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                 WSU Parramatta Campus Heritage Walk PDF       
                                                                                        Walking Tour PDF

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.

Cliff Walk and Macquarie Lighthouse

The 5km Federation Cliff Walk  from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay offers great views.

 

The walk passes Macquarie Lighthouse,
 (Old South Head Road at Vaucluse), which is Australia's first and longest operating navigational light. Built in 1883, it replaced the 1818 original. 

The Lighthouse is still operational and the cottages are leased for private purposes.


 See my earlier posts for Watsons Bay 
         Coogee to Bondi
        and Hermitage Foreshore walk 

 Location Map (Chrome) 

View from Gap Park, Watsons Bay

 

Woodford Dam

The Woodford Creek Dam was completed in 1928 primarily to supply water for steam locomotives. The dam wall was raised in 1937 and again in 1948 to meet the water needs  of the lower Blue Mountains. It is no longer an active part of the Blue Mountains water supply system.

While the lake and dam are not open to the public some bush tracks near the dam are open to bushwalkers and cyclists, and provide views of the lake and surrounding rugged bushland.
  
       Location map         WaterNSW -  Dam Info & History

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta Reserve in North Parramatta is a bushland reserve originally the catchment for Parramatta's water supply before 1910.

I grew up within 5kms of Lake Parramatta but had never walked around it, until recently.

The State Heritage listed dam wall was completed in

1856 and utilises a single arch design

    The Lake Parramatta brochure warns of uneven surfaces on the tracks around the reserve.

Public transport is available via Hills Bus Route #609 (nearest stop on Bourke Street).

          Beyondtracks  Map of 4.2Km circuit              History