Wistaria Gardens

We are restoring Parramatta’s beautiful historic Wistaria Gardens to its former glory.

We took over the management of the 2-hectare garden and heritage-listed Glengarriff House in July 2022.

The garden is open to pedestrians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Wistaria Gardens originally formed part of the Cumberland Hospital precinct. It holds a special place in the nation’s heritage and is one of Sydney’s most intact surviving Edwardian gardens.

The garden is highly valued by the community for its beauty, cultural heritage and as a tranquil haven on the edge of the bustling Parramatta CBD. In spring when its colourful floral display is at its finest, the picturesque garden is a major tourist attraction for the city.

Glengarriff House was the official residence of the medical superintendent of the asylum from 1907 until 1963. It was then converted and used as a ward for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction (Wistaria House) for 30 years.

Glengarriff House was designed by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ Federation style.

We are making horticultural improvements to the condition of the garden and will consult the community on future plans to protect and restore the property.

We will also consult the community about how they would like us to manage Wistaria Gardens for future generations to enjoy.

Situated on the upper reaches of the Parramatta River, Wistaria Gardens and Glengarriff House are on the land of the Burramatta clan of the Darug people.

Wistaria Gardens was built in 1906 as the residence for the medical superintendent of the Parramatta Lunatic Asylum, Dr William Cotter Williamson,. Dr Williamson brought the original wisteria cuttings to Australia from Japan in 1907. He was in Japan to chaperone his 2 daughters, Nightingale and Nora. Both daughters were accomplished musicians and were there on a tour. Nora was regarded as one of Australia's greatest violinists in the early 20th century.

Landscaping features of the gardens include the former Japanese tori gates, classical urns and lychgates at the entrances.

Plant species include:

• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
• Japanese wisteria (W.floribunda) vines
• Flowering peach (Prunus persica cv.)
• Almond (P.amygdalus) trees
• Palm trees (Washingtonia robusta)
• Tree gardenia (Rothmannia globosa)
• English elms (Ulmus procera).

Beds of annual plants line the pathways and driveways along the grass terraces, as well as Parramatta River.