WSU Parramatta Campus

This post features some buildings of interest on the Western Sydney University Parramatta campus, at Rydalmere.

The Boilerhouse and chimney, circa 1894 (above) were once part of the steam laundry. They now act as a landmark at Campus Square - with food outlets and recreation areas.

The Female Orphan School building (circa 1818) was modelled on Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie's family home in Scotland. Within the building is The Whitlam Institute. This includes the Whitlam Prime Ministerial Collection and The Margaret Whitlam Galleries - with a changing program of art and social history exhibitions.
1888 the building was set apart as a Hospital for the Insane. It remained part of Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital until the building was closed in 1969, as it had become increasingly dilapidated.

The Drill Master's Building circa 1868

Medical Superintendent's Residence circa 1870

WSU Parramatta campus is located near the Corner of James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road Rydalmere. We caught a (M52/525) bus from stand A3 near Parramatta station. (10 minute ride).

     Location map                 
                                                                                  
We returned on the RiverCat ferry service.

The campus is a ~30 minute walk from Rydalmere Wharf along Parramatta Valley shared Cycleway, which runs along the Southern side of the campus.

Rydalmere to Olympic Park

This excursion started with a RiverCat journey from Parramatta to the Rydalmere wharf. We walked along the River Trail from the wharf to the Silverwater bridge.

Rivercat from the Silverwater Bridge

Crossing the bridge to the southern bank of the Parramatta River, we continued along the shared (walk & bike) River Walk to the Blaxland Riverside Park, probably the biggest payground in Sydney. The Park was originally part of the Newington Estate granted to pioneer grazier John Blaxland, brother of the famous explorer Gregory Blaxland.

Section of Blaxland Riverside Park

Newington Armory Gatehouse

A little further on we came to the Newington Armory's original 1897 gate house (above). The former RAN Armament Depot, is situated between the southern bank of the Parramatta River and the former Olympic Village, now the suburb of Newington. We couldn't explore the Armory as it is only open on weekends.
3-ton stationary electric wharf jib cranes (below right), installed on Newington Armory wharf in 1974.

 

We continued walking along the river bank to reach the Sydney Olympic Park wharf.

Olympic Park Maps                                                             Olympic Park Bike hire

Kokoda Track Memorial

With ANZAC Day approaching, it seemed an appropriate time to post these photos from our visit to the Kokoda Track Memorial walkway. This 800 metre walk, between Rhodes railway station and Concord Hospital, is a tribute to "the bravery of Australian troops who fought through atrocious conditions against vastly superior enemy numbers, in the Papua-New Guinea campaign of July 1942 - January 1943 "

The centrepiece of the memorial is this semi-circular area, enclosed by granite walls, etched with photographs taken during the campaign. The plants surrounding the area simulate the lush tropical environment of New Guinea.

Brays Bay Ship Building Memorial, Rhodes

The site of the WWII Commonwealth Shipyard No.4, where small ships were constructed for service in WW2, is near the Rhodes end of the Kokoda Track memorial walk. The Brays Bay Reserve site acknowledges the contribution of those who built the ships, and of those that served on them. The public art, in the photo above, is symbolic of a ship’s bow.

 Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway site, with link to brochure
Information about Brays Bay reclamation: ABC 'Gardening Australia'

Parramatta River at Parramatta

Barry Wilde Bridge, Parramatta

These three bridges near the city's centre, cross a short stretch of the Parramatta River above the Charles Street weir, 19Km upstream from Port Jackson.

The bridge in the photo above was named after a former mayor and state politician. The pathway in the foreground is part of the 'Riverside Walk' which leads from the ferry wharf  to the 'Heritage Centre' next to Lennox bridge. Through art and interpretive signs it tells the aboriginal history of the area.

The Elizabeth Street footbridge is an award winning cycle and foot bridge which features an interesting public artwork .

'Wake' by Greg Stonehouse and Susan Milne was inspired by "the gliding movement of oars" and the "flight of birds".


                 

      Lennox bridge (below) was designed by the colony's first Superintendent of Bridges, David Lennox.

It has since been modified but was originally completed in 1839.

Lennox Bridge, Parramatta

                                            See also my 'RiverCat' and 'Parramatta Park' posts     

 

  Location map              Additional photo of footbridge

Circular Quay to Parramatta by RiverCat

This excursion is on Sydney Ferries RiverCat  catamaran (express service), which takes you under the Sydney Harbour and Gladesville bridges, on a pleasant 20Km cruise from Sydney's Circular Quay to Parramatta City.

The vessels can hold over 200 people, mostly in the cabin area, but they can get crowded, so we chose a weekday for this outing. We were fortunate that we were able to find a spot outside at the bow, as it’s the best spot if the weather is suitable.

The cruise takes about an hour to reach the wharf at Parramatta. The Parramatta River is tidal to the Parramatta wharf and some services don’t run because of low tides, check for affected services before you travel.

From the wharf (photo left) you can catch a free shuttle bus around Parramatta (the bus operates frequently Monday to Saturday). I suggest you catch the bus to Macquarie Street West (stop3), then walk to Parramatta Park and up the hill to Old Government house, Australia's oldest public building. It was the country residence of the first ten Governors of the colony and primary residence of Governor Lauchlan Macquarie. It has a restaurant/café on the site. (See ‘Walk Parramatta Map’ download, page 2).
The previous stop at “Westfield”, has a good basement food court and a connecting tunnel to Parramatta Station to return to the city by train.

Tip: If you are traveling from Parramatta, leave after the morning commuters. 

More photos near Parramatta ferry wharf