Parramatta

The Parramatta Tourist information and Heritage Centre, is where Church St crosses the river at Lennox Bridge. It has a free exhibition showing the history of Parramatta from colonial to modern times.

bridges

Parramatta River runs through the Parramatta CBD. There is a weir at Charles Street which is the limit of navigation from Sydney. Between the Charles Street Weir and the O'Connell Street Weir the river is really only a wide canal, though there are a number of pleasant riverside walks including walks by the northern bank by the Riverside Theatres and on the south bank through the new Justice Precinct. The river widens upstream of the O'Connell Street Weir. There is another weir damming the river further upstream in Parramatta Park. There are a large number of bridges spanning the river, in the city centre. In order they are -

Gasworks Bridge

Macarthur Street near its junction with George Street (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au...). The bridge was built in 1885. It is supported by large sandstone piers and was a significant bridge construction when built. See Riverside walk below.

Charles Street Weir

marks the upper reaches of the present day tidal influence on the river, you can walk along the river from here until the Marsden St Bridge.

Elizabeth Street Footbridge

Elizabeth Street (http://www.buildingdiagno...)

Barry Wilde Bridge

crosses the Parramatta River at Smith Street. Prior to the construction of the Charles Street Weir this was the uppermost reaches of the tidal influence of the Parramatta River.

Lennox Bridge

Church Street (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au...). This bridge is the most famous, and is one of the oldest in Australia. It was built by the colony's first superintendent of bridges David Lennox in the 1830s. It is on the site of the first recorded crossing point on the Parramatta River. The bridge has been classified by the National Trust. See Riverside walk below.

Marsden Street Bridge

Marsden Street Weir

this weir holds back the Parramatta River and was the source of Parramatta's first water supply built under instruction from Governor Macquarie. The current weir is not the original weir. Prior to the Marsden Street bridge being constructed the weir was the Marsen Street crossing but frequently flooded.

Bernie Banton Bridge

O'Connell Street, named after a famous Australian asbestos victims rights campaigner.

historical landmarks

As Parramatta was the first site of European settlement outside Sydney it contains many historical landmarks. How interesting this is to you, will depend on your historical perspectives. The oldest buildings here date to the colonial settlement in the early to mid 1800's. Old Government House, and Elizabeth Farm are the two primary historical sites.Topp Tours conduct guided tours of Parramatta landmarks (http://www.discoverparramatta.com/travel_and_maps/tours/topp_tours as does Past Times Tours (http://www.pasttimestours...)

cemeteries

Destiny Tours conduct Ghost tours of the Parramatta Cemeteries (http://www.destinytours.com.au/parramatta.htm as does Past Times Tours (http://www.pasttimestours...)

St John’s Cemetery

in O’Connell St,between Argyle and Campbell Sts, is Australia’s oldest Christian cemetery. The oldest surviving grave is Henry Dodd 1791. The Reverend Samuel Marsden is also interred here. OPEN: Daily in daylight hours.

St Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery

corner of Church St & Pennant Hills Rd, dates from Governor Macquarie’s time.

All Saints Cemetery

(http://www.parracity.nsw....) Street contains the grave of noted explorer Gregory Blaxland, who led the first expedition across the Blue Mountains.

Mays Hill Cemetery

(http://www.mayshillcemete...) Land grants were made in 1839 and 1849 to establish Presbyterian and Baptist cemeteries which soon expanded to include burials for other denominations. Regular tours are held by the Friends Of Mays Hill Cemetery.