Situated on the traditional lands of the Burramatta Darug, World Heritage listed Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia.
Built by convicts, it became the decision-making centre of the colony and served as the ‘country residence’ for the first ten Governors of Australia.
Today, this elegant Georgian house stands in 200 acres of parkland, overlooking the Parramatta River. It is home to the National Trust’s premier colonial furniture collection, early textiles and significant homewares from the time of the Governors. Please note that access to the house is currently by guided tour only.
Australian Convict Sites
There are 11 places that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage series. They all tell a story of exile from one side of the world to the other and how a new nation was formed from hardship, inequality and adversity. Old Government House is one of those 11 sites – find out more about the others at Australian Convict Sites.
Old Government House sits within Parramatta Park. The Park was established in 1858 on the site of the former Parramatta Government Domain. The current parklands are 85 hectares in size, straddling the Parramatta River on the western edge of the Parramatta central business district. Old Government House sits within the park, and the parklands estate includes the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Centre and Old Kings Oval.
Throughout the year events are held in the Park which will mean some, or all, of the Park is car-free. Please see Parramatta Park What’s On for more information.
