Parramatta Gaol Ghost Tour

The Parramatta Gaol ghost tour takes you through the historic prison. It is said to be haunted by the prisoners who tragically lost their lives within these walls. As you walk through row upon row of original cells, you’ll have a chance to see for yourself if it’s really haunted or not.

There are two different tours for you to choose from at the prison. The ghost tours are more focused on history and telling the stories of the prisoners who carried out their sentences here. You’ll also hear of experiences where people have claimed to witness ghostly sightings. This isn’t an interactive tour and is more family-friendly than the ghost hunt tour.

The ghost hunt tour also takes you around the gaol, but this one gives you guidance, tools and methods to try communicating with any spirits haunting the prison. This is an interactive tour and only for the brave, so consider yourself warned! 
Parramatta’s first gaol was built in 1796 because of all the robberies occurring in the new penal colony. In 1799 it was burned and poorly rebuilt the following year. A third and final gaol was built as a replacement a few decades later and remained the local prison until it was permanently closed in 2011. It is located north of the Parramatta River near the top end of Cumberland Hospital.
 

Old Government House - Friends of Old Government House monthly ghost tours

The Old Government House was built in 1799 and is Australia’s oldest surviving public building. It’s located on the east side of Parramatta Park near the river. It was built by convicts and is now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of eleven convict sites in Australia on the UNESCO World Heritage List and contains a major collection of Australian colonial furniture. With such an effort to preserve and recreate the original atmosphere of the Government House, it’s no wonder so many spirits linger here.

These highly educational Parramatta ghost tours are hosted by The Friends of Old Government House. You can join them on a candlelit tour that revisits the scene of a tragic accident and shares stories of others who have experienced ghostly encounters on these grounds. The tour starts at the Old Government House and includes a wander through Parramatta Park, so wear comfortable walking shoes. This is not a tour for little children, and all participants must be at least 16 years or older. 

This ghost tour is a unique way to learn about the more than 200-year-old property and people who lived there all those years ago. It provides a different experience to what you’ve seen in museums or read in books before as it truly brings history to life. 

The tours are held on the third Friday of each month and on Halloween 31st October every year. You can book your tickets at the Old Government House – Ghost Tour events page. At the end of the tour, you’ll be provided with a light supper of tea, coffee and something sweet. This will be your chance to chat with your guides and the others on the tour about what you’ve seen and experienced. 
If you want to learn more about the Old Government House after the ghost tour, you can come back during the day to revisit it in the daylight. The House is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm with timed entry tickets. 
 

Riverside Theatres

Riverside Theatres is much more than your standard theatre – it’s the largest performing arts venue in Western Sydney, hosting around 750 performances and events each year. From recent films to old favourites, from independent films to kid’s classics, the schedule is always packed with great options.

Along with family-friendly films, Riverside Theatre also offers Children’s Theatre seasons with hand-picked productions for kids. They also keep the parents in mind when picking the season’s line-up, showcasing only the best to make sure kids and adults alike enjoy the show. 

If your family is looking to experience live theatre, Riverside Theatre also has live performances on stage. Check the schedule regularly to stay on top of the line-up and secure your tickets before the show sells out! 
The theatre is located between the Parramatta River and Prince Alfred Square on Market Street. If you walk across the bridge, you’ll find plenty of restaurants perfect for families. The choices are endless - from pizza at MAMA & PAPAS to traditional souvlaki at SouvLucky.
 

Events Cinemas

Event Cinemas is a classic movie theatre with a premium experience. It’s located within Westfield Parramatta and shows the latest and greatest from Hollywood.
Event Cinemas offers Family Saver Sessions that let you save on family movies. They also have a special Grandparents Pass for senior members with a Cinebuzz membership. If you’re looking for a family outing over the weekend, check out their Weekend Family Flicks deals.

There are plenty of places for you to grab a meal before the show starts in Westfield. You can choose from one of the many restaurants nearby or head to the food court where everyone can pick their own dish. Some favourites include Flipp Burgers, and Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill.

After the movie, you can walk to Rivareno Gelato to end the night on a sweet note.

Disney + Drive-in at CommBank Stadium

For all the Disney fans out there – keep your eyes out for the Disney+ Drive-in presented by Openair Cinemas at CommBank Stadium. You can share the excitement of drive-in theatres with your kids as they experience Disney, Pixar and Marvel classics in a whole new way.

