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, and it sits barely two kilometres from the Parramatta CBD. The Lake Circuit runs 4.2 km around the water, and dogs are welcome on lead with one condition the council states plainly: they must stay on the established tracks. This is genuine bush with rock steps, sandstone outcrops and creek crossings, not an urban park lap.

Leash status

City of Parramatta manages the reserve, which is proclaimed a Wildlife Refuge and a protection area under the Companion Animals Act 1998, so the rules are strict: dogs on lead at all times, established tracks only, and no dogs in the designated swimming area at the visitor hub. Cats are banned entirely and bicycles are not allowed on the walking tracks. The rule that surprises people is the fox baiting: council has run periodic 1080 fox baiting programmes in the reserve, usually around October and November, and dogs are excluded while baits are down because a 1080 bait is lethal to dogs. Warning signs go up at the entrances, so read them at the gate every visit rather than assuming the program has lapsed.

The walk

Council grades the Lake Circuit at grade 3 and allows two hours, which sounds generous until you meet the rock steps. The loop 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 Dam Wall Lookout route via the Heritage Path is grade 1 and only 300 m one way on a surfaced path, while the Arrunga Bardo Walk is 900 m of grade 2 to a lookout over the still water.

Water and toilets sit 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 run hot in summer. The Hunts Creek crossings deserve respect: council warns the Upper and Lower crossings can be impassable during and after rain and asks walkers to avoid the circuit entirely when water is flowing over the stepping stones.

Getting there and parking

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

Max: Bush, boulders and a view of the city through the trees, all on one loop. When the baiting signs are up we go elsewhere, no arguments.

Close by with the dogs

Dan Mahoney Reserve Fenced Dog Park is the nearby off-lead option with agility gear and water stations, and The Container handles coffee afterwards. Our guide to dog friendly trails in NSW has more, and other dog-friendly spots around North Parramatta are in the destinations guide.

When to go

Early morning is the pick most of the year: cooler on the exposed rock sections, quieter on the narrow track, and it leaves margin before the gates close. After heavy rain, give the circuit a miss and do the Heritage Path instead.