Elizabeth Farm
Make yourself at home at Elizabeth Farm, a rare example of an early Australian colonial bungalow built in 1793 for John and Elizabeth Macarthur, pioneers of the Australian wool industry.
Elizabeth Farm is a unique museum that allows visitors to experience life in the early 1800s through open rooms and ‘hands on’ experiences. The homestead’s deep shaded verandahs overlook a beautiful recreated colonial garden containing trees from the first years of settlement – including Australia’s oldest European olive tree.
Enjoy a guided tour or wander at your own pace. Pull up a chair before an open fire, sit on furniture, leaf through family letters and enjoy the changing displays as tales of history and passion come to life.
After exploring the museum and its gardens relax over coffee or a traditional ‘devonshire’ tea in the Tearooms (open Friday to Sunday 10am–4pm. Telephone 02 9635 9488).
Events
Elizabeth Farm presents 'Colonial Kids At Work And Play' every Saturday. Kids can travel through time and do as the Macarthur kids did! Dress up, do the washing, make the bed and play traditional games like skittles, hoops and quoits. Every Saturday at 11:30am-12:15pm (45 minutes). Free with museum admission. For more information visit www.hht.net.au.
Elizabeth Farm. Photograph © Chris Shain
Check out the events section to see if Elizabeth Farm is hosting any other events or activities that might be of interest.
Travel Instructions
Elizabeth Farm is approximately 30 minutes by car from the centre of Sydney and 5 minutes by car from Parramatta. Parking is available in Alice Street.
Public Transport
If travelling from Sydney by public transport, you can catch the Parramatta RiverCat from Circular Quay (50 minute journey). Elizabeth Farm is a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride from the ferry stop.
It is a short walk to the house from either Harris Park (Western Line) or Rosehill (Carlingford Line) train stations. The express train from Central train station takes 30 minutes to Parramatta. Change at Parramatta for Harris Park or Rosehill train station or the walk takes approximately 20 minutes from Parramatta.
Veolia Bus (number 909) leaves regularly from Parramatta Station for Bankstown, travelling via Elizabeth Farm (bus stop corner of Alice and Alfred Streets). For Veolia Bus timetable details telephone 02 8700 0555 or visit their website.
Elizabeth Farm is a feature of the Harris Park Heritage Walk. The walk begins at Parramatta Wharf and loops around the heritage properties. It is a 2.4km, 45 min walk which also includes Hambledon Cottage and Experiment Farm Cottage.
