Old Government House in Parramatta Park
Acknowledgement of Country
This is Dharug land. We recognise Old Government House as a key site of colonisation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians, the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation, where the con takes place. We recognise that they have told stories here for millennia and that sovereignty was never ceded.
How do I get there?
If you are coming by public transport, the venue is 1 kilometre (about 15 mins’ walk) from the Parramatta Transport Interchange (train & bus), or 700 metres (about 10 mins’ walk) from the Church Street light rail stop.
If you are coming by car, you can park:
- In Parramatta Park for free (after 6pm on Friday for the gala and all weekend). The nearest parking area to Old Government House is the Bowling Green Car Park.
- If you are a Club Parramatta member, there is also free parking in O’Connell Street where the club stands.
- The Justice Precinct car park in Hunter Street is also fairly reliable but costs $14 per day.
You can also be dropped off by car right outside the venue.
About the venue
Old Government House is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. The convict-built Georgian house is the oldest surviving public building in Australia and now a museum. Find out more at the National Trust website.
The con takes place in the ‘backyard’ of the grounds; see the map below.
The entrance to the grounds is via Federal Avenue to the south (purple arrows). Check in here and get your con ID.
- The Marquee (blue dots) hosts the plenary sessions and the book stall;
- The Welcome Room (red hashtag) is for workshops; and
- The Laundry (green asterisk) is our quiet space where you are welcome to chill out, do some focused writing or use it as a prayer room.
Toilets are located at the magenta dashed rectangle.
Accessibility
The areas where the con will take place are accessible for people who require mobility assistance, including accessible parking, ramps and an accessible bathroom. However, there are no handrails along the pathways. We regret that there is no hearing loop at the venue.
Should you wish to visit Old Government House (not part of the con ticket), please be advised that it is a heritage building and the upper floor of the house is only accessible via stairs.
Around the venue
TOILETS: Please note there are only three toilets onsite: male, female and all gender/accessible. There are two additional toilet blocks about 250 metres away: one is the Pitt Street Public Toilets to the south (off the Bowling Green Car Park) and the other is the O’Connell Street Public Toilets to the southeast.
GREEN SPACE: Parramatta Park. So much park all around. Behold! A river to the north.
FOOD/DRINK: The onsite cafe is currently being renovated but you are welcome to bring your own picnic and take advantage of the grounds.
The closest food venues are Club Parramatta (an RSL club) and Good George (a kiosk), both 300 metres away by their direct routes, about 5 mins’ walk. Other food outlets are further afield including Marsden Street (650 metres) and ‘Eat Street’ on Church Street (700 metres), about 10 mins’ walk even if the pedestrian lights don’t care for you.