Lake Parramatta Walks and Tracks

A serene lake surrounded by dense forest. A person on a paddleboard glides on the calm water. A child in a purple hat watches from the shore.

Lake Parramatta Reserve is an open space, environmental and heritage gem within the City of Parramatta.

The reserve sits on Country traditionally cared for by Aboriginal people of the Dharug language group. Some relics of Aboriginal occupation exist on site today in the form of remnant shelters, hand-stencils, fl­aking scars and midden deposits.

The reserve contains the Lake Parramatta reservoir, which was completed in 1856 and was the first large dam built in Australia. It was originally made of sandstone blocks quarried on-site, as seen today from the Dam Wall Lookout. The dam was a crucial part of Parramatta’s water supply until 1909, when the city was connected to Sydney’s water system (following the construction of the Cataract Dam).

An enduring legacy of the dam for Parramatta was the creation in the 1880s of a water reserve protecting its catchment. This was later expanded to cover the natural area now protected in the reserve.

Today the reserve forms a vital part of a connected network of natural areas. These provide essential habitat for an array of native wildlife across the Parramatta River Catchment. Please help to protect these values by following the reserve’s user regulations.

Before you visit, make sure you check out the reserve’s Visitor Guide, and if you’re a nature buff, the detailed Field Guide.

Walking tracks

Lake Parramatta Reserve contains a number of walking tracks, as shown on the map below, which can be downloaded here.

Heritage Path

  • Length: 300m one way
  • Grade: 1
  • Colour on map: Purple
  • Details: Follow this surfaced wheelchair accessible path around from here to the Dam Wall Lookout. Some short steeper sections exist on this path. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them

Arrunga Bardo Walk

  • Length: 900m one way
  • Grade: 2
  • Colour on map: Orange
  • Details: Starting from the Arrunga Bardo Garden follow the evenly surfaced bush track past Lake Parramatta’s finest views to the Arrunga Bardo (Calm Waters) Lookout.

Reservoir Track

  • Length: 600m one way
  • Grade: 3
  • Colour on map: Blue
  • Details: Steep steps, a creek crossing and rocky track surfaces make this a grade 3 outing to a fine viewpoint.

Lake Circuit (all tracks combined)

  • Length: 4.2km / 2 hours
  • Grade: 3
  • Colour on map: All colours
  • Details: From the Dam Wall Lookout, continue on via the Reservoir Track / Upper Lake Track / Arrunga Bardo Walk to complete a loop of the lake

 

An overview map of walking tracks in Parramatta.

View a PDF version of the map(PDF, 1MB).

A zoomed in view of the visitor hub map.

Regulations and cautions

Please be aware that the Upper and Lower Hunts Creek Crossings may be impassable during and after light to heavy rain events. Do not use Lake Circuit when water is flowing over stepping stones at creek crossings.

Dogs are to be kept on leads at all times and cats are not allowed in the reserve at all. No bicycles are allowed on walking tracks. Bicycles are permitted on Illawong Drive and sections of the Management Trail in eastern parts of the reserve.

Swimming is not advised in areas other than the designated area in the Visitor Hub.

Video

Watch this video to learn about the unique features of Lake Parramatta.

Discover more about Bushwalks in Parramatta.

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