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Historic house · Sydney, Nova Gales do Sul
Old Government House
The country residence of the colony’s early governors in Parramatta, Australia’s oldest public building and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Old Government House
Old Government House sits atop Parramatta Park, on the banks of the Parramatta River, about 24 km from central Sydney. Construction of the building began in 1799 and it was enlarged by Governor Lachlan Macquarie; it is considered the oldest surviving public building in Australia.
Between 1800 and 1847 the house served as the country residence for ten governors of New South Wales, at a time when Parramatta was the colony's agricultural center. Today it is a museum run by the National Trust, with rooms furnished in the 1820s style.
The house is part of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites, because the administration of the penal colony operated through it. In the surrounding park there are trees with marks left by the Darug Aboriginal people and remains of colonial-era constructions.
Visits can be self-guided or guided, and the park, with lawns and riverside trails, is pleasant for a walk.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours, plus time for the park walk.
Best time
The house is open on select days of the week: check before you go. The ferry trip along the river is nicer in the morning.
How to get there
By train from Central station to Parramatta, or by ferry (RiverCat) from Circular Quay along the Parramatta River.
Tip
Take the ferry one way and the train the other: the river ferry shows the bay and the riverside neighborhoods.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Old Government House
How to go from Sydney to Parramatta?
By train from Central station, or by ferry along the Parramatta River from Circular Quay.
Is the Old Government House open every day?
No. The house is open on certain days of the week; check the days and opening hours on the National Trust website before going.
Why is the house a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Because it is part of Australia’s eleven Convict Sites: it was the residence of the governors who administered the penal colony.