Best walking trails in Parramatta
Parramatta Park is the best place for a walk in Parramatta, because two marked loops wind through it, one of them paved from start to finish. Beyond it, the choice comes down to which riverbank you want, a short circuit for laps, and toilets and parking at the start.
Quick picks
- Paved loop: Parramatta Park's People's Loop Trail runs 3.1 km and suits prams.
- Laps plus exercises: Ollie Webb Reserve mixes a circuit path with a leg press and cross trainer.
- Both riverbanks: River Foreshore Reserve has trails north and south of the water.
- Heritage walk: Queens Wharf Park marks the start of the Harris Park Heritage Trail.
Parramatta Park for two named loops
- 3.1 km
- Loop
- Paved
- Toilets
- Parking
Parramatta Park gives you two named walking loops, each about 3 km. The People's Loop Trail is paved for all 3.1 km, so prams and every fitness level manage it. For a gentler walk with more to stop for, the 3 km Heritage & Riverside Loop takes in the river, historic landmarks and gardens. Shared paths head off along the Parramatta River when you want to keep going. Look out for grey-headed flying foxes: the park is home to more than 140 wildlife species, best seen early. Toilets are spread around the grounds, and dogs can come on a lead. On weekends, come early to beat the crowds and the parking squeeze.
Best for: Walkers who like a set distance, prams included.
Ollie Webb Reserve for wheelchair-friendly laps
- Loop
- Toilets
- Parking
Ollie Webb Reserve suits walkers who count laps, because its circuit path returns you to the start and its wide pathways suit wheelchairs and strollers. Between rounds you can break off for a set on the air walker or leg press, then pick the lap up again. Accessible toilets, an adult change facility with a hoist and drinking fountains make a long session easy for anyone with extra needs. The on-site car park has accessible bays and a drop-off zone. Dogs need a lead.
Best for: Wheelchair users, strollers and anyone mixing laps with exercises.
River Foreshore Reserve for both banks of the river
- Toilets
- Parking
River Foreshore Reserve lets you walk the Parramatta River from either side, since its trails and bike paths follow both the northern and southern banks. Drive to the Elizabeth Street side and you'll find accessible parking spaces plus accessible restrooms at the trailhead. The trails suit a range of fitness levels, though only some sections take a wheelchair. Expect cyclists, keep dogs on a lead, and come early or late in the day for the fewest people. Rangihou Reserve, 0.6 km away, has more shared paths on the northern bank.
Best for: A river walk that starts with a toilet stop.
Rangihou Reserve for the river's northern bank
- Toilets
- Parking
Rangihou Reserve keeps you on the Parramatta River's northern bank, where interconnected shared paths for walkers and cyclists run among landscaping, native tree planting and bush regeneration. Unlike Queens Wharf Park, 0.2 km away, it has toilets. About 12 parking spaces sit beside the reserve on Macarthur Street, although construction nearby, such as Gasworks Bridge maintenance, can take some out of use. The shared path is being upgraded to a wider foreshore promenade. Dogs stay on a lead.
Best for: A river walk from Macarthur Street with toilets on hand.
Queens Wharf Park to start a heritage trail
- Parking
Queens Wharf Park is the place to begin a walk through Parramatta's past, because the Harris Park Heritage Trail starts here and heads on to Hambledon Cottage and Elizabeth Farm. Before you leave the river, the smooth, wide paths pass signs telling the story of the river port set up in 1790. Ferries pull in at Parramatta Wharf next door, which has step-free ramps. The park has no toilets of its own, and shade by the water is limited, so pack a hat and a bottle. Leave early to walk the whole trail, and keep dogs on a lead.
Best for: History buffs and anyone arriving by ferry.
Jubilee Park for a run and an outdoor workout
- Toilets
- Parking
Jubilee Park on Marion Street is the pick for a jog with a workout attached, as walking paths and exercise tracks run through its grounds beside a free outdoor gym for leg raises, pull-ups, sit-ups and step-ups. At 0.75 ha it's the smallest pick, so Ollie Webb Reserve, 0.8 km away, is the place to extend a run. Summer sessions go best early or late, when it's cooler and quieter. For a toilet stop, use the accessible ones in the Harry Todd Band Hall. Nearby street and council parking is paid, but on a Sunday the station car park on Wentworth Street gives you 4 hours free. Dogs need a lead.
Best for: Runners who want pull-ups and step-ups in one outing.
How the walks compare
By area
Every walking track in and near Parramatta
Every Parramatta walk is in the table below, showing which ones loop, which are paved and which have toilets and parking, with the nearest tracks outside the suburb at the end.
| Park | Length | Loop | Paved | Toilets | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Parramatta Park | 3.1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2.Ollie Webb Reserve | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3.River Foreshore Reserve | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.Rangihou Reserve | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5.Queens Wharf Park | – | – | – | ✗ | ✓ |
| 6.Jubilee Park | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| 7.Old Kings Parade Ground | – | – | – | – | – |
| 8.River Terrace | – | – | – | – | – |
| 9.Nature Area | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nearby, outside Parramatta | |||||
| Doyle Ground · North Parramatta | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Old Saleyards Reserve · North Parramatta | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
How we picked
Each park was scored on the things that change a walk: how long the track is, whether you finish where you began, what's underfoot, shade, toilets, parking and the park's size. A loop, a paved surface, toilets, parking and more than a hectare of ground each added points. Anything we couldn't confirm appears as a dash in the table and never lowered a park's score.
FAQ
Is there a loop walk in Parramatta?
Yes, Parramatta Park has two, and its People's Loop Trail is paved for the full 3.1 km. Ollie Webb Reserve also has a circuit path that works well for laps.
Can dogs come on Parramatta's walking tracks?
Yes, on a lead, at every Parramatta park listed here except Nature Area. That one is a wildlife protection area, so dogs aren't allowed in at all.
Is there a lit path for an evening walk in Parramatta?
Yes, Old Kings Parade Ground's shared pathway has twenty LED light poles, put in during March 2023 to make walking and cycling safer after dark. The path links the Parramatta CBD with CommBank Stadium.