Parramatta, New South Wales

From Freepedia

Fort Parramatta is a fort north of Wellington, New Zealand

Parramatta is a suburb in the City of Parramatta in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 25 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. Parramatta is approximately at the geographical centre of the Sydney urban area. Situated on the banks of Parramatta River, it is a major commercial and retail centre, widely regarded as Sydney's "second central business district". It is home to Westfield Shoppingtown Parramatta, the largest shopping centre in Australia.

1 History
2 Landmarks
- 2.1 Lake Parramatta
3 External links

History

European settlement at Parramatta was begun by Governor Arthur Phillip in November 1788, just nine months after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove. For a time in the early 1800s it was the seat of government of the colony of New South Wales (which at that time encompassed the eastern two-thirds of the Australian mainland). Afterwards the seat of government was moved back to Sydney, but the Governor's former residence, Old Government House, remains as an historic site and Museum and is Australia's oldest surviving public building.

Parramatta is the site of Australia's oldest farmstead, Experiment Farm, which was owned by James Ruse, a First Fleet ex-convict considered to be the first successful (European style) farmer in Australia, the first official settler in Parramatta and the receiver of the first land grant.

The name Parramatta is derived from a local Aboriginal expression meaning "place of many eels". The area was at first named Rose Hill, later changing to the native name for the area. It is located at a portion of the nearby Parramatta River which was indeed a gathering place for native species of eel. The eel has been adopted as the symbol of the Parramatta Eels Rugby League club who compete in the prestigious NRL.

Landmarks

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta is a 10 hectare reserve. The catchment area for the Lake is bounded by North Rocks Rd, Pennant Hills Rd and Hunts Creek. Enter from Lackey Street, North Parramatta.

See also: Parramatta Rail Link