The Subway Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifying campaign when they host Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, 21 March.
Sydney shines year-round with an action-packed calendar of events. Be swept away by a performance of a lifetime. Watch a blockbuster sporting event that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Find yourself drawn into the city’s stories at an exhibition. And when the sun goes down, stay out late – there are laneways to explore, unique food and wine and live music to sing along to. Come out and play.
Parramatta
Discover a rich history and vibrant multicultural food and arts scene in Sydney’s second-largest city. The commercial heart of Western Sydney, Parramatta also boasts plenty of natural beauty, thanks to its riverside location; UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict sites; and oodles of restaurants, shops and festivals.
Things to do
Home to a melting pot of cultures, Parramatta enjoys a vibrant arts and culture offering, which includes world-class performances and annual festivals such as the popular Parramasala and Parramatta Lanes. For cultural enthusiasts, the first stop is Riverside Theatre, a performance arts centre that hosts over 1,000 events a year. Next, scope out an exhibition at Pari, an artist-run initiative dedicated to telling hyper-local stories through contemporary art.
Walk, cycle or join an Aboriginal cultural tour along the pretty Parramatta River, which winds past Old Government House – the country residence of the first 10 governors of the Sydney colony – in beautiful Parramatta Park. Both spots are World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.
Visit the spot where former convict James Ruse successfully grew the colony’s first wheat crop in 1791 and tour the 1835-built Experiment Farm Cottage. Wool pioneers John and Elizabeth Macarthur owned Elizabeth Farm, an Australian colonial homestead. The site contains the oldest surviving European building in Australia. For more history, visit John Macarthur's Hambledon Cottage Museum.
A short stroll from Elizabeth Farm is Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, or race-goers will know it better as the home of the richest horse race in the world for two-year-old thoroughbreds – the Golden Slipper. Check out the events calendar for more race days, as well as other shows, exhibitions, festivals and historical tours.
Eat & drink
Head to popular eat street along
In the new Parramatta Square dining precinct, head to Lilymu for pan-Asian and Harvey's Hot Sandwiches for a retro American diner experience. For one of the prettiest brunches in Sydney, stop by the Social Hideout.
Parramatta’s southern neighbour Harris Park, a veritable ‘Little India’, is a guaranteed good feed. The main strip is lit up with dozens of delicious eateries and street stalls, including the popular Chatkazz, Dosa Hut, Ginger Indian Restaurant, Momozz, Jaipur Sweets and Not Just Curries. For a behind-the-scenes look, join an I Ate My Way Through tour.
There’s also a buzzy nightlife, with plenty of bars to hop between, including Nick and Nora's, a rooftop champagne bar offering views from the 26th floor. For riverside views, stop by the sprawling, 350-seat Alex & Co for cocktails. The beer gardens at The Post and The Albion Hotel also make for a perfect perch on a sunny afternoon.
Getting there
A delightful way to travel to Parramatta is by ferry from Circular Quay, gliding under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and along Parramatta River past Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta Wharf. The scenic trip is about 85min. The train from Central Station is about 25min and the drive is 30min.
A Sport lover's guide to Sydney
Visiting Sydney for a big game, or simply love to indulge in all things sports-related (and competitive) when travelling? Round up your mates and read our guide to the best places to eat, drink and play during five days of adventure.
Highlights
- Kayak Sydney Harbour then enjoy a dumpling feast
- Have a traditional Italian breakfast before touring the Sydney Cricket Ground
- Drive a cutting-edge go-kart with a top speed of 65km/hr
- Snack your way through the street food of Little India
- Taste some of the best brews in the country on a Marrickville brewery tour
Five day family fun
Climb Sydney’s famous bridge, run wild at Luna Park, get lost and then found in escape rooms and surf Sydney’s finest waves. Sydney is an ever-changing playground of family fun and adventure.
Highlights
- Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an Aboriginal Australian as your guide
- Get lost in wonder in a secret garden
- Eat your way around Burwood’s best late-night eats
- Walk the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
- Hit the racetrack at Sydney Motorsports Park
Upcoming Events
For all upcoming events in Sydney, please visit: www.sydney.com/events