Explore Parramatta on two wheels
Parramatta has a range of cycling tracks to suit everyone and offers up a great way to explore nature and history around the LGA.
Top cycling tracks in Parramatta
Within the Parramatta area, there are many great places to enjoy time on a bike. The top three most popular would undoubtedly be the Parramatta Valley Cycleway, Parramatta Park, and Sydney Olympic Park.
Ride the Parramatta Valley Cycleway
The Parramatta Valley Cycleway is a 15 kilometre long path shared by cyclists and pedestrians that follows the Parramatta River.
Cyclists can ride the relatively flat route from Morrison Bay Park in Ryde through the Ermington Nature Reserve and along the River foreshore to the Parramatta CBD.
The Cycleway follows the River providing some pleasant outlooks, heritage buildings, and nature reserves.
From Morrison Bay Park in Ryde, the path heads west along a combination of dedicated bike paths, quiet streets, and the river foreshore.
Riders can continue to Parramatta CBD or Parramatta Park or explore the connection to Sydney Olympic Park via the Silverwater Bridge.
The cycle route is constantly being improved. Recently opened is the Escarpment Boardwalk, a river-level pedestrian and cyclist connection that delivers a missing link in the Parramatta Valley Cycleway. Riders can now stay on the northern banks of the river near the Parramatta CBD.
Parramatta Park with great riding and heritage
The Parramatta Valley Cycleway leads to the very popular cycling destination of Parramatta Park which is full of heritage items and natural highlights.
The 3.2 km loop cycle lane and shared paths are suitable for cyclists of all levels. The loop follows the road around the park with a dedicated cycling lane between the pedestrian and vehicle lane.
The road is undulating which makes it a great place for road bike riders to pace it out, but also great for more leisurely riders who want to take in the sites.
The Park has a rich history and the humble bicycle is a great way to explore it. First gazetted as a ‘People’s Park’ in 1858, it has a rich Aboriginal history playing a vital role in the lives of the Darug people, the traditional custodians.
Parramatta (known as Burramatta) is one of the earliest sites of ancient Aboriginal occupation in Sydney, dating back 39,000 years.
Historic sites to take in on a leisurely bike ride include Old Government House and the Dairy Cottage, as well as the Boer War Memorial, The Crescent, and the Parramatta River.
For less-experienced riders and kids, there’s a 600 metre path on Long Avenue that is separated from the internal road and only accessible by authorised vehicles.
Sydney Olympic Park – the home of the Olympic Games
One of the many legacies of the Sydney Olympic Games 20 years ago is the 35 kilometres of cycleways for bike riding within Sydney Olympic Park which are ideal for cyclists of all skill levels.
The Park Authority has mapped out several circuits that are suitable for different levels of rider. Most are close to other facilities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, drinking stations and toilets.
The circuits take in Olympic Games venues, bird habitat, heritage areas like Newington Armory, lakes, and great views.
Sydney Olympic Park has plenty of cafes and restaurants to make a quick stop for a coffee or even a meal.
The roads within Sydney Olympic Park also have many on-road cycle lanes for those who prefer to ride on the road, with a number of well-used, relatively flat circuits.
Other places to ride
As well as the top three there are a range of other bike paths and on-road cycle lanes, plus plenty of quiet streets.
T-Way Cycleway
An almost completely off-road cycleway that travels alongside the T-way bus route and Old Windsor Road, this bike path heads northwest through Constitution Hill, Old Toongabbie, Seven Hill and Norwest all the way to Windsor. For riders keen for a longer and peaceful day out, this might be the path for you.
Cycling map
The City of Parramatta Council has produced a cycling map that you can collect from the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre or local bike shops. You can also download a copy here.
Parramatta Heritage Rides
On the map, you’ll find the Parramatta Heritage ride which is a great way to learn about Parramatta’s amazing history. And if you don’t want to navigate your own way you can join a group ride with Parramatta Heritage Rides, a group that runs regular bike tours. The Parramatta Heritage Ride offers a great opportunity to explore stories of years past by bicycle.
One of the most popular routes starts at the Macquarie Street Gatehouse, passes by the Dairy Precinct, Jail and Old Government House before finishing back at Centenary Square and Town Hall.
Who else can help?
There are several bikes shops in the Parramatta area including several in the CBD. They sell and service bikes and can also provide advice about great places to ride in the area.
Based in the Parramatta CBD is an organisation called Addventageous that provides affordable and accessible cycling programs and services to lots of different types of riders. Founder Charlene Bordley and her team run regular rides, teach people to ride, and even has a bike repair workshop onsite.
For the more serious road cyclists, several cycling clubs operate in the area including Parramatta Cycling Club and Lidcombe-Auburn Cycle Club.
Check out Women Who Cycle, a blog dedicated to getting more women into cycling.
