In 2018, the NSW Government’s independent planning body, the Greater Sydney Commission, released a 40-year vision for Sydney that envisages a metropolis of three cities.

Called the Greater Sydney Region Plan (GSRP), it includes the three cities – Eastern Harbour City, Central River City and Western Parkland City. It aims to have most residents live within 30 minutes of their jobs, education and health facilities and services.

The GSRP focuses on planning in Greater Sydney to address population growth, demographic change and improving liveability. This is particularly important as Sydney’s population is forecast to rise from 4.8 million to 6.2 million over the next 20 years, and almost double to eight million by 2056.

Parramatta has a key role to play in this vision, with the City of Parramatta at the core of the Central River City. The GSRP recognises that the “Central River City will grow substantially capitalising on its location close to the geographic centre of Greater Sydney. Unprecedented public and private investment is contributing to new transport and other infrastructure leading to a major transformation of the Central River City.”

This plan for Greater Sydney has already provided some of the impetus for the growing list of transformational projects in the City of Parramatta including Parramatta Square, transport infrastructure, commercial development, and the new Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS), just to name a few.

Parramatta Square

The transformation of Parramatta Square which is now complete is a significant project in Parramatta’s CBD. The precinct was singled out as a key part of the future development of Sydney under the plans put together by the Greater Sydney Commission.

Parramatta Square is a $2.8 billion project, led by Walker Corporation which broke ground in 2017. The purpose-built area is home to six new state-of-the-art buildings, a refurbished Town Hall and extensive community space.

The site is bounded by Church Street Mall, Macquarie, Smith and Darcy Streets and plays several roles in the community. It is an outdoor space for city residents, a place for office workers to mingle and enjoy lunch, a forecourt and public space for students, a community gathering space, and a dynamic entertainment area for events and festivals.

Major tenants in the four commercial towers include National Australia Bank, the NSW Government, and multiple government agencies including 5,000 employees within the departments of Planning, Industry & Environment and Finance, Services & Innovation.

1 Parramatta Square, also known as 1PSQ, houses the $220 million Parramatta city campus for Western Sydney University which opened in 2017. It’s home to 10,000 students from the School of Business. It is designed to promote close relationships with the business community and has allowed the University to expand and leverage its research expertise.

Transport/infrastructure investment

A key part of the Parramatta Square development is its transport connections. Located close to the Square is the Parramatta Transport Interchange which was recently upgraded and brings train and bus connections under one roof. This will link with the future Parramatta Light Rail and Metro West just a short walk away, giving a seamless travel experience for commuters.

The Parramatta Light Rail, due to open in 2023, will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres. It will transform the way workers move around the Parramatta area. It will link Parramatta’s CBD and train station to:

• Westmead Precinct
• Cumberland Precinct
• CommBank Stadium
• Camellia Town Centre
• The new Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS) and cultural precinct on the Parramatta River
• The housing redevelopment at Telopea
• Rosehill Gardens Racecourse 
• Three Western Sydney University campuses.

Stage Two of the Parramatta Light Rail which has been given the go-ahead by the NSW Government, will connect the Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park. It will also connect to Sydney Metro West, the heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, and ferry services at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park.

The Sydney Metro West is an underground metro railway currently under construction that will connect Parramatta and the Sydney CBD. The new 24-kilometre metro line includes stations at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays, Pyrmont and Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD.

Commercial development

The impetus provided by the Greater Sydney Region Plan (GSRP), has also led to investment in commercial development in Parramatta, particularly the CBD.

Over recent years Parramatta has become one of Australia’s most sought after office markets, beating out other big city centres.

Parramatta’s commercial office market holds a prime A-grade vacancy rate of just 0.4. This level of demand for commercial office space is unprecedented. Parramatta is expected to surpass North Sydney as the third-largest office market in Sydney, with 1 million square metres within a few years. Despite its increased popularity, Parramatta remains an affordable location, with the market rate of office space sitting at almost 50 per cent of that of the Eastern CBD.

The Parramatta Square development is an example of commercial investment but there are also many others in either planning, construction or recently completed stages including:

• 20-22 Macquarie Street: floor space of 27,744 m2
• 89 George Street: floor space of 13,000 m2 
• Justice Precinct: floor space of 50,000 m2
• Westfield Tower: additional floor space of 35,000 m2.

Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS)

Arts and culture are also an important part of the development of the Central River City.

Parramatta’s new Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS) will open on the river foreshore in 2024 as the new centre of arts, culture and innovation. The precinct includes the newly relocated museum and the revamped Riverside Theatres.

When complete, it will be the first NSW State Cultural Institution to be based in Western Sydney and is the largest cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House which took 14 years to build, opening in 1973.

To be known as MAAS, it will also be the largest museum in NSW at 30,000 square metres. More than half of the new museum will house the exhibitions and education programs, sharing more of the Powerhouse Collection than has ever been seen before. The state-of-the-art exhibition halls will host international travelling exhibitions, bringing the very best of the world to Parramatta.

Economic modelling shows that by 2028 the new cultural precinct will grow the local economy worth between $106 million and $422 million. Once the museum is open, local jobs are expected to increase by between 150 and 600 new full-time equivalent jobs.

Parramatta will play a key role in the vision for the Central River City. As a result, it will grow substantially capitalising on its location close to the geographic centre of Greater Sydney. Unprecedented public and private investment are contributing to a major transformation of the Central River City.

To show its commitment to increasing the inclusion and well-being of communities who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+), the City of Parramatta is championing a project called ‘Welcome Here’. 

The ‘Welcome Here’ project run by health promotion organisation ACON, focuses on supporting local business owners and services to create and promote environments that are visibly welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQI+ people.

Local businesses throughout the Parramatta LGA were invited to participate. They needed to register and undertake training to be involved. Each of them will now display the ‘Welcome Here’ sticker in a prominent place at their sites and on their websites.

In addition, all of Council's libraries, PHIVE, Wentworth Point Community Centre, Riverside Theatres, and Parramatta Artist Studios have been trained to be ‘Welcome Here’ sites. Council has also become a member of ‘Pride in Diversity’- the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion. The Parramatta Welcome Here Project has only been possible because of the support from Woolworths Group, which sponsored the registrations and training for each of the businesses.

The Parramatta ‘Welcome Here’ project includes the following businesses that have all signed up for the program and have undertaken training.

Charlene Bordley from Parramatta Bike Tours that runs tours around the Parramatta area, and provides cycle coaching, is keen to learn from her company’s involvement in the program, as well as grow and maintain a safe and welcoming space. Before the program started, Parramatta Bike Tours had already taken several steps to welcome, include, support, and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community.

“The City of Parramatta offering this fully funded program, not only provides us with the means to participate in formal training but also feel supported by our local council, to be more vocal on our values and goal to create a safe space within our business,” added Charlene.

A number of Parramatta’s cafes and bars also see the opportunity to show their support for all customers.

Matthew Snelling from Umaya Japanese restaurant located in Parramatta CBD, which has been part of the local community since 2017, is focused on making all customers feel safe and welcome to the business and the wider Parramatta community.

“We want all members of the community to feel safe and happy, part of the community no matter their preferences, culture or diversity. Being part of this initiative will allow us to take down the walls and bring everyone together,” said Matthew.

Proprietor of the White Henry Café and Teddy Black Espresso Bar, Andy Canestrari-Soh is committed to welcoming and including LGBTQI+ people at White Henry, including taking actions such as displaying symbols of inclusivity to signal a welcoming and safe space for everyone.

The cafes are both located in the Parramatta CBD and they celebrate diversity in all forms in their hiring practices, and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and sexual orientations, and gender identities.

“I am a member of the LGBTQI+ community myself, as have been many of my staff over the years. In addition to making it a clear expectation of employment at White Henry, we also actively ensure that staff are coached on treating all customers and community members with which we interact with respect and to be welcoming to everyone at all times,” said Andy.

And it’s not just Parramatta CBD-based businesses who work in a retail environment that want to be involved in the program. Recyclable disposable cup distributor 4UU4 Cups located in Merrylands, believes that it’s important for businesses to help each other. Owner Michelle Cui says that her company is keen to “help our community and is willing to grow with Parramatta City together to build our beautiful City.

“We even supply our cups in the rainbow colours of red, pink, purple, yellow, blue, and green,” added Michelle.

