Lake Parramatta Reserve and recreation area

With more than 70 hectares of bushland to explore and only two kilometres from the Parramatta CBD, a visit to Lake Parramatta is the perfect way to enjoy a sunny Sydney day by the water. With the lake open for swimming from October each year, the Summer season is the time to shake winter off and reserve a spot by the water, fully patrolled by lifeguards. Hire your choice of a boat from Parramatta Rowboats with kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, stand-up paddle boards and row boats on offer. Take a stroll around any of the walking tracks, from the She-oak track (1.5 kilometres-return), the Banksia Track (2.4km-return), the 4.2km Lake Circuit that winds its way around the periphery of the Lake, and the 1.8km Arrunga Bardo Walk. Enjoy a Picnic, barbecue and the Playgrounds, pull up a patch of grass or choose a rock overlooking the water. A significant place for the traditional owners of the land, evidence still remains of the regular usage of and occupation by the Aboriginal-Burramattagal clan within Lake Parramatta Reserve and Hunts Creek. Look out for shelter caves, hand-stencils, stone-flaking, tree scars and midden deposits, as well as a Bushfoods Garden.