Top Cultural Heritage Walking Tours

What better way to learn more about Parramatta’s cultural heritage than on a leisurely, guided stroll? The City of Parramatta regularly holds walking tours exploring different aspects of Parramatta’s culture and history for you to enjoy. From architecture to Aboriginal origins, to art and food, there’s much to discover on Parramatta’s walking tours.

Find out what walking tours are available in Parramatta and which one you might want to sign up for the next weekend you have free.

Parramatta Square Art Tour

Join this 2 hour, free walking tour within Parramatta Square, the brand new commercial and community hub within the City core.

You will find amazing art installations, contemporary sculptures and beautiful heritage displays throughout the Square. Parramatta Square dazzles not only with its modern architecture but it provides world class artistic offerings which will surprise and astound you.

There is walking involved, please wear comfortable shoes and bring a drink. 

Warami Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Tour

The Warami Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Tour is a tour dedicated to the Dharug people in Parramatta - the traditional custodians of the land. An easy and relaxing walk along the Parramatta River and through Parramatta Park, the cultural tour will take you through aspects of Aboriginal culture that are local to the area. For example, the Dharug people’s connection to the land, particular plant uses, and use of hunting tools.

Designed to educate both adults and children alike, the Warami Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Tour can be an exciting learning experience for participants of all ages. You can take inspiration from the tour to further explore the local Aboriginal culture and better understand not only the origins of the Parramatta land but its development processes which have led the area to become the modern iteration we see today.

Learning Dharug Ways

Spend time with an Aboriginal Custodian and learn about cultural heritage, food, tools and more on this one-hour activity held at PHIVE foyer.

The Darug people are Parramatta’s first people and the traditional custodians of this land.  Parramatta’s name comes from their word “burramatta, meaning “the place of eels”.   

This coming together is a wonderful opportunity to spend with an Aboriginal traditional custodian, learning about connections to land, plant uses, tools, hunting and other aspects of local culture.

Book your spot here.

First Contact Tour

Another inspirational tour centred around Aboriginal culture is the First Contact Tour. Based on real Aboriginal stories about loyalty, exploration, betrayal, and brutality, the tour aims to shed light on the hidden histories in Parramatta. From early frontier conflicts to Aboriginal records of trade, cooperation, and assistance, the tour covers a wide range of topics most Australians should be curious to know.

The First Contact Tour also uncovers some harsh truths about the Aboriginal people, military, convicts, and settlers. Based on first-hand records and recollections from the Aboriginal local community, the First Contact Tour explores the tumultuous time of early settlement in the Parramatta area.

Taste Cultural Food Tour

Taste Cultural Food Tours occasionally offers tours involving cultural food tasting in Parramatta. The City of Parramatta takes pride in its multicultural community, with many different authentic cuisines available to try on Church St, also known as “Eat St”. Whether you’re craving Korean, Lebanese, Italian, or Chinese food, there’s bound to be a top-rated restaurant in Parramatta that can satisfy your palette.

Taste Cultural Food Tour aims to take you through all the cuisines available in Parramatta, as well as guide you through the centuries of food development in the suburb, from indigenous times to colonial and modern eras. The latest Taste Cultural Food Tour in Parramatta included tastings of Nepalese, Malaysian and Japanese cuisine.

Harris Park Heritage Trails

Harris Park Heritage Trail is a 2.4 km heritage walk along Parramatta River east to Harris Park. As a relaxed, self-guided tour, the trail goes through colonial sites that are rich with stories and historical significance. The trail leads you through Georgian architecture-inspired Hambledon Cottage and a 200-year-old second house of Macarthur.

You can also take the trail to Elizabeth Farm and the Experiment Farm Cottage to admire and learn more about architecture from the 1780s and the early days of Parramatta.

Image: Elizabeth Farm

PHIVE Building Tour

We invite you to join a free tour of PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square, the City’s new iconic community, cultural and civic building right in the heart of Parramatta’s CBD.

The state-of-the-art building, which extends over the original, heritage-listed Parramatta Town Hall, will create a modern connection with Parramatta’s rich history.

Hear about innovative design features, sustainable concepts, quiet spaces, cultural and artistic inclusions within the building.

Explore Parramatta through Walking Tours

Paramatta walks are some of the best ways to explore the suburb to its max. From food tours, to architecture tours, to cultural history tours, there are many ways for you to learn more about Parramatta. Take your pick and choose one that sounds most enjoyable for you!