Parramatta is known for food, culture, sporting fanatics and all kinds of fun – a suburb so iconic that it’s considered it’s own region, it is a fantastic place to spend a few days and is a great alternative to staying in Sydney’s CBD. Here’s some things you should check out while you’re in town.
Culture at the Riverside
The Riverside Theatre is a great place to catch a show – they have both a cinema and several performance spaces here, so whether it’s an arthouse classic or a local superstar on the rise you’re keen to see, you’ll be able to find it. They have an interesting mix of orchestral performances, dance, comedy, musicals and more on display here year round, and they also have an extensive education program in case you feel like having a go yourself. The cinema concentrates on arthouse, world movies and documentaries, so there is always something unexpected and interesting to see here.
A Day in the Park
Parramatta Park is rather more lively than most parks – in addition to all the usual amenities like children’s playgrounds, walking tracks and botanical beauty, it’s also an events hub, with a lot of festivals and live music events happening here as part of a packed program. If you want to explore the history and culture of the park, they have self-guided tours, and guided ones as well – the convict era Dairy and Rangers Cottages are particularly interesting, harkening back to the regions colonial past. You can also enjoy the Burramatta Aboriginal landscape trail, which shows off plants used for traditional medicine and food.
Your cup of tea
If you’re a fan of getting a little bit fancy, then you’re going to enjoy indulging in the delicious delicacies of the Macquarie St Gatehouse High Tea Rooms. With more than thirty teas, you might have a difficult choice choosing what to fill your teapot with, but the Australian Bushfire Chai is our pick, with some spicy pimento berries it is sure to invigorate you. They have both sweet and savoury options for your dining pleasure as well. Housed in a beautiful heritage listed home built in 1887, you’ll be able to soak up the history while you relax and enjoy.
Art in the Office
The bland corporate exterior of the Parramatta Artists Studios hide some creative brilliance within – these studios are home to some of the area’s most promising contemporary artists. A regular program of open studios, workshops and other events allows you to get a rare glimpse into the creative process, and there’s the opportunity to support them directly by buying yourself something spectacular as well.
Golden Oldie
If you’ve ever wondered where the oldest European building in Australia is, wonder no more because it’s here in Parramatta. Elizabeth Farm still retains some of its original 1793 structure, and it now houses a hands-on living history exhibit. Your kids will be encouraged to clatter plates in the kitchen, sit on the antique beds and even have a go at the grand piano; not your usual museum experience but one that is sure to be fondly remembered. The beautiful grounds also boast Australia’s oldest olive tree as well, which is still thriving and growing much like Parramatta itself.
