Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta is Australia’s oldest surviving European homestead, offering visitors a rare chance to walk through rooms and gardens much as they were in the early colonial period. This guide lays out how to plan your visit with up-to-date opening times, transport, parking and other practical details for first-time travellers.
It includes clear logistics on access, facilities, accessibility and frequently asked questions to help you organise your visit effectively.
| Location | 70 Alice Street, Rosehill, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia |
|---|---|
| Entry price | Free (booking recommended) |
| Opening hours | Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm (plus daily in NSW school holidays) |
| Best time to visit | Late Friday morning |
| Parking availability | Limited free street parking nearby |
| Typical visit length | 1 to 2 hours |
History and overview of Elizabeth Farm
Stepping up the path toward Elizabeth Farm feels like crossing a threshold back into the earliest days of European settlement in Australia. Built from 1793 for John and Elizabeth Macarthur, pioneers in the development of the wool industry, the homestead stands on gently rising ground overlooking the Parramatta area and speaks of the colony’s early social history. Set within a recreated 1830s garden, the sandstone-floored rooms and encircling verandas evoke domestic life in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in a way that ordinary museums rarely do.
Rather than restricting movement with ropes or barriers, Elizabeth Farm is presented as an “access all areas” house museum where visitors can move between rooms, sit in period furnishings and wander through garden paths that echo the estate’s early plantings. The experience combines architectural history with the broader context of colonial expansion, pastoral ambition and life on Dharug Country.
This is one of the attractions that most visitors to Sydney miss, but it’s amongst the city’s top historical museums. You just need to be prepared to head out west while in Sydney.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
How to get to Elizabeth Farm
Elizabeth Farm is in Rosehill, a short distance west of the Parramatta CBD. If you are travelling by public transport, Parramatta Station is the nearest major train stop and is roughly a 15-minute walk away. From the station, head north and west along local streets toward Alice Street. Buses from Parramatta and surrounding suburbs also serve stops near the farm, making combined bus and walk options practical.
Cycling and walking from central Parramatta are straightforward in good weather, with waymarking showing local routes. Taxis and rideshare services can drop you close to the entrance at 70 Alice Street.
Parking at Elizabeth Farm
There is limited free street parking near Elizabeth Farm along Alice Street and adjacent roads. These spaces are not dedicated museum parking and may fill early on busy days, so allow extra time if driving. Additional paid parking in the Parramatta area can be found closer to the town centre, requiring a short walk or public transport transfer back to the farm.
Opening hours at Elizabeth Farm
The museum is generally open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am until 4pm, with extended opening during NSW school holidays on most days at the same times. The site is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Bookings are recommended before arrival even though entry is free, as walk-in access can be limited by capacity and tour scheduling.
Best time to visit Elizabeth Farm
Late mornings on Fridays tend to be quieter in the house and garden, giving you space to explore exhibits and interior rooms at your own pace. Saturdays, especially in school holiday periods, attract more families and groups. Parramatta’s summers can be warm, so earlier visits in the day help avoid peak heat in the garden. The sandstone verandas and shaded lawn provide cool spots even on warmer days.
Facilities at Elizabeth Farm
Facilities include public toilets and a small shop where you can browse books and souvenirs related to early Australian history. Picnic areas in nearby Elizabeth Farm Reserve offer spaces to sit outdoors, though there is no café on site. Local cafés and restaurants in central Parramatta are a short distance away if you wish to combine refreshments with your history visit.
Accessibility at Elizabeth Farm
Elizabeth Farm welcomes visitors with access needs and is largely wheelchair accessible with level paths throughout most ground-floor areas. Some historic thresholds and surfaces are uneven due to the building’s age, so visitors with mobility concerns may wish to contact the staff ahead of their visit for advice.
Nearby attractions
- Experiment Farm Cottage
- Old Government House at Parramatta Park
- Harrington Park Heritage Precinct
- Parramatta Park and riverfront
- Parramatta Heritage Centre
Practical questions about visiting Elizabeth Farm
| Is it free? | Yes, entry is free but booking before arrival is recommended. |
|---|---|
| What time should I arrive? | Arrive near opening at 10am to explore at a relaxed pace. |
| How long should I allow? | Allow 1 to 2 hours to tour the house and gardens. |
| Is it suitable for children? | Yes, the interactive house environment and garden offer interest for children with supervision. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | Yes, most areas are wheelchair accessible; contact staff for assistance. |
| Are there nearby cafés? | Yes, cafés and eateries are in Parramatta town centre. |
| Can you bring food? | Yes, bring food for nearby picnic spots, and carry out all rubbish. |
| Is public transport reliable? | Yes, trains and buses to Parramatta Station provide dependable access. |
| Where is the best parking? | Limited free street parking nearby; alternative paid parking in Parramatta may be needed. |
More Sydney travel
Other Sydney travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Sydney’s top historic museums – including the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney.
- What to expect at Calmsley Hill City Farm.
- How travelling with kids makes Sydney different.
- A luxury travel guide to Sydney.
- A practical guide to visiting the Australian National Maritime Museum.
