Old Government House is Australia’s oldest surviving public building, a Georgian residence set within Parramatta Park at the western edge of Parramatta’s CBD. Convicts built it in 1799 for Governor John Hunter, and it served as the country home of the first ten governors of New South Wales. Visitors come to see colonial authority at domestic scale (Wikipedia).
Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who spent more time here than any other governor, enlarged the house between 1815 and 1818 and added its pedimented portico. Inside, the rooms are furnished in the style of the early 1820s. They hold one of Australia’s most significant collections of early colonial furniture, much of it made from local cedar. Original convict brickwork and hand-cut timbers remain visible. The house forms part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites (Greater Sydney Parklands). Its 110 hectares of grounds run down to the Parramatta River (CHO).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Weekends can bring school-holiday crowds and private weddings. Opening days vary, so check the National Trust website before you go. Groups of twenty or more can book exclusive guided tours, and the house runs curriculum-linked school programs (NSW Government).
Parramatta Station is about a 15-minute walk away, and the Parramatta Light Rail stops near the park. Accessible parking is available throughout Parramatta Park. After your visit, walk to the nearby Dairy Cottage and Governor Brisbane’s Bath House.
