Location: Parramatta Park, NSW, 2150
LGA: City of Parramatta
Country: Dhurug
Region: Western Sydney
Map: Below
Parramatta Observatory was established c. 1822 by astronomer Sir Thomas Brisbane, the sixth governor of the Colony of New South Wales, soon after he and his family settled into what is now known as Old Government House, Parramatta. Much of the observing and associated work was done by Brisbane’s employees, astronomers Carl Rümker (also known as Charles Rümker) and James Dunlop.
Only a few sandstone pillars that once supported Brisbane’s instruments remain on this astro-heritage site, but some of the instruments used here can be seen at the historic Sydney Observatory.
For more on Parramatta Observatory, download the articles below by the late Ragbar Bhathal.
Captions
Top feature image: Obelisk commemorating the Parramatta Observatory built c. 1822, in what is now Parramatta Park, Western Sydney.
Second image: Interpretive signage on the site, with some of the stone structures that supported Brisbane’s instruments. Credits: Merrill Findlay, 16 March, 2024.
It’s worth noting that the colonial policies Governor Brisbane was implementing while he was observing the southern stars caused great loss of life and knowledge of First Nations peoples and the destruction of theirs ways of life. This was especially evident in 1824, when Brisbane proclaimed Martial Law in Wiradyuri Country, west of the Blue Mountains. We remember this time now as The Bathurst War.
Descendants of those who defended their Country at that time remember Brisbane’s proclamation and subsequent conflict as ‘the beginning of the almost complete annihilation’ of their people. And the loss of thousands of years of scientific knowledge and sky lore.
In 2024, Wiradyuri people commemorated the bicentennary of Brisbane’s proclamation and its consequences with a conference, art exhibitions and other events in the IAT City of Bathurst. They also celebrated their survival with a gudyiwagagirri (corroboree) on Wahluu-Mount Panorama, their sacred mountain. More >>.
Caption
Above: Portrait of Major-General Thomas Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales from 1 December 1821 to 1 December 1825: detail from reproduction hanging in Old Government House, Parramatta, engraved by Frederick Bromley, 1842, from a painting by Robert Frain now in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. Photo credit: Merrill Findlay, 16 March 2024.
Below: Gallery showing the Heritage Listed Old Government House, where Thomas Mitchell and his family lived during his governorship. Few, if any, of the objects in this historic building are known to have been associated with the Brisbane family. Photo by Merrill Findlay, 16 March 2024.
This post is a stub waiting to be extended. If you have expert knowledge or lived experience of this site and would like to write about it, please read our authors’ Guidelines and Contact us.
You’ll find Parramatta Observatory and Old Government House in Parramatta Park, Parramatta, Western Sydney, NSW.
Posted 25 March 2025. Last updated 21 September 2025.
Permalink: https://inlandastrotrail.com/parramatta-observatory/