Tickets are priced by car, making it a fun and affordable spin on the movie cinema experience. If you’re worried about how good a movie could be without food – they have you covered! Not only is there a kiosk onsite selling popcorn, confectionery, and soft drinks, but they’ve also partnered with the food delivery platform DoorDash. This means you can order whatever you want, and the staff will take it straight to your car bay for you.

It is worth noting the movie audio will be supplied via an FM transmitter, so all cars need to have a radio in the car. Radio apps won’t pick up the frequency, so it needs to be a physical radio. The one built into your car will work great, or you can hire a portable radio onsite for $20.

What to do before or after the movies

Movies are only one of many family-friendly activities in Parramatta. You could also pair a second activity after watching a movie to have a themed weekend! For example, if your kids are keen to join the circus after watching Dumbo, take them to Circus Arts. There are many classes for them to learn new skills like flying trapeze, juggling, pyramids and hula hoops.

If your kids recently watched Robin Hood and are looking to join his band of Merry Men, take them down to the Archery Centre in Olympic Park. For any little one taken with the sport, put them in one of the school holidays courses to really hone their skills.

Parents with older children who like action and thriller movies can take their kids to experience the Labyrinth Escape Rooms. Another competitive option for some adrenaline-inducing fun is laser tag at Code Red Laser. The teamwork needed to solve the puzzle in the escape room and dominate the competition in laser tag will create some exciting memories. These are also great activities for birthday parties!

For a more extensive list of kids activities, check out 10 outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained.

Growing office scene

Parramatta CBD continues to grow as a major commercial and retail hub for Western Sydney, with Parramatta Square playing a key role. This central precinct is nearly finished and is already attracting large corporations to open offices in this new location, which is projected to welcome 24,000 office workers.

This increase in professional and corporate jobs is being seen in the employment profile of Parramatta. Research from 2016 found 1 in 3 people (31.7%) are working professionals, with the other two top occupations being clerical and administrative workers (15.4%) as well as managers (12.7%).
 

Easy commute

Parramatta’s CBD is well connected to the rest of the city and Sydney through the train station, ferries and the M4 Motorway. 

With Parramatta and the local area projected to see a population growth of over 400,000 people in the next 20 years, the local and state governments are already planning for ways to support the anticipated travel demand. This includes the light rail coming soon and plans for a new Parramatta Metro West station. The city will continue to offer the most accessible transport network around the region.

Parramatta as Sydney’s central meeting place

Parramatta is at the geographical heart of Greater Sydney and within 30 minutes of more than two million people across Sydney. Its central location is easily accessible through many modes of transportation.

The diversity of talent and culture from around the world also makes it a welcoming gathering place for people to meet and work. Parramatta Square offers premium office space with many cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy.

Café culture

Parramatta is well known for its cafés and eateries and is one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan places to live in Western Sydney. Parramatta has a wide range of cafés and restaurants that reflect the harmonious multiculturalism of its population.

There are plenty of good places to go to for meetings or to take a coffee break during the day. Here is a list of must-try coffee stops to help you start exploring the vibrant café culture of Parramatta.

Cheap, delicious lunches

Parramatta is a great place to work because you are surrounded by delicious – and cheap – lunch options. Every day you can decide if you want to visit your favourite spot or try something new.

Take a stroll down ‘Eat Street’ (located on Church Street), and we promise you won’t get very far before finding something amazing to eat. If you feel spoilt for choice and don’t know where to start, here is a list of the best lunches under $10 in Parramatta.

Happy hour

Happy hour is a definite perk for coming into the office. There are many great happy hour specials for you to enjoy throughout Parramatta CBD.

While you’re bound to find an office favourite in no time, here are a few popular options to get you started:

• If you’re near the train station: The Ruse, Nick & Nora’s
• Within Parramatta Square: CicciaBella, LILYMU
• Near the river: ALEX&Co.

Green space

Parramatta is committed to preserving, protecting, and creating green space throughout the city. There are many places within walking distance of the CBD for you to escape the office and enjoy nature, whether that’s for a short walk or a long lunch.

