Lake Parramatta Reserve

Lake Parramatta Reserve is the largest surviving bushland remnant in the Parramatta council area, wrapped around a sandstone dam finished in 1856 that was the first large dam built in Australia. The Lake Circuit runs 4.2 km around it, two kilometres from the Parramatta CBD. Dogs are welcome on lead, with one condition the council states plainly: they must remain on established tracks.

The walk. Council grades the Lake Circuit at grade 3 and allows two hours for the 4.2 km loop, which sounds generous until you meet the rock steps. It is built from four shorter tracks joined together: the Heritage Path, the Arrunga Bardo Walk, the Reservoir Track and the Upper Lake Track. If the full lap is too much, the Heritage Path is grade 1 and only 300 metres one way to the Dam Wall Lookout, on a surfaced accessible path with a couple of steeper pinches. The Arrunga Bardo Walk is grade 2 and 900 metres to a lookout over the still water.

The rules. City of Parramatta manages the reserve, which is proclaimed a Wildlife Refuge and a protection area under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Dogs must be on a lead at all times and stay on the established tracks. Cats are banned entirely. Dogs are not permitted in the designated swimming area at the visitor hub, and bicycles are not allowed on the walking tracks. The one that surprises people: council runs periodic fox baiting programmes using 1080 poison, usually around October and November, and dogs are excluded from the reserve while baits are down. Signs go up at the entrances, so check them at the gate before you unload the car.

Water. Bubblers and toilets are at the visitor hub near the car park, along with free barbecues and picnic tables. Out on the circuit there is nothing, and the inner bush tracks get hot in summer. The lake itself is off limits to dogs at the swimming beach.

Hazards. The creek crossings. Council warns that the Upper and Lower Hunts Creek crossings can be impassable during and after rain, and asks people not to use the Lake Circuit at all when water is flowing over the stepping stones. Take that literally, because the alternative is retracing a long way with a wet dog.

Getting there. Main entrance from Lackey Street off Bourke Street, North Parramatta. The gates open at 6.30am and close at 5.30pm, extended to 7.30pm during daylight saving, so time the loop to finish well before closing. Parking by the lake is limited and fills fast; overflow parking is beside the Bourke Street entrance. Hills Bus route 609 from Parramatta station stops on Bourke Street.

Nearby with the dogs. Dan Mahoney Reserve is the fenced off-lead option nearby. The Container handles coffee afterwards, and Punthill Parramatta takes dogs if you are staying the night.

When to go. Early on a weekday, after a dry spell rather than a wet one. Sunday is the busiest day here by a distance. Good for nervous swimmers, since the water stays firmly out of reach and the bush does the work instead.

Sources

• Lake Parramatta Reserve Visitor Guide | City of Parramatta · www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
• Lake Parramatta Reserve Visitor Guide Brochure | City of Parramatta · www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
• Dog walking in parks | NSW National Parks · www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Lake Parramatta Loop - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.