lizzy Check website Junior and music Marshall, this show for dates festival FOMO, bringing hosts a number of artists acts like Empire of creating installations the Sun and Peking within Old Government Celebrate Parramatta’s rich Aboriginal culture Duk to Parramatta. House, exploring and heritage through storytelling, art and Keep an eye out for governance within the performance. Local dance and music groups more unforgettable country home of the first regularly perform at this NAIDOC Week festival. performances coming 10 NSW Governors. Make sure you stick around for the guided to the park! nationaltrust.org.au/nsw stargazing program to spot some traditional thecrescentlive.com storytelling characters, too. Parramasala Festival cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au; naidoc.org.au FEBRUARY 10–12 March Lunar New Year Parramasala Festival celebrates the dozens APRIL are held at heritage sites 3 February of unique cultures Australian Heritage throughout the city. Celebrate this Lunar that are represented Festival cityofparramatta.nsw. New Year in multicultural in Parramatta. Take 18 April–21 May gov.au Parramatta. Play delight in everything Our shared heritage is Mahjong and ping pong, from yoga and chanting rich with voices from Anzac Day practise calligraphy to film screenings and many cultures. Having programming and explore the city as Bollywood dance with a voice is all about 25 April lanterns are hung to audience participation. taking time to stop and Centenary Square hosts welcome the new year. Celebrate Parramatta's listen to stories from a program of activities cityofparramatta.nsw. multicultural population. every corner of our to commemorate the gov.au parramasala.com society. Various events locals who served in

24 Tropfest is moving to Parramatta! Add a sprinkle of the arts to your summer calendar while you help the short film festival celebrate its 25th year in its bigger and better new home. This year’s theme: pineapple. Make sure you check out Tropfest Junior as well to spot the next big film legend. tropfest.org.au FEBRUARY Tropfest short film festival Clockwise from left: Burramatta NAIDOC Week; Tropfest; Elizabeth Farm; Old Government House; 10–11 February in Parramatta; Anzac Day.

Parramatta Day Kids’ Servant’s Life Tour. Check website for dates Included with museum Treat yourself to a entry. picnic to celebrate all that’s great about Lamplight Tours Parramatta, with food Evening tours of heritage stalls, farmers markets, sites, in partnership with tours, art and the Parramatta heritage war, and educational Parravision talent show. properties, and tours activities are held for cityofparramatta.nsw. of Old Government the kids throughout the gov.au House and Domain will be month. Make a poppy held in 2017; phone Old for the Poppy Wall that ONGOING Government House on forms the backdrop to Family tours at 9635 8149 for more details the Dawn Service. Elizabeth Farm and to register your cityofparramatta.nsw. Take a tour of Elizabeth interest for future tours. gov.au Farm with the family to unlock the farmstead’s Heritage Tours NOVEMBER stories. Go back in time to Every Monday, 11am–noon Tales of India work as a convict servant Let City of Parramatta’s 16 November–15 February for the Macarthurs hosts and guides take This show explores or do the washing as you on a walking tour the Anglo-Indian they did in the 1800s. taking in highlights connections made Explore the house and of Parramatta’s during the time of the garden at your leisure. past, uncovering the Governors’ residence in Running daily in school city’s hidden history. Parramatta, and how holidays, 10am, noon and Bookings essential. they continue to the 2pm for the House and discoverparramatta@ present day. Garden Tour, and 11am, cityofparramtta.nsw. nationaltrust.org.au/nsw 1pm and 3pm for the gov.au

DISCOVER 25 ROAD A40 ISABELLA 6 STREET

RIVER 7

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Locations within 350m 1 VICTORIA 3 FENNELL 2.5km north beyond STREET ROAD 4 2 limits of map PLACE PRINCE Prince STREET CITY ALFRED Alfred Park STREET Creek Parramatta STREET NORTH CENTRE PARK GROSE MARIST Leagues Club SID PALMER STREET MARKET STREET STREET STREET PARRAMATTA TEALE O'CONNELL STREET Church MEMORIAL STREET PARRAMATTA STREET O'Connell Street North PARK 9 11 PARK Street STREET O'CONNELL 10 5 VICTORIA PARRAMATTA 13 SORRELL Domain Lennox CHURCH

N STREET Bridge PENNANT12

PLACE RIVER AVENUE Prince Alfred 15 Park PHILLIP LANE PARK MARIST ROAD PHILLIP 16

O'Connell 14 VICTORIA STREET GEORGE MARSDEN STREET 9 Phillip Street CHURCH PARRAMATTA AVENUE Street 13 WILDE