Council has further shown its support for LGBTQI+ people through its membership of the Parramatta Queer Forum (PQF), a local network of community members, government agencies and not-for-profits whose aim is to increase LGBTQI+ inclusion and wellbeing. The PQF coordinates the Parramatta Pride Picnic, one of the largest pride events in Western Sydney.

To learn more about the ‘Welcome Here’ program visit www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/welcome-here and look out for the ‘Welcome Here’ stickers around Parramatta.

Enjoy Happy Hour Drinks

Of course, team drinks are a tried and true after-work activity, and Parramatta’s mix of bars and pubs excel at offering local workers the happiest of happy hour drinks. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable pub environment or a chic modern bar, there are many places you can check out for happy hour drinks in Parramatta.

Alex&Co. is a playful and cosmopolitan bar serving a range of classic cocktails, wines, beers and whiskeys during happy hour. Best known for their fruity cocktails, such as the Spicy Watermelon Marga and Blueberry Illusion, there’s a cocktail fit for everyone’s taste at Alex&Co. If you’re feeling peckish, you can also order from the restaurant’s extensive food menu, complete with sashimi, tacos and pizza.

If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, the Commercial Hotel is another great candidate for happy hour Parramatta drinks. Just a few steps from Parramatta train station, you can enjoy selected beers, wines and spirits at the pub’s beer garden while catching the latest live games at the outdoor sports bar. Happy hour at the Commercial Hotel is between 5 to 7pm.

Spend a Night at Riverside Theatres

Riverside Theatre is a premier performing arts venue in Parramatta and is next to none when it comes to offering immersive and theatrical experiences in Western Sydney. With over 30 exclusive performances running at a time for you to choose from and three different theatre rooms, all offering captivating viewing experiences, Riverside Theatres is the perfect source of live entertainment after work.

Learn more about spending a night at Riverside Theatre, what’s on and the venue’s history.

Treat Yourself to a Delicious Dinner

Treat yourself to a great feed after a long day at work on Parramatta’s Church St. Lined with restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines and at a range of price points, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your food cravings on the famed “Eat St”. Whether you’re after a filling Italian pasta meal or something a bit more snacky like Vietnamese Banh Mi, there’s food for everyone at Parramatta.

Parramatta is also home to some great venues to host after-work dinners with your team. You can either reserve a table at a large, lavish restaurant or book your own function venue for a big team meal.

Check out our top after-work business event hosting locations in Parramatta here.

Visit a Fine Arts Gallery

What better way to get out of an inspiration or motivation rut than with a visit to your local fine arts gallery? If you ever feel like you’ve been zapped out of creativity at work, visiting a fine arts gallery can help with getting your innovative juices flowing and brainstorming your next work ideas and designs. 

Hunter St Gallery of Fine Arts is a boutique studio and gallery in Parramatta run by the City of Parramatta Art Society Inc. Open from 10am to 4pm, the gallery is a great place to visit after a short day at work when you’re in dire need of some inspiration.

There’s a wide range of artworks exhibited at the Hunter St Gallery - from acrylics, to oil urbanscape pieces, to embroidery - and you can also purchase any that catch your eye. Hunter St Gallery is located in the centre of Parramatta CBD, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the train station, making it a convenient place to visit after work.

Go on an Evening Run in Parramatta Park

Getting your day’s worth of exercise is extremely important in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and Parramatta Park offers many trails for a quick, rewarding evening run. The park has a 3.2km scenic loop cycle lane with shared paths, travelling along the Parramatta River and towards Sydney Olympic Park.

While on your evening run, you can also enjoy jogging through the Crescent, Rumsey Rose Garden and Murray Gardens. The Crescent is a historical landmark of national significance for the Aboriginal people and is often lively with local events and concerts. In contrast, Rumsey Rose Garden and Murray Gardens are tranquil and quiet areas you can visit to clear your mind on your evening run.

Host a Board Games Night

Have you ever wanted to host a board games night for a team-bonding exercise for colleagues? Or simply want to enjoy yourself with friends? If the answer’s yes, there are a couple of stores and venues you can visit in the Parramatta area after work to host your fun board games night.

Games Corner on Church St in Parramatta is a highly reviewed gaming venue known for its inclusive, cosy environment and great range of board games for sale and hire. From simple classic games such as Monopoly to more niche games like Azul and Risk, you’re sure to enjoy a night a Games Corner no matter what kind of game you and your company are looking for. Make sure to clock off a little early as the venue closes at 6pm.

