Old Government House

Old Government House stands in Parramatta Park, about 2 km west of Sydney’s centre, and is Australia’s oldest surviving public building. Built by convicts from 1799, it served as the country residence of the early governors of New South Wales, including Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie. Inside, guided tours take you through Georgian rooms furnished with colonial furniture and household objects, including Governor Macquarie’s bed. The house is part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites. Leave time to see its courtyards and gardens in the surrounding park.

A residence in colonial Parramatta

Built by convicts from 1799, Old Government House is one of Australia’s oldest surviving public buildings. It stands in Parramatta Park, on the traditional lands of the Burramatta Darug people. The house and nearby garrison buildings were built between 1799 and 1816, and the property is part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites.

The house was the country residence of early governors of New South Wales. The first ten governors lived there, including Lachlan Macquarie and his wife, Elizabeth. For the Macquaries, Parramatta offered a country setting away from Sydney Town. The house was also a place where colonial administration took place, including decisions about governing the colony and managing convicts.

Inside the house

Guided tours take visitors through the main rooms and explain how the house was used. The Georgian interiors contain original colonial furniture and household objects, including tools and kitchenware. The collection also includes early textiles and colonial furnishings held by the National Trust.

Governor Macquarie’s bed is among the objects visitors can see. The rooms and their furnishings give a sense of the domestic life of the governors and their families, while the tour adds detail about the building’s history. Ask about a guided tour when you arrive if you want more context than an independent look around can provide.