PLACE STREET ROAD PARRAMATTA STREET 7 Lennox STREET 6 STREET PHILLIP STREET Bridge BETTS THOMAS Phillip AVENUE 17 Street STREET MACQUARIE 14 WILDE GEORGE HORWOOD

CHURCH STREET STREET

LANE PLACE 8 MACQUARIE MARSDEN CHURCH QUEENS PARRAMATTA STREET ST 18 STREET Bicycles STREET STREET 0 100 m must be SMITH MARSDEN GOLF 19 BARRACK PARADE walked STREET Parramatta COURSE Wharf Macquarie CHURCH 20 WESTERN HORWOOD STREET SYDNEY Street West MACQUARIE STREET UNIVERSITY

ARGYLE CHURCH STREET MACARTHUR 28 19 CHARLES BARRACK LANE 21 DRIVE 24 DARCY Charles STREET Macquarie Street RUSE Westfield BUS Street SMITH CHURCH ONLY STREET GEORGE Parramatta STREET RIVER PITT 22 STREET STATION GREAT WESTERN A44

FIRE HORSE JAMES ROAD O'CONNELL LANE Parramatta RIVER Transport STREET HASSALL Bicycles must be walked Interchange along Argyle Street & STREET Church Street Mall START STREET

STREET

PURCHASE STREET STREET STREET 23 MAP KEY

STREET STREET

WENTWORTH STREET HASSALL HIGHWAY TASTE Clay 26 DISCOVER Discover walk PARKES RUSE STREET CHURCH STREET Visitor information STREET EXPLORE centre Cliff one way OLLIE CYCLE Heritage cycle route street 25 Creek WEBB Free shuttle stop RES ALICE one way loop

WIGRAM A44 Train station ARTHUR HARRIS 27 STREET HARRIS PARK PITT 0 100 200 300 400 500 m STREET Bus interchange

Approximate walking time 8 min ALFRED Harris Park ROSEHILL ROSEHILLFerry wharfRACECOURSE Station ROAD A40 ISABELLA 6 STREET

RIVER 7

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Locations within 350m 1 VICTORIA 3 FENNELL 2.5km north beyond STREET ROAD 4 2 limits of map PLACE PRINCE Prince STREET CITY POINTS OF INTEREST ALFRED Alfred Park STREET Creek Parramatta Discover these heritage STREET NORTH CENTRE PARK GROSE MARIST Leagues Club SID PALMER activities in Parramatta. STREET MARKET STREET STREET STREET PARRAMATTA TEALE O'CONNELL STREET Church MEMORIAL STREET 1 Parramatta Rowboats PARRAMATTA STREET O'Connell Street North PARK 9 11 PARK Street STREET O'CONNELL 10 2 Lake Parramatta Reserve 5 VICTORIA PARRAMATTA 13 SORRELL 3 Female Factory Precinct Domain Lennox CHURCH

N STREET 4 Parramatta Park Café Bridge PENNANT12

PLACE RIVER AVENUE 5 Parramatta Park Prince Alfred 15 Park PHILLIP LANE PARK MARIST 6 Old Government House ROAD PHILLIP 16 7 Lachlan’s restaurant O'Connell 14 VICTORIA STREET GEORGE MARSDEN STREET 9 Phillip 8 Gatehouse Tea Rooms Street CHURCH PARRAMATTA AVENUE Street 13 WILDE 9 Riverside Theatres PLACE STREET ROAD PARRAMATTA STREET 7 10 Parramatta Heritage & Lennox STREET 6 STREET Visitor Information Centre PHILLIP STREET Bridge BETTS THOMAS 11 350 Restaurant & Lounge, Phillip AVENUE 17 Street STREET MACQUARIE Novotel 14 WILDE GEORGE HORWOOD STREET 12 Parramatta River CHURCH STREET

LANE PLACE 8 MACQUARIE MARSDEN CHURCH QUEENS 13 Lennox Bridge PARRAMATTA STREET ST 18 STREET Bicycles STREET STREET 0 100 m must be SMITH 14 Brislington Medical and MARSDEN GOLF 19 BARRACK PARADE walked STREET Parramatta Nursing Museum COURSE Wharf Macquarie CHURCH 20 WESTERN HORWOOD 15 Bavarian Bier Café STREET SYDNEY MACQUARIE Street West STREET UNIVERSITY 16 BAR:30 ARGYLE CHURCH STREET MACARTHUR 28 19 CHARLES 17 Kanzo Fresh Sushi BARRACK LANE 21 DRIVE 18 Parramatta Artists’ Studio 24 DARCY Charles 19 St John’s Anglican STREET Macquarie Street RUSE Westfield BUS Street Cathedral SMITH CHURCH ONLY STREET GEORGE Parramatta STREET RIVER PITT 22 STREET 20 Port Bar STATION GREAT WESTERN A44

