Parramatta Female Factory, Historic female convict institution in Parramatta, Australia.
Parramatta Female Factory is a sandstone compound built in the early 1800s with several original buildings spread across the grounds. The structures show where women worked, slept, and received medical care during their time here.
The facility was designed in 1818 and opened in 1821 as the colony's first dedicated prison for women convicts. It became a key part of colonial settlement as thousands passed through its gates over the following decades.
The site served as a workplace where women learned practical trades like sewing and textile work that shaped their daily routines. These skills gave structure to their time and became central to how this community functioned day by day.
The site lies west of Sydney and welcomes visitors with guided tours that explain the daily operations and history. Most pathways are level, making the grounds fairly easy to walk through for most visitors.
Most women who passed through this place came from Ireland and brought their own languages and traditions with them. This Irish influence left lasting marks on the early history of the Australian colony.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
