We recently were given a complimentary stay at the Novotel Parramatta for the weekend, so though we’d share what we did with the kids while there.
We took our one-year-old daughter and our 8-year-old nephew with us for a couple of days of fun in Sydney’s “second CBD”.
You can watch our Instagram reel on the Novotel here and on what we got up to here.
Elizabeth Farm:
Our first stop was to the historical home of military couple John and Elizabeth Macarthur in Rosehill, less than a 10-minute drive from Parramatta’s centre.
Elizabeth Farm was built in 1973 and is one of the oldest houses in Australia and despite being a part of Sydney Living Museums, it’s an interactive experience the whole family can enjoy. We were able to walk through the living areas, sit on the furniture, feel the possum-fur blankets on the beds, see the original kitchen and explore the gardens.
Our nephew was given the chance to wash some old clothes the “old-fashioned” way, with a wash board and a bucket. He was also allowed to pull on the ropes in the living and bedrooms, ringing the bells for the servants to bring tea.
The museum also has an outdoor area where you can sit and enjoy the surrounds, plus there’s a gift shop too.
The house is open 10am-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays and admission is free. Visit sydneylivingmuseums.com.au for more information.
Novotel Parramatta:
Our next stop was to check in. We parked in the Novotel and made our way up to the lobby and then to our room on the 10th floor. The twin room had two double beds and all the usual must-haves for a weekend getaway. There was also plenty of space for the port-a-cot, which we requested from reception and our view was of the pool, with Parramatta River peeking through the background.
We took a walk around Level 2 of the building to check out the hotel’s pool with spa and the adjoining gym, which features plenty of cardio machines as well as some for weightlifters too.
Our stay at the Novotel was prompted by their kids special, “Playtime in Parramatta”, where kids eat free. After a good night’s sleep, we popped down to 350 Restaurant and Lounge in the lobby and enjoyed a buffet breakfast. There were scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, roast tomato, an assortment of fruits, cereals, pastries and breads too.
Its central location meant everything was walk-able, with the Riverside Theatre directly opposite the hotel. This theatre is known for hosting a range of shows and performances, so if you’re thinking of booking tickets to a show but aren’t sure where to stay, the Novotel might be your best bet.
Their Playtime in Parramatta promotion includes a night’s accommodation, free breakfast for the kids and secure parking from $215. To find out more, head to novotelparramatta.com.au
Eat Street:
We enjoyed dinner along Eat Street, with a variety of restaurants, cafes and burger joints lining both sides of Church St. This is where the light rail will eventually run, creating a shared pedestrian pathway for locals and visitors to enjoy.
We chose dinner at Bondi Pizza, but there was everything from Guzman Y Gomez, to Butter, Crinitis, Alex + Co, BayVista, Messina and many, many more.
Centenary Square and Westfield Parramatta:
After dinner we took a stroll down to Centenary Square, home to a few new commercial buildings and a soon-to-be-completed public domain. This is also where the train station pops out, so it’s an easy walk to the Novotel if you choose to come by train.
The square is often home to the odd event and markets, so it’s a great idea to check and see if anything exciting is happening there during your stay.
Westfield Parramatta is just around the corner from here, so we decided to pop in for half an hour and let our nephew run wild in TimeZone. He had a blast playing on all the game machines while our little one chilled out in her pram (mind you it may have been sensory overload for her!).
On our walk back up Eat Street, we stopped off to grab some Messina, where the ice cream scoops were the size of our heads.
Parramatta River and Park:
The next morning, after breakfast, we took a stroll along the river, where a bike path runs alongside green gardens. We made our way to Parramatta Park and let both kids have a play.
This park included a climbing structure, sand pit, wet-play area, musical instruments, swings and more. Plus, it was set next to an open clearing where the kids can kick a ball around too.
It’s also located moments from CommBank Stadium, home to the Parramatta Eels.
We had a great time exploring Parramatta and everything it has to offer, while also enjoying the Novotel and its kids-eat-free breakfast. If you’re looking for a staycation that’s out of the ordinary and won’t break the bank, Parramatta is definitely worth a look.
You can watch our Instagram reel on the Novotel here and on what we got up to here.
*The Novotel Parramatta was a complimentary stay, however this post is not sponsored
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