Why Australia's second-oldest city is named after the eel

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1788, Parramatta is Australia's second-oldest city. Its name, derived from the Dharug language, translates to the place of the eel. This title honors the river's unique ecology, where saltwater meets freshwater, creating a nutrient-rich environment that has sustained both the local Indigenous population and the city's identity for millennia.

Established by Governor Arthur Phillip just months after Sydney, Parramatta was envisioned as a vital agricultural hub to solve the colony's early food crisis. Phillip selected the site because it marked the furthest navigable point inland on the Parramatta River, where the water transitioned from tidal salt to fresh, making it ideal for farming. The area was previously the home of the Burramattagal people, who thrived on the river's abundant resources before being displaced by British expansion.

The city's evolution from a struggling farm colony to a modern commercial center is marked by its layers of history. It hosts Australia's oldest surviving Government House, built in 1799, and Elizabeth Farm, where the nation's wool industry was pioneered in the 1790s. Today, Parramatta serves as a major administrative and legal hub for Greater Western Sydney, housing state government agencies and a dense justice precinct. Its role as a second CBD is cemented by massive infrastructure projects, including the recent completion of the Parramatta Light Rail.

Parramatta's climate is distinct from the coastal Sydney CBD, often experiencing significantly higher temperatures during summer. This intensity is driven by the city's inland position and the urban heat island effect, which traps warmth within the built environment. Furthermore, the surrounding geography, specifically the Blue Mountains, can block airflow, occasionally making the city one of the hottest locations in the region. Despite these extremes, the city remains a critical transport and economic nexus for the metropolitan area.

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