Lake Parramatta
Walk Highlights
- Distance: 1.5, 2.5 or 4.2 km
- Time: 30 mins, 1 hour or 2 hours return
- Location: James Ruse Drive, Parramatta
- Facilities: Picnic tables, bbq, water, toilets, car park
- Getting There:
- Highlights: Untouched native eucalyptus forest surround the expansive lake and the bird colonies it nourishes
Walking Track Description
The bush and walking tracks around Lake Parramatta have been popular with Sydneysiders since the the first settlers arrived from Sydney, and of course, we’re best known by the original locals, the Burramattagal clan of the Dharug people.
A popular picnic, swimming and fishing hole with families and nature lovers in the area, the park also hosts the Arrunga Bardo Bush Food Garden, where culturally significant native plants are raised and their applications within native communities are described (medicine, food, tools).
The lake offers three well-signed walks, of varying length and difficulty, though none of the walks are very challenging. Dogs are welcome on a leash and there are picnic tables, bbqs and toilets near the main car park, where the three walks start.
She-oak Track
The smallest track (1500m return) sets out from the east of the carpark following the water’s edge for 750 m before looping back along a ridge to the carpark.
Banksia Trail
Continuing the She-oak track, the Banksia Trail (2400m return) takes in the eastern side of Lake Parramatta, and, as the name suggests, a grove of HairPin Banksias.
Lake Circuit
For the full experience, the Lake Circuit (4200m return) meanders it’s way along the lake edge and includes a mix of banksia, eucalyptus and gums harbouring such birds as rosellas, kookaburras, cormorants, storks and reptiles such as water dragons.
Short Walks RSS
[…] Lake Parramatta […]
Hi
I like your site very much. I am disabled and have begun a website showing suitable walking tracks for wheelchairs in Sydney. Would you be interested in posting a link to my website somewhere on your site? i would do the same for you.
regards, Glenn
Can you tell me if lake parramatta is suitable for wheelchairs? any steps? smooth pathing or gravel rough? thx
My website is http://www.sydneybywheelchair.webs.com and would love to swap links with you
[…] Lake Parramatta. […]
This walk says it is sign posted well but this is not the case we found walking the entire circuit. I walked it with my daughter and there were many parts where the tracks split into 2 or 3 paths and you didn’t know which one to take. There is a part where it seems you should cross over some water but we chose to continue on the path thinking maybe there was another way around the lake….we ended up miles away from the circuit and luckily came out in suburbia and had to catch a taxi back. Sure we are not experienced walkers but it doesn’t help when there are so many tracks! We are thankful it was in the middle of suburbia because if it was in the bush we would have been lost!
Hello,
I would like to organise our Christmas Picnic Party at the BBQ site of Parramatta Park.
Is it possible to book seating space or the BBQ for Sunday 22nd November. 11am to 2pm?
Kind regards
Leanne Pereira
0414741482
[…] has bushwalking experiences in abundance no matter what your region. We love the circuit around Lake Parramatta, the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral walk, Bobbin Head Point, Evans Lookout in the Blue Mountains and any […]
[…] Lake Parramatta , Parramatta […]
[…] Lake Parramatta offers numerous walking and cycling tracks, as well as a cafe. Home to a diversity of migratory birds and flora, these wetlands are an ideal […]