If you’re simply looking to purchase a few board games for a fun night at home, Good Games, Eclipse Games Puzzles, and the Games Cube are a few other stores to check out. All around the Parramatta CBD area, you can pop by these shops and browse their wide selection of board games in a couple of minutes.

Join a Pottery Class

Do you want to take up a new hobby while spending time mingling with others? Pottery is a great hands-on craft you can learn with friends. There are many pottery classes you can join in Parramatta after work, such as those at Parramatta Clary & Arts Inc, Parramatta College and Silky Shapes Studio. Depending on what kind of pottery you’d like to make and your skill level, you can choose to join beginner, intermediate or advanced classes with different techniques taught in each one.

Silky Shapes Studio offers a wide selection of pottery classes for newcomers and returning students, with independent studio times as well as after-work class hours (5 to 7pm). You can purchase one-off classes or packaged deals depending on your availability and pottery preferences. After each class, you can take home the beautiful pieces of pottery that you’ve made yourself.

Boost Your Energy with an Exercise Fix

Did you know that one of the best ways to boost your energy after work is to get your heart pumping and exercise? If you’re ever in need of an energy rush after work, consider visiting the local gyms around Parramatta. There are a variety of gym chains in the area, as well as independent gyms with services such as personal training, exercise classes and health reviews. 

No matter what time you get off work, there’s a gym in Parramatta that you can check out. Plus Fitness Parramatta and Strive Fitness Smart Gym Parramatta are two 24/7 gyms that are open around the Parramatta CBD area, and the Universal Fitness Group closes late at 10pm. You can also join gym classes after work for a guided and communal workout session. Parramatta offers many sports and recreational activities, in addition to gyms.

De-stress with a Yoga Class

Yoga is a great way to foster a sense of mindfulness and peace, even when you’re in the most chaotic of moods. As a result, ending a long workday with a relaxing yoga class may be the best way to help you de-stress, gain perspective and prepare for the days ahead.

Yoga Peace Australia is a yoga studio in Parramatta that provides both in-person and online yoga classes to people of all professional backgrounds, fitness levels and health understanding. The studio offers a wide selection of yoga classes and workshops, each applying different techniques to help participants de-stress. Some of these classes include Hatha yoga class, Yin Yang yoga class and Vinyasa yoga class.

If a yoga class sounds good to you, other self-care treatments like massages and facials might also be a great idea. Spend a wellness day in Parramatta and forget about all your work stresses.

Revitalise Yourself with a Spa Treatment

Spa treatments feel the best after a tiring day at work. Whether you’re looking for a simple facial service or a full-body massage, there’s a spa in the Parramatta area that can help revitalise our body and mind after work. Most spas in Parramatta offer a variety of packages so that you can choose exactly what kind of services you’d like.

Moroccan Hamman in Parramatta is a famed spa in the area, known for hand-made products and spa packages designed to nourish and heal. The Royale Hammam package, also known as Queen’s treatment, is a body scrub, hair wash and facial package combining a multitude of organic products to provide the best wellness experience.

The VIP Hammam is the ultimate full-body spa experience, with everything from the Royal Hammam as well as massage and bathing services. Moroccan Hamman closes at 9pm, meaning you can spend hours enjoying your treatment after work.

Exploring Parramatta After Work

Parramatta has a wealth of activities for you to enjoy after work. From enjoying a theatrical performance to joining a pottery class to taking care of your body and mind with yoga, there are many things you can do after work in Parramatta. Make the most of your time in the Parramatta area and try your hand at all the fun and unique activities we have to offer.

As the host of SOUND WEST, Parramatta is proud to welcome visitors to a city that fosters innovation, experimentation and a strong sense of community. With an eclectic mix of cultures, a vibrant food and arts scene, and world-class hotels and venues in the centre of global Sydney, Parramatta is the perfect home for this cutting-edge event.

Parramatta has a long history of creating and hosting much-loved events, from the Parramatta Lanes Festival to Parramasala, and also fostering a vibrant local music scene.

Parramatta is home to 5.8 per cent of NSW’s creative industries workforce, and a growing creative industries ecosystem.