Heritage Day at Parramatta North

Heritage Day at Parramatta North is family-friendly, with guided tours of sensitively restored heritage-listed buildings, historical talks, live music, great food, market stalls and children’s activities. 

This event is part of the 2025 Australian Heritage Festival, Australia’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage, running from Friday 18 April to Sunday 18 May. Coordinated by the National Trust of Australia, this year’s theme - "Unearthed" - invites communities to explore untold stories, rediscover the past, and pass on cultural knowledge to the next generation. 

Heritage tours and historical talks are free and require pre-booking with tickets allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Please note that some events require pre-booking with tickets allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. All tours and talks are approximately 45 minutes duration. Select GET TICKETS to secure your spot now. 

Heritage walking tours 

Ticket holders must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time 

• Session times: multiple times throughout the day 
  Tours of the Roman Catholic Orphanage and ParraGirls  
  On the Australian National Heritage List since 2018, recognised for its outstanding heritage value to the nation as a place that demonstrates Australia’s social welfare history this tour includes the Parramatta Female Factory, Parramatta Lunatic Asylum, Roman Catholic Orphan School, Parramatta Girls Home, Kamballa and Taldree Children's Shelter and the Norma Parker Detention Centre for women. 

• Session times: multiple times throughout the day 
  Tours of the Parramatta Female Factory.
  Explore the significant heritage buildings and history of this place with a guided tour of the Parramatta Female Factory, on the Australian National Heritage List since 2018, recognised for its outstanding heritage value to the nation. 

Historical talks – 45 minutes duration  

Ticket holders must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time 

• Session time: 10.30am  
  Banished Beyond the Sea - the impact of transportation on the lives of convicts, hosted by Parramatta Female Factory Friends.  

• Session time: 11.30am  
  Family history archives, presented by Museums of History NSW.   
  
  
• Session time: 1.30pm  
  Punishments in the Parramatta Female Factory and Beyond, hosted by Parramatta Female Factory Friends.  

Honouring its place on Ngurra 

Parramatta North is located on the homeland of the Burramada people of the Dharug Nation.  

In collaboration with the Traditional Custodians, Knowledge Holders, and those with new and enduring connections to this important place, Aboriginal perspectives continue to shape its health and wellbeing. 

The NSW Government is committed to retaining the 6-hectare heritage and cultural precinct, which includes the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct – a National Heritage listed land parcel within the Parramatta North precinct (total 42 hectares) – in government ownership. The heritage and cultural precinct has been on the Australian National Heritage List since 2018, recognised for its outstanding heritage value to the nation as a place that demonstrates Australia’s social welfare history.  

Learn more about Parramatta North.