Lake Parramatta

Australia, Australia

---

Lake Parramatta is a heritage‑listed, man‑made reservoir in North Parramatta, about two kilometres from the city centre, set within a 70‑plus‑hectare bushland reserve that forms a popular recreation area in western Sydney.

It was created in 1856 by damming the Parramatta River to supply clean drinking water to the growing town and later became a key swimming and picnic spot, with an inland lifesaving club that once was among Australia’s largest.

Today the lake is open for supervised swimming in the warmer months, and visitors can also kayak, paddleboard, or row boats, stroll along circuit walking tracks, picnic near barbecues and playgrounds, and learn about Aboriginal heritage sites such as rock shelters, hand stencils, and a bushfoods garden linked to the traditional Burramattagal people.