The Lake Circuit - Lake Parramatta

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Route: Visitor Hub, Heritage Path, Dam Wall Lookout, Reservoir Track, Lower Hunts Creek Crossing, Reservoir Lookout, Upper Lake Track, Upper Hunts Creek Crossing, Arrunga Bardo Lookout, Arrunga Bardo Walk

Date: 08/02/2025
From: 

Parking: Illawong Drive
Start Point: Lake Parramatta Visitor Hub
Finish Point: Lake Parramatta Visitor Hub
Region: Sydney

Route length: 4.0 km
Time taken: 01:20
Average speed: 3.3 km/h
Ascent: 90m
Descent: 81m

Points of Interest: Lake Parramatta

Completed in 1856, the Lake Parramatta reservoir was the first large dam built in Australia, forming a crucial part of Parramatta’s water supply until 1909. After the city was connected to Sydney’s water system (following the construction of the Cataract Dam), the need to supply water from Lake Parramatta waned.

The enduring legacy of the dam was the creation of a water reserve protecting its catchment. This was later expanded to cover the natural area now protected in Lake Parramatta Reserve.

The reserve is best explored on foot. There are four walking tracks that, once combined, create the 4.2 km Lake Circuit. These are the Heritage Path, Reservoir Track, Upper Lake Track and Arrunga Bardo Walk. The tracks aim to cater for most abilities and are also dog friendly.

The Heritage Path starts at the café next to the main car park. It is a short 300m hike along a paved path to the Dam Wall Lookout along the lake’s southern shoreline, passing the swimming and boat hire areas. The lookout has views of the dam wall and the lake. The Heritage Path is suitable for assisted wheelchairs.

On the Heritage Path

Lookout along the Heritage Path

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta

From the Dam Wall Lookout, the trail continues behind the Lake Parramatta Dam wall, crossing Hunts Creek via stepping stones. From the other side of the creek, the views of the dam are impressive, with the lake and the visitor hub in the background.

Dam Wall Lookout

Starting the Reservoir Track

The 600m long Reservoir Track starts from the dam and leads to the Reservoir Lookout, a great viewing point with some of the best views of the lake. It crosses Hunts Creek below the dam before climbing the opposite side of the valley.

Crossing Hunts Creek below the dam

Lake Parramatta Dam

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta from Reservoir Lookout

From the Reservoir Lookout, the Lake Parramatta Walk continues as the 2.1 km long Upper Lake Track. As the name suggests, this walking track explores the northern (or upper) part of the reservoir. This section is the authentic bushland part of the circuit walk but is still relatively easy to do.

Heading along the Upper Lake Track

One happy hound

Lake Parramatta

Upper Lake Track

Upper Lake Track

At the northernmost part of the lake, the trail crosses Hunts Creek once again, to turn back south via the eastern side of Lake Parramatta.

Hunts Creek

Hunts Creek

Hunts Creek

Upper Hunts Creek Crossing

From the Arrunga Bardo Lookout, the circuit walk continues as the Arrunga Bardo (“Calm Waters”) Walk, which is the last section before arriving back at the visitor hub.

The are plenty of sign posts along the trails

Upper Lake Track management trail

Lake Parramatta

Lake Parramatta

Arrunga Bardo Lookout

Lake Parramatta

Beyond the dam, a paved path will take you back to where you began. There is a small café here, a toilet block and plenty of picnic spots, seating, and BBQ facilities. There is also a designated swimming area, marked out by buoys. Patrolled from late October to the end of March, it can get very busy in the summer.