Morning: Step back in time

Start your day in Parramatta by travelling back to 1793 – no DeLorean needed, just take a step into Elizabeth Farm, the oldest homestead in Australia. The home of Elizabeth and John Macarthur, pioneers of the Australian wool industry, this living museum offers a tangible snapshot of early settler life: explore the original rooms of the bungalow, wander the 1830s-style garden, sit at the kitchen table and even take a sticky beak into real letters and newspapers from colonial times.

Elizabeth Farm, Rosehill

Continue your back-in-time tour over at Old Government House, Australia's oldest surviving public building. Built by convicts back in 1799, this World Heritage-listed Georgian house was the country residence for the first 10 Governors of the colony, including Governor and Mrs Macquarie. Not sure where to start? Helpful volunteers can guide you through the historic rooms, where you can get up close to the National Trust’s colonial furniture collection, early textiles and significant homewares.

Old Government House, Parramatta

Afternoon: Get back to nature (or check out an exhibition)

All this time travelling will work up an appetite, and you won’t need to go far to find a picturesque lunch spot. Right on the doorstep of Old Government House, Parramatta Park offers more than 80 hectares of lush parklands overlooking Parramatta River. Spread out a blanket and unpack a picnic on the historic lawns (in their former life, these grounds were used as farmland for convicts and were even once an open-air prison) and take a post-lunch wander through the gardens, playgrounds and heritage buildings. 

Haven’t pre-packed lunch for your Western Sydney adventure? There’s no need to leave the park for a bite to eat. Right beside the George Street Gatehouse, Good George Cafe has you covered with decadent pastries, light meals and coffee. Over on the banks of Parramatta River, Misc is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snag a sunny spot outside so you can take in the scenery.

Parramatta Park, Parramatta

After you’ve refuelled, find your wild side at Lake Parramatta Reserve. With more than 70 hectares of natural bushland and a glistening lake, this is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Parramatta’s natural beauty. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or go for a leisurely buswalk along one of the three walking tracks that circumnavigatethe lake. Keep your eyes peeled for native animals – these bushlands are a known habitat for sugar gliders, blue-tongue lizards and even echidnas.

If you want to stick to the city centre or are visiting on a rainy day, instead of exploring the parks and reserves, head indoors at Powerhouse Parramatta. The area’s first-ever state cultural institution is set to open its door this November on the banks of Parramatta River, with five brand-new exhibitions and more than 3,000 objects on display.

Powerhouse Parramatta, Parramatta - Credit: Andrea Mora

Evening: A taste of the world

Every day trip requires an end-of-day feast, and with Parramatta’s multicultural dining scene, you’ve got the world right at your feet when it comes to dinnertime. Harris Park, a veritable ‘Little India’, is a guaranteed good feed. The main strip is lit up with dozens of delicious eateries and street stalls, including the popular Chatkazz and Dosa Hut. Take a walk around the buzzing area and take your pick of restaurants, or for a behind-the-scenes look, join The Modern Desi on a walking tour.

Chatkazz, Harris Park - Credit: Leigh Griffiths

The best way to finish your epic day out is with a view to remember. Clink your glasses at cocktail and champagne bar Nick & Nora’s, a glamourous post-prohibition-era rooftop bar. Perched above 26 floors, you’ll get uninterrupted views of Parramatta’s city skyline, the river and even the Blue Mountains rising in the background. Let their expert mixologists shake you up an elegant tipple inspired by 1930s fictional crime-fighting duo Nick and Nora Charles. If you’re still peckish, graze on fresh oysters, decadent meat and cheese platters, and canapes. 

Nick and Nora’s, Parramatta

For those that prefer arts and culture over cocktails, grab tickets to one of Riverside Theatre’s many productions. There’s something for everyone at this busy performing arts hub with musical theatre, opera, plays and contemporary dance performances on year-round.

Riverside Theatre, Parramatta