Bring a hamper and share a picnic with your family on the front lawn of Old Government House. Surrounded by the beautiful parkland of Parramatta Park, this family-friendly event will draw upon the writings of Mrs Macquarie, who lived at Old Government House in the early 19th century, and other women, to recreate the picnics of a bygone age.
Tours of the Dairy Cottage, one of the oldest intact cottages still standing in Australia, will be available while children are invited to try Parramatta Park’s new convict and heritage-themed inclusive and accessible playground, located just down the hill from Old Government House.
Bookable activities on the day include the following (full program below):
*Attend the picnic – FREE but please register your interest by clicking the ‘get tickets’ link above
*Book a delicious one-of-a-kind picnic hamper, reflective of the exhibition era, from Lachlan’s Restaurant:
$22 per adult, $16 per child. Book by Sunday 27 October via phone 9687 2662. Please advise dietaries at time of booking. Vegetarian option available. Hampers to be collected on the day from Lachlan’s restaurant.
*FREE Tours of The 1798 Dairy Cottage Precinct
11.30, 12.30 or 2pm. Meet at the Dairy Cottage 5 minutes before
Booking is essential by 30th October (click ‘get tickets’ link above)
*Plus visit the Women of Distinction exhibition inside the house (pay on the door).
Program:
11am – Smoking ceremony by local elder, Chris Tobin
11am-2pm – Old fashioned games on the lawn
11am-2pm – Tea and coffee provided by the Friends of OGH
11.30am – Scottish country dancing display by local branch of Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm – Dairy cottage tours
12noon – Public can join in with Scottish dancers
1.30pm – Ochre painting on gum trees outside of OGH
Period or traditional dress is encouraged, but not essential.
This event is being run in partnership with the National Trust of Australia (NSW), Parramatta Park Trust and City of Parramatta.
How to get there:
The closest vehicle entrance to Old Government House is on the corner of Pitt and Macquarie Streets. Timed parking is available throughout the park. The closest station is Parramatta station which is about 20 mins walk away. There is a free shuttle bus (number 900) that goes around the Parramatta CBD and drops people on O’Connell Street, on the eastern edge of the park.