Welcome To Parramatta
Have you seen Parramatta lately? Western Sydney's capital has undergone 10 years of rapid growth and has emerged as a dynamic contemporary city with a busy business and social scene that reflects the cultural diversity of Greater Sydney.
Great food, good shopping, a calendar of events and festivals, sprawling parklands, heritage sites, and a thriving after-hours nightlife with pubs, clubs, theatres, movies and sport under lights...
It's a great place to visit with plenty going on any day of the week. So jump on the ferry, and head west to Sydney's thriving river city - discover Parramatta!
Latest News
Introducing 'Parramasala'
Parramasala - the Australian Festival of South Asian Arts - a cultural celebration and exciting new addition to the city's events line-up. Kicks off November this year!
Parramasala 2010 will be held in centre of Parramatta city. It will be held over five days and will feature a dazzling array of Indian arts drawn from mainland India, the Indian diaspora and Australia.
Parramasala is planned to grow and reach full scale by 2012. In its second and third years it will feature arts and performance from the entire South Asia region, and will be held over 10 packed days. In addition to the arts programs, Parramasala will include sporting and business activities.
The program for the 2010 festival will be released in September 2010 so stay tuned. Register for more information at www.parramasala.com
Artist's impression of Parramasala - a joint initiative between Events NSW and Parramatta City Council.
Did You Know: New Express Ferry Service for Parramatta
Parramatta now has a faster, more regular ferry service that makes it easier to travel to and from the city by water.
The new service departs Parramatta Wharf at 7.00am Monday to Friday and is timetabled to arrive at Circular Quay within 55 minutes. The last River Express service departs Circular Quay for Parramatta at 7.00pm. The express service will make just one stop at Rydalmere en-route to Circular Quay.
For a copy of the new timetable go to http://www.sydneyferries.info/news/403/122.htm.
Restaurant and Bar News
Running commentary on the latest from Parramatta's food and bar scene. Spot something new? Call us on 1300 819 774 or email.
Major renos taking place at the old Commercial Hotel in Hassall Street with a multi-million dollar refit underway. Massive beer garden to house outdoor stage for live music, contemporary interiors, new external paintwork and a much bigger bistro. Aiming to complete in April.
Coco Cubano in the pipeline for Parramatta, after making it big in the Cross and the City. The DA's in for the corner of Church and Phillip Streets. See Good Living's report last year: http://www.tinyurl.com.au/2by
And on the opposite corner of Church and Phillip - Abi's has just been replaced by 'Zeytin'; a Turkish caf/restaurant.
For anyone who's missed it - mini dining explosion occurring in Harris Park with at least 6 new Indian venues opening in the last 12 months. Connaught Place, Kem Cho!, Mashawi, Spice of Life... and soon the new Chutney and the chai shop Kuber.
And on the subject of Harris Park, the Doueihi Grocer and Baker on Wigram Street is worth a visit - family service, great packed products and the best cooked-on-site Lebanese bread in town, http://www.tinyurl.com.au/2c0
The newly opened Spice of Life, Harris Park can hold up to 500 people
Coming Events
New Dining Guide!
The 2010 Dining Guide is out! 300 restaurants, cafes and bistros. Call 1300 889 714 for your advance copy.
MoreParramatta Farmers Market
Parramatta Farmers Market, a feast for the senses, and the best in fresh food and produce, every Sat and Thu lunchtime.
Eels Season Kicks Off Mar 12
The Eels take on the Dragons in the first clash of the season. 12 March, Friday Night Footy, at Parramatta Stadium. (Images courtesy of nrlphotos.com)
Places
Harris Park
Multicultural Harris Park has great food, produce stores and especially good desserts. Indian, Greek, Italian, Lebanese and Japanese all feature in the retail mix.
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Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Rosehill Gardens hosts Australia's richest day of racing, AAMI Golden Slipper, on the first Sat in April. It is also home to regular Sat racing, with the best thoroughbreds in NSW.
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