The Parramatta River Trail is an urban route, popular with both cyclists and walkers, that follows a shared path along the Parramatta River.
The section of track between Parramatta and Meadowbank has train stations and ferry wharves at either end, making the walk easily accessible by public transport. This is also a walk your leashed dog can join you on.
Along this largely shaded trail you’ll enjoy river views, art, parks, and wetlands.
| Distance: | ~10km |
| Start: | Parramatta |
| End: | Meadowbank |
| Public Transport: | Train and ferry at Parramatta Train and ferry at Meadowbank |
| Water: | Eric Primrose Reserve George Kendall Riverside Park Memorial Park, Meadowbank |
| Toilets: | Parramatta Train Station Eric Primrose Reserve Halvorsen Park George Kendall Riverside Park Memorial Park, Meadowbank Near Meadowbank Wharf |
| Top Tip: | Pack lunch or pick something up in Parramatta at the start of your walk. There’s so many shaded spots by the river where you can stop and enjoy the view during your walk. |
Parramatta River Trail Overview
The Parramatta River Trail between Parramatta and Meadowbank is a scenic walk that follows the Parramatta River.
Because this is an urban walk, there are many opportunities to leave (or join) the track along the way, making this walk easy to extend or shorten. The walk crosses through many riverside parks with bench seating, shaded lawns, and playgrounds.
If you arrive at this walk via train, take the exit from Parramatta Station into Parramatta Square, and then follow it to Church St. Once on Church St you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes if you’d like to pick up food and drink to enjoy on your walk.
Continue on Church St until you reach the Parramatta River where you’ll cross the river on the Lennox Bridge. At the other side of the bridge you’ll find steps that take you down to the river foreshore.
From here, the Parramatta River Trail largely hugs the river foreshore. There’s a short section set back from the river to skirt around an industrial state at Rydalmere, however the path is signposted and remains straightforward to navigate.
Continuing on, the Parramatta River Trail passes through Reid Park, past Rydalmere ferry wharf, through Eric Primrose Reserve, and George Kendall Riverside Park before reaching Ermington Bay.
At Ermington Bay you’ll follow the Ermington Bay Nature Pathway, a government funded initiative that opened in 2011. The raised boardwalk helps protect the coastal saltmarsh and mangroves found alongside this section of the Parramatta River.
Leaving Ermington Bay, you’ll have a short section of road walking along Lancaster Avenue before heading back onto the river foreshore at Meadowbank Park.
This is the final stretch of the walk. Passing under the Parramatta River railway bridge you’ll soon spot Meadowbank ferry wharf. If you’re continuing onward to Meadowbank train station, your finish is a 10 minute walk away via Bay Drive.
Parramatta River Trail Map
How to get to the Parramatta River Trail
The Parramatta River Trail is a Sydney walk that is easy to access by public transport with train stations and ferry wharves at either end. If you’re starting at Parramatta, take the train or ferry to Parramatta, and from the Meadowbank end, you can take the ferry from Meadowbank Wharf, or a 10 minute walk away you’ll find Meadowbank train station.
You can use the Trip Planner website to plan your transport to Parramatta and from Meadowbank.
Because this is a point-to-point walk between Parramatta and Meadowbank, if you choose to drive, you’ll have to make your way back to your car. You can find out about car parks in Parramatta on the Parramatta Council website.
Facilities
There are plenty of amenities close to the Parramatta to Meadowbank walk on the Parramatta River Trail. One of the benefits of urban walks like this one is that you’re never too far from whatever it is that you need.
Cafes & shops
You’ll find cafes and shops in Parramatta CBD, around the train station, near the ferry wharf, and along Church Street. During the walk, you’ll pass Salt and Butter Cafe alongside Halvorsen Park at Ermington, and Fork & Spoon at Meadowbank not far from the wharf.
Drinking water
On the walk from Parramatta to Meadowbank you’ll be able to refill your water bottle at several of the river foreshore parks along the way, including:
- Eric Primrose Reserve
- George Kendall Riverside Park
- Memorial Park, Meadowbank
Toilets
You’ll find public toilets located in several locations along the Parramatta to Meadowbank river walk, including:
- Parramatta Train Station
- Eric Primrose Reserve
- Halvorsen Park
- George Kendall Riverside Park
- Memorial Park, Meadowbank
- Near Meadowbank Wharf
Parramatta River Trail Highlights
Along the Parramatta River Trail between Parramatta and Meadowbank you’ll pass a number of highlights including foreshore parks, public artworks, bridges, the Baludarri Wetland Boardwalk, the coastal saltmarsh and mangroves at Ermington Bay, and of course, the Parramatta River itself.
Art by Jamie Eastwood
As you begin your walk along the Parramatta River Trail toward Meadowbank, you’ll notice art on the paved path. This art is designed by Jamie Eastwood. Signs alongside this section of the foreshore track explain the art’s depiction of Parramatta’s history.
Baludarri Wetland Boardwalk
The Baludarri Wetland Boardwalk opened in 2015 and was upgraded in 2026. It is a shared pedestrian and cycle way on a raised boardwalk over wetlands. The wetlands are named after a young Burramatagal man who you can learn about here.
Ermington Bay Wetlands
At Ermington Bay you’ll find another wetland area. This sensitive environment of coastal saltmarsh and mangroves is traversed via a raised boardwalk. Signage at the site says that 75 species of birds have been recorded at Ermington Bay.
Parramatta River
The Parramatta River is the main tributary to Sydney Harbour. It starts at Parramatta where it connects with Toongabbie Creek and Darling Mills Creek.
On the walk between Parramatta and Meadowbank, you’ll follow the river as it passes through Parramatta, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, and finally, Meadowbank. The Burramatta people of the Darug Nation are the traditional custodians of the area.
