Is Parramatta a good place to stay in Sydney?

Parramatta is a good base if you have business in western Sydney, an event at the stadium or want more space for your money. Parramatta station has frequent trains to Central and the city, ferries run down the river to Circular Quay, and the light rail links the centre with Westmead. It suits business travellers, sports fans and families visiting relatives in the west.

The area is a real city centre, with office towers, Westfield Parramatta and a riverside that's being rebuilt with new parks and walkways. Church Street, known locally as Eat Street, is lined with Lebanese, Chinese, Thai and Italian restaurants, and Parramatta Park holds Old Government House, one of the oldest buildings in Australia. CommBank Stadium is a short walk across the river.

The downside is distance from the harbour. The Opera House, the Rocks and the beaches are a long train or ferry ride away, and evenings in the centre are quieter than in the inner city once the offices close. On game nights the streets near the stadium and the station are busy.

What makes Parramatta worth considering is that it's a destination in its own right. Hotels are newer and better value than in the CBD, the food on Church Street is excellent, and the slow ferry down the river to Circular Quay is a lovely way to arrive in the city.