Hidden within the western suburbs is
Experiment Farm Cottage, a piece of heritage that tells an important part of Sydney's story.
Given its unprepossessing appearance, it's hard to imagine that this
National Trust property could have helped the fledgling colony grow into the international city that it is today.
The site's history dates all the way back to 1789. With Sydney running low on food,
Governor Arthur Phillip awarded the plot to
James Ruse, an English convict farmer. The purpose of Australia's first land grant was to discover if establishing a self-sufficient farm was possible and, if so, how long it would take. Ruse managed to achieve the feat in 15 months, proving that the small, isolated community could stand on its own two feet.
The highlight of Experiment Farm Cottage is its Indian-style bungalow, which is one of the country's oldest standing residences. The home features period furnishings, while the grounds have been landscaped to as closely reflect those early days as possible.
Entry to the
Harris Park site is $7 for adults, $5 for concession and $19 for families. Plentiful parking is available, or you can make the one kilometre walk from Parramatta station. It's also worth noting that
Elizabeth Farm is just a gentle stroll away, which means that you can knock off two historic attractions at once.
If you're wondering how accessible Experiment Farm Cottage is for wheelchair users or those of limited mobility,
click here.
