Parramatta
Whether you take the train, brave the clogged arterial road that bears its name or you rock the River Cat, it's for certain that you'll return from your Parr-amour with racks of clothing and a
a satisfied tum.
How To Get There
River Cat Take
the more scenic route with a River Cat. The boats depart from Circular
Quay (one an hour) and arrive at Parramatta within an hour. $7.70 one
way, $3.80 concs. $15.40 return, $7.60 concs.
Train Catch a train from Central Station (Western Line) to Penrith and you'll
be there in 30 minutes. Peak - single: $4.20, concs/child: $2.10;
return: $8.40, concs/child: $4.20; off-peak return: $5.80, concs/child:
$2.60.
Car From Central head straight up Broadway onto Parramatta Road, and then
on to the M4. Follow the signs to Parramatta. The trip is 25km and
takes just over 35 minutes.
Riverside Theatres
The hub of Parramatta's entertainment is the Riverside Theatres,
located, as the name suggests, right next to the Parramatta River. It
houses three dedicated theatre spaces offering up the best in drama,
dance and comedy. It's home to The Laugh Garage, Sydney's
longest-standing comedy club, who moved in earlier this year, and it's
right smack bang in the middle of the Church Street restaurant district
so you can really make a night of it.
Riverside Theatre Cnr Church and Market Sts, Parramatta 2150. (02 8839 3399)
The Laugh Garage Comedy Club (02 8883 1111)
Westfield Parramatta Shopping Centre
Who's got the largest shopping centre in NSW? Parramatta, that's
who. With the highest density of outlets outside of the CBD (495
retailers), this is a shopping die-hard's dream. Having recently added
a concourse that joins Westfield with the train and bus interchange,
you won't even need to come up for air. During September get a free
mini makeover, fashion tips and a glass of pink bubbly from the Fashion
Hub in the Centre Court. (SN) 159-175 Church St, Parramatta 2150. (02 9891 3929 westfield.com/parramatta).
Eat & Drink
For the best selection of beers in the west, Bavarian Bier Café is
where it's at. Offering ten different beers on tap plus six by the
bottle and schnapps to boot, you could easily settle down for the day
and rack up the steins. If a schnitzel the size of your head doesn't do
it for you in terms of snacks, try Temasek around the corner for some
exceptional Malaysian food. The nasi lemak is one of the most
beautifully presented in town while the chicken rice's clean, clear
flavours win out. Get in quick though - the lines are out the door at
lunch time. (MR)
Bavarian Bier Café 2-8 Phillip St, Parramatta 2150 (02 8836 1400).
Temasek 2-4, 71 George St, Parramatta 2150 (02 9633 9926).
Parramatta Jesus
Who are you? I'm a forklift truck-driving rugby league fan
who supports the Parramatta Eels. I'm known by other league fans as
"Parramatta Jesus" but after ten years I'm retiring the robes. I'll
still go to the games, just without the outfit.
Parramatta Jesus - that's quite a name. It was 1999 and
someone told me I should put a costume on. I made a cloak; the Jesus
thing wasn't intended.A group of Parramatta fans came up with the name.
They showered me with rubbish all day - all in good fun, of course.
If you could have one prayer answered by the Almighty what would it be? If I were to ask for the Parramatta Eels to win the Grand Final it
would be unfair on the rest of them. No, all I'd ask for is for the
boys to be dedicated and play to the best of their ability. That'll do.
If Jesus Christ played league, what position would he be? Fullback because he is your last line of defence and if you want to get
to the heaven of the try line you've got to go through him first. Did I
mention that I used to play full back?
Has it been a religious experience for you? Every team has
their own little flocks that always go together to the games. I feel
privileged to have met so many fans from across Australia. You might
pay each other out, but at the end of the day it's all friendly and
after the match you can all still slip into a holy watering hole for a
beer. (JF)
The Eels play at Parramatta Stadium, O'Connell St, Parramatta 2150. Adult $17-$35; Child & concs $10-28 from Ticketek (132 849)