To the west of the CBD is Parramatta Park. In the middle of the business precinct is Centenary square, and you can walk along the river foreshore. South of the train station, moving towards Harris Park, is Jubilee Park with its famous Gandhi statue.

Home to Australia’s top universities

The City of Parramatta is home to Australia’s top universities, including Western Sydney University and Alphacrucius College. Ranked 20th and 80th respectively out of the thousands of universities in Australia, the City of Parramatta is proud to host such impressive universities and build a promising study culture.

Western Sydney University (WSU) is ranked in the top 2 percent of universities worldwide. It is a globally-focused and research-led university, producing stellar academic and professional results. It offers students both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with specialties in the business, arts, communications, IT, engineering, and health fields. Due to the university’s high academic standards, admission into its courses is highly competitive and based on academic merit.

Alphacrucis College is a multidisciplinary Christian college known for its liberal arts courses. Not only that, but the college also offers top-quality courses in business, community services, education, leadership, ministry, music, media, social science, and theology. It is also the official training college of Australian Christian Churches. The college’s wide range of educational disciplines makes it ideal for students looking to gain exposure to different fields and kinds of people.

Many other top universities in the state also have additional – or are currently developing – campuses in Parramatta, making attending the university much more convenient for local students. These include the University of New England, and Swinburne University of Technology. The University of New England’s Parramatta campus is located in Parramatta CBD and Swinburne is located on Fitzwilliam St, right next to Westfield Parramatta. The University of New South Wales is set to join Australia’s top universities in Parramatta by opening a global education hub later on in 2022. The University of Sydney has also announced the opening of a Parramatta campus towards 2050.

Rich in arts and culture

The City of Parramatta is one of the biggest hubs in Western Sydney, rich in arts and culture and home to a diverse, multicultural community. It is a great place to help you develop a broader sense of community and gain a higher worldview. Parramatta hosts a multitude of cultural festivals, events, and activities throughout the year, making it a great place to visit to learn some insight into particular cultures you may be interested in or to simply enjoy the arts.

From the fantastic Riverside Theatre to the Parramatta Heritage and Visitors Information Centre to the Parramasala festival, there is an array of entertaining experiences in Parramatta which will enhance your understanding of the world. Having such a diverse community means that Parramatta has nurtured an inquisitive and open-minded culture, making it a great place to study.

Accessible location

One of the biggest perks of studying in Parramatta is the city’s accessible location. As Sydney’s second CBD, the City of Parramatta is located in Western Sydney and can be reached via all forms of public transport (including ferry, bus, and train). This means that no matter where you are in Sydney, you have a wide range of travel options to help you reach Parramatta.

Not only is Parramatta accessible, but the city also contains a range of restaurants, shopping venues, and health facilities to enhance your experience studying at Parramatta. Students can spend their study breaks exploring the city and enjoying the various foods and shops. 

State-of-the-art study and schooling facilities

As the modern development hub in Sydney, the City of Parramatta goes the extra mile to ensure all students in the area are given access to state-of-the-art study and schooling facilities. From the new and improved Parramatta Library to various education centres such as Dymocks-owned Potentia Tutoring, there are many educational resources and facilities available to you in Parramatta, no matter your level of schooling.

Parramatta Library offers many helpful studying services, such as online library access, public computers, printing facilities, study tables, and meeting rooms. Students can become a library member by registering online and will gain instant access to all the helpful services provided by the library. 

Real-world opportunities for growth

As one of Australia's largest commercial and cultural hubs, you can find all sorts of businesses offering students real-world growth opportunities in Paramatta. Due to its central location and welcoming community, many global brands such as QBE Insurance, Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG all have large offices in Parramatta.

The companies give back to the Parramatta student community by offering student programs, internships, and mentorships to help interested individuals get a head start in the workforce. Students in Parramatta can rest assured that they will be provided a wealth of local workplace opportunities while studying, no matter their field of interest. This means that students can apply their learnings in the real-world much quicker than the average student.

Make the Most of Studying in Parramatta

Make sure you have the best education experience by studying in Parramatta. Enrol in one of the top universities in Australia and study hard using the state-of-the-art schooling facilities available in Parramatta.

You can also take advantage of the accessible location, wealth of business and workplace opportunities, and the multicultural community to broaden your perspective and learn outside of the classroom. Do yourself a favour and study in Parramatta!