Congratulations on visiting somewhere other than harbourside Sydney. Parramatta was the early seat of government. The original Government House (the site of the revolt against Governor Bligh - yes, the same Bligh) took place in what is now a large park just to the west of your walk. Parramatta is the head of navigation of Sydney Harbour (where the fresh water meets the saltwater). The ferry ride between Circular Quay and Parramatta is a close second to the Manly Ferry for sightseeing. Along the foreshore near the ferry wharf are plaques commemorating lots of personal stories from Aboriginal and European people around when settlement by the latter first occurred. Most of Sydney's population is in the west, far from beaches and the harbour. Parramatta is actually very close to the population centre of Greater Sydney. If you go under the James Ruse Drive bridge ferry just out of Parra, you will see the words "I sowed the forst grain" (sic) commemorating how the convict farmer Ruse was the first to successfully grow grain nearby to supply the colony. You noticed the Metro station under construction. That's to serve the growing population (now 270,000) and the numerous high rise residential buildings up to 67 stories high. The new Light Rail you passed running along the streets will soon be opening.