Parramatta

Parramatta, the second British settlement in Australia, was founded in 1788 and was originally known as Rose Hill. It is almost completely surrounded on the west side by the city's suburbs. It was originally planned to make Parramatta the seat of government of the colony, leaving the town with Australia's oldest public building, Old Government House, a fine specimen of colonial Georgian architecture begun in 1790.

Elizabeth Farm House (well restored) was built in 1793 by John MacArthur and his wife Elizabeth, making it probably the oldest surviving private house in Australia.

Other interesting buildings are St Patrick's Cathedral, Roseneath House (c 1834) and some restored terraced houses in Phillip Street. Also of interest is the old cemetery of Parramatta, with the graves dating from the end of the 18th C.

The Lancer Barracks (1818) are the oldest barracks in Australia.