Parramatta Park: A Riverside Playground in Sydney's Historic West
Parramatta is an important satellite city to Sydney, a bustling metropolis in its own right and home to Parramatta Park, one of suburban Sydney’s largest public reserves. Parramatta Park covers a vast 85 hectares straddling the banks of the Parramatta River.
Before European settlement, the area’s bountiful wildlife and fresh running river water made it the core territory of the Burramatta clan of the Darug aboriginals. Soon after settlement, the British established a government farm on the riverbanks, and the rich, fertile soil proved vital in providing crops for keeping Sydney's ailing penal colony alive.
Today the grounds of the park still contain several original colonial buildings. Among them is the picturesque Georgian-style Old Government House (1815), Australia’s oldest surviving public building. Guided tours are available by prior appointment, and the Garrison Building is home to the elegant Lachlan’s Restaurant. Other historic buildings within the grounds include the Dairy Cottage (1798), the Bath House (1823) and the Boer War Memorial (1904). Maps for a self-guided heritage walk are available at the park administration office.
The Parramatta River, which has been cleaned up considerably in recent years, cuts through the park and attracts abundant bird life. A cycling track traverses the outer circumference of the park and there are wide open playing fields perfect for cricket, soccer and football. You’ll also find covered picnic areas and barbecues, kid’s playgrounds and an open-air café by the river’s edge.
Posted by Fiona Davies
