Where have the governors of NSW traditionally resided?
The first residence of the Governor of New South Wales was a canvas and timber structure brought out on the First Fleet by Governor Phillip in 1788. A more permanent building was constructed on what is now the corner of Bridge and Phillip Streets in Sydney the same year ; the site now occupied by the Museum of Sydney. The new building was extended and patched up over the years by successive governors but was always in poor condition. The house had extensive grounds to its east (the Governor’s Domain), much of which remain today as the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain and the grounds of the present Government House. A second Government House was erected in what was then an important agricultural centre and is now the suburb of Parramatta, 25 kilometres inland. This house, in far better condition and in a park-like setting, was much preferred by successive Governors as the Sydney building continued to deteriorate. This building survives today in Parramatta Park as a National Trust prope
