Discover Parramatta's Best Water Adventures
Follow the water from riverside wetlands and floating forests to family splash zones and swimming spots.
Water is woven into Parramatta's story. It shapes the city's landscapes, brings people together and creates plenty of opportunities to explore, play and unwind outdoors.
Whether you're looking for a family day by the water, a quiet bushwalk, a place to cool off on a warm day or a chance to spot wildlife along the river, these local experiences offer a different way to discover the region.
Wander Through the Badu Mangroves
Location: Sydney Olympic Park
Tucked within Sydney Olympic Park, the Badu Mangrove Boardwalk offers a chance to slow down and see a different side of the Parramatta River.
The elevated boardwalk winds through one of the largest remaining mangrove forests along the river, passing through wetlands that provide important habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife. Keep an eye out for waterbirds among the reeds as you make your way through this peaceful pocket of nature.
Cool off at Parramatta's water playgrounds
Location: Across Parramatta
When temperatures rise, Parramatta's water playgrounds become some of the city's most popular destinations for families.
At James Ruse Reserve, children can dart through ground-level water jets and cool off beneath mushroom fountains, while nearby picnic and BBQ facilities make it easy to spend the afternoon outdoors.
Philip Ruddock Water Playground has long been a favourite for its misting tunnels, tipping buckets and interactive creek pump, encouraging hands-on play and exploration.
For inclusive water fun, Ollie Webb Reserve combines accessible play equipment with a popular splash area, creating a space where children of all abilities can play together.
Discover the local water playgrounds
Relax by the Lake
Location: Lake Parramatta, North Parramatta
Just minutes from the city centre, Lake Parramatta feels a world away from the bustle of urban life.
The popular swimming area is surrounded by bushland, walking tracks and picnic spots, making it one of the region's favourite destinations for warm weather. Visitors can take a paddle on the water, explore nearby bushwalking trails or simply settle in beneath the trees for a relaxed afternoon outdoors.
Whether you're swimming, kayaking or enjoying the view, the lake offers a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Explore Lake Parramatta Reserve
Discover Balaka Falls
Location: Hunts Creek Reserve, Carlingford
Hidden within Hunts Creek Reserve, Balaka Falls is one of the area's lesser-known natural attractions.
Follow bush tracks through native vegetation and you'll arrive at a picturesque waterfall surrounded by sandstone, ferns and creek-side greenery. The falls are at their most impressive after periods of rain, when water tumbles over the rocky escarpment into the creek below.
For those seeking a quieter outdoor experience, it's a rewarding place to pause and take in the sounds of flowing water.
Follow the Parramatta River
From the foreshore paths around Parramatta CBD to longer riverside walks through Sydney Olympic Park, the Parramatta River provides a natural thread connecting many of the region's best outdoor experiences.
Walking beside the water offers changing views of the city skyline, wetlands, public art and parklands, with plenty of places to stop for coffee, a picnic or simply watch the river drift by.
Discover the Shipwrecks of Homebush Bay
Location: Shipwreck Viewing Platform, Parklands Circuit off Bennelong Parkway
One of the most unexpected sights along the Parramatta River is the collection of historic shipwrecks resting in Homebush Bay.
The most photographed is the SS Ayrfield, a former steam collier that has become known as the "floating forest". Decades after being decommissioned, mangroves have grown from its rusting hull, creating a striking contrast between industry and nature.
Viewed from the shoreline near Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park, the shipwrecks offer a glimpse into the area's maritime past while highlighting the regeneration of the river's waterways and wetlands. Bring a camera, take a walk along the foreshore and keep an eye out for birdlife that now calls the bay home.
Discover more about the Shipwrecks
