Parramatta

Lifestyle

One of Sydney’s oldest settlements, Parramatta is a bustling business and retail hub that is the focal centrepiece of western Sydney.

Whilst it is a fair hike from Sydney (you’d need about an hour), Parramatta sure does have a lot to offer once you get there.

Fringed by the waters of the Parramatta River, it is filled with young passionate residents and features a wonderful ethnic diversity, buzzing cafe culture and great arts scene.

The massive Westfield Parramatta dominating the main town is a real treat to serious fashionistas also features an awesome cinema complex. Watch the world go by in one of the cafes or restaurants overlooking the mall, stock up on Friday’s at the farmers’ market or enjoy the regular entertainment at The Riverside Theatres.

As far as history goes, Parramatta is home to a lot of Australia’s firsts. Australia's first farm, first orchard, first vineyard, first steam mill, first market place and first fair. If you feel the urge take the time and visit two of Australia's oldest buildings still resting in Parramatta - The Old Government House and the Governor's Dairy.

With a major train station, several buses services you know you can rely on public transport. With a good variety of schools, plus a university campus, you know your education is sorted. And if you’re serious about sport, then you’ll fit right with the die-hard Parramatta Eels fans.

Like to be spoilt with everything in one place? Then Parramatta with its business district, shopping, arts and alfresco dining, will make you feel like it’s always Xmas.

People

As a popular western business district, you’re bound to see plenty of professionals going about their business in Parramatta.

Parramatta’s people tend to be young also very multicultural, which explains why singles and couples love living so close to all the action.

Homes

Parramatta is vibrant but still down-to-earth, offering reasonable rents compared to the inner suburbs of Sydney.

Towering apartment buildings are all the go here. Perfect for the younger crowd who live by the work hard play hard manta and can easily find their way home after dark .

Apartment living is modern and stylish and comes in all sizes. Original homes on large blocks are around on the fringes, but these are snapped up by developers quick smart.

Transport

+ Parramatta is the major transport hub for Western Sydney, servicing trains and buses, as well as having a ferry service.
+ Parramatta railway station is a major transport interchange on the Sydney rail network. It is served by Sydney Trains' Cumberland Line and North Shore, Northern & Western Line
+ Parramatta is also serviced by a major bus interchange located on the southern side of the railway station. The interchange is served by buses utilising the North West T-Way to Rouse Hill and the Liverpool-Parramatta T-way to Liverpool.

Schools

+ Parramatta is home to several primary and secondary schools. Arthur Phillip High School is the oldest public school in the district (
+ Parramatta High School was the first coeducational school in the Sydney metropolitan area established in 1913.
+ Several tertiary education facilities are also located within Parramatta. One of six University of Western Sydney campuses is situated in the suburb. The UWS > Parramatta Campus consists of three sites: Parramatta South (the main site), Parramatta North and the Parramatta City campus

Shopping/Restaurants

+ Parramatta CBD has over 180 restaurants, cafes, eateries and bars offering a huge array of cuisines from around the world.
+ Parramatta is also the proud home to Circa, the SMH Good Cafe Guide's Best Cafe for 2013.
+ Parramatta is a major business and retail centre and the shopping capital of Western Sydney. It is home to Westfield Parramatta, the third largest shopping centre in Australia
+ Parramatta's city centre houses many shops and speciality stores including bridalwear, hi-fi, art supplies, scuba, hair and beauty, music stores, sportswear and fashion. It even has a dedicated car and bike precinct known by Sydney-siders as 'Auto Alley'.

Recreational Facilities

+ Contemporary arts are flourishing in Parramatta with an annual program of exhibitions, international residencies, performances, festivals, public events and activities.
+ Parramatta is home to a fascinating collection of colonial heritage sites in both the city centre and surrounding areas such as Harris Park and North Parramatta. The best introduction to Parramatta's heritage sites and stories can be found at the Heritage Centre,
+ Parramatta has been able to retain large tracts of park and bushland in and around its CBD, making it an uncongested, beautiful city that lends itself to walking, cycling, picnicking, bird-watching and barbecuing.