FIRE HORSE JAMES 21 Hong Fu North East ROAD O'CONNELL LANE Parramatta RIVER Chinese Transport STREET HASSALL Bicycles must be walked Interchange 22 Lancer Barracks along Argyle Street & STREET Church Street Mall START STREET 23 Circa Espresso STREET

PURCHASE STREET STREET STREET 23 MAP KEY

STREET STREET 24 St John’s Cemetery

WENTWORTH STREET HASSALL HIGHWAY TASTE Clay 26 25 Experiment Farm DISCOVER Discover walk PARKES RUSE STREET Cottage CHURCH STREET Visitor information STREET EXPLORE centre 26 Hambledon Cottage Cliff one way Heritage cycle route street OLLIE 25 CYCLE Creek 27 Elizabeth Farm Cottage WEBB Free shuttle stop RES ALICE one way loop 28 Whitlam Institute at the WIGRAM Female Orphan School A44 Train station ARTHUR HARRIS 27 For more info about what to see, STREET HARRIS PARK do and sample in Parramatta, PITT 0 100 200 300 400 500 m STREET Bus interchange visit the Parramatta Heritage and Approximate walking time 8 min ALFRED Visitor Information Centre at 350 Harris Park ROSEHILL ROSEHILLFerry wharfRACECOURSE Church St or call 8839 3311. Station CATCH THE BUS The city is served by buses to the interchange ESSENTIAL near Parramatta Station. Bus routes connect Parramatta with other Sydney destinations INFORMATION like Castle Hill, Hornsby, Ryde, Strathfield and the GETTING TO PARRAMATTA Sydney city centre. There are so many ways to get to Parramatta, CITY SHUTTLE BUS a city served by bus, train and ferry It’s easy to get around on the free CBD shuttle bus route that runs from 8am to 4pm. Highlights along the route include Church Street, the ferry wharf, Phillip Street and Westfield.

RIDE THE TRAIN Parramatta Station connects to locations all around metro Sydney. It’s a 30-minute ride from Sydney’s Town Hall to Parramatta. There are stations at nearby Harris Park and Westmead, too.

HOP ON THE FERRY Ferries run from to Parramatta Wharf, departing every day between 7am and 7pm. The ferry arrives at the end of Charles Street, a short walk from the centre of the city. Note that low tides occasionally mean buses replace ferries for part of the journey.

28 DRIVE IN WALK AND CYCLE Parramatta is well Parramatta is an easy SHOWING YOU AROUND serviced by major road city to cycle and walk Our friendly hosts and guides are located in connections. There are around, with many of the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information parking stations around the best highlights within Centre overlooking the Parramatta River. Parramatta, many of walking distance. One of Roaming the city’s CBD, they also which offer pre-booking the best ways to discover provide a meet-and-greet discounts. There are those little gems in the service at the ferry wharf. also paid and free street city is by exploring on parking spots in the city. foot or by bike, and by taking your time to find FIND YOUR WAY new experiences. To find public transport Bicycle hire is available routes to Parramatta, from the below location visit the Transport (or bring your own bike!). for NSW website at Look out for Explore, the transportnsw.info companion map to this guide, for walking and You can also call the cycling routes. Transport Infoline at any time on 131 500 for help ADDVENTAGEOUS and information. City of Parramatta Council Weekend bicycle hire between 10am–2pm from has useful transport $10/hour with a helmet. information on its website: Barry Wilde Bridge Fountain cityofparramatta.nsw. 0430 130 670 gov.au addventageous.com

THE BEST WAY TO DISCOVER PARRAMATTA See the best of the City of Parramatta with food, activity and heritage guides. Look out in information centres, hotels and transit points for locally produced guides to the city called Taste and Discover Parramatta. Also find the handy activity map called Explore Parramatta. Together, the guides and map show you everything you need to know for an extraordinary time in the city, with excellent dining options, incredible heritage to uncover and fun activities to do. Come and explore Sydney’s Central City, and let it surprise you.

DISCOVER 29 EXPLORE TASTE DISCOVER

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