April 2014 Report
Venue
Parramatta – the park and other older areas
Participants
Ron, Chris, Colin, Natalie, Helen, Yvonne, Peter and Richard for part of the walk
The start
The group met at Circular Quay and caught the River Cat to Parramatta, picking up Yvonne on the way. After coffee we walked to the park via the river and Lennox Bridge (built 1836-1839 by David Lennox, first Superintendent of Bridges in the colony).
Highlights
Brislington, a red brick Georgian residence built for ex-convict John Hodges, possibly as a hotel. Currently used by the health system.
George St Gatehouse, built 1865-1885 in the Tudor style. Renovations have just been completed and it is now possible to tour the house and learn about future plans.
The obelisk commemorating the spot where Governor Fitzroy’s wife died in 1847 after falling from a horse carriage.
Old Government House, first erected 1799 and developed to its present state by Governor Macquarie between 1815 and 1818. It was the residence of the nation’s first 10 governors and the farm provided food to stop the first settlers starving.
The bath house, originally Governor Brisbane’s wash room.
Boer War Memorial, a Greek Revival portico built in 1837 as part of the Parramatta courthouse and re-erected as a memorial to the Australian soldiers who died in the Boer War. Canons are dated 1806-1810.
The dairy cottages, probably built 1790’s and part of the original dairy.
St John’s Cathedral, built between 1799 and 1803 with the twin spires added in 1820. Samuel Marsden was the first minister to preach here.
Lancer Barracks, the oldest military buildings in continuous use in Australia.
Hambledon, built by Macarthur in the early 1820’s for his children’s governess. Magnificent oaks, eucalypts, jacarandas and a cork tree fill the area.
The finish
Yvonne and Peter headed back to the ferry via Queens wharf, originally built by convicts, while the rest of the group went to the train.
Venue
Parramatta – the park and other older areas
Participants
Ron, Chris, Colin, Natalie, Helen, Yvonne, Peter and Richard for part of the walk
The start
The group met at Circular Quay and caught the River Cat to Parramatta, picking up Yvonne on the way. After coffee we walked to the park via the river and Lennox Bridge (built 1836-1839 by David Lennox, first Superintendent of Bridges in the colony).
Highlights
Brislington, a red brick Georgian residence built for ex-convict John Hodges, possibly as a hotel. Currently used by the health system.
George St Gatehouse, built 1865-1885 in the Tudor style. Renovations have just been completed and it is now possible to tour the house and learn about future plans.
The obelisk commemorating the spot where Governor Fitzroy’s wife died in 1847 after falling from a horse carriage.
Old Government House, first erected 1799 and developed to its present state by Governor Macquarie between 1815 and 1818. It was the residence of the nation’s first 10 governors and the farm provided food to stop the first settlers starving.
The bath house, originally Governor Brisbane’s wash room.
Boer War Memorial, a Greek Revival portico built in 1837 as part of the Parramatta courthouse and re-erected as a memorial to the Australian soldiers who died in the Boer War. Canons are dated 1806-1810.
The dairy cottages, probably built 1790’s and part of the original dairy.
St John’s Cathedral, built between 1799 and 1803 with the twin spires added in 1820. Samuel Marsden was the first minister to preach here.
Lancer Barracks, the oldest military buildings in continuous use in Australia.
Hambledon, built by Macarthur in the early 1820’s for his children’s governess. Magnificent oaks, eucalypts, jacarandas and a cork tree fill the area.
The finish
Yvonne and Peter headed back to the ferry via Queens wharf, originally built by convicts, while the rest of the group went to the train.