Travel Guide Parramatta

Parramatta is located approximately 22 km west of the City. A major business and commercial center, the city is sometimes referred to as Sydney's "second central business district". It is home to Westfield Parramatta, one of Australia's largest shopping centers by floor space. Parramatta was founded in 1788, the same year as Sydney, and was Australia's second colony. The first fleet that arrived in January 1788 at Sydney Cove had little food. The soil was too poor to raise the necessary food rations, so Governor Arthur Phillip recognized several locations suitable for farming. Parramatta, which was located on the furthest possible navigable point from the coast, also had the distinction of having fresh water (the river water later became salty). The place was quickly chosen to establish a large farm. Later, in 1790, the site saw the establishment of Elizabeth Farm, a farm specialized in the wool industry. Arthur Philip built a house at Parramatta which was substantially improved in 1799 and again between 1815 and 1818 by one of his successors, Governor Macquarie. This Government House was used by the various Governors of New South Wales until 1850. Today, this Government House and the park in which it is installed are one of the main points of visit in Parramatta. Indeed, the city, very modernized, is without real attraction.