Features of the Parramatta River
There are many elements that make up the Parramatta River. There are many natural features, and built features surrounding it, as it is in the middle of the city.
Parramatta River is full of interesting features. A feature is something we can see and describe. Some features are natural, like trees and rocks. Others are human-made, which means people built them.
Natural features of Parramatta River:
Water: The river itself is made of fresh and salty water. In some parts it is narrow and shallow. In others places the river is deep and wide.
Hills and valleys: The river flows through low land. That’s why many creeks and drains run into it — water always flows down.
Riverbanks: These are the sides of the river. They are often sloped and covered with grass or rocks. Both images below show the riverbanks of the Parramatta River.
[Image: Grassy riverbanks in Parramatta. 144364 John Spencer/DCCEEW]
[Image: Rocky riverbanks in Iron Cove. 108384 Daniel Wiecek/DCCEEW]
Plants: You can see lots of plants growing along the river, including trees and mangroves.
[Image: Seawall with mangroves growing directly in front of the Parramatta River estuary. 108392 Daniel Wiecek/DCCEEW]
Animals: The river is home to many birds, fish, and oysters. Grey-headed flying foxes living in Parramatta Park rely on the river for water.
[Image: Flying foxes in casuarina tree, Parramatta Park. Greater Sydney Parklands]
Human-made features of Parramatta River:
Ferry Wharves: These are platforms where ferries pick up and drop off people. (Image of Birkenhead Wharf)
Bridges: Bridges let people cross the river. People can walk, cycle, drive, or take a bus or train across!
[Image: Bridge over Parramatta River. 144343 John Spencer/DCCEEW]
Parks and paths: People have built footpaths, picnic areas, and playgrounds near the river.
[Image: People looking over Parramatta River in Parramatta Park from a path on a bridge. Greater Sydney Parklands]
Buildings: Homes, schools, and offices are sometimes close to the river.
Roads: Some roads run alongside or cross the river on bridges.
These features help people enjoy and use the river. But sometimes, too human-made things can also change the natural environment. For example, if a road is too close to the river, it might wash pollution into the water.
That’s why it’s important to think about how we use the space around rivers. We want to enjoy it — but also protect it!
Activities
Activity: To identify and classify environmental features.
- Go on a walk around the school or nearby park.
- Students look for natural features (trees, grass, birds) and human-made features (paths, drains, fences).
- Make a tally or draw what they find.
Discuss as a class:
- Which types of features did you see?
- What features might also be found along the Parramatta River?
Activity: To create an imaginary river with natural and human-made features
This activity should be done in an outdoor area where students can find lots of natural materials, such as fallen leaves, sticks, bark, and rocks.
- Form small groups and find an area to create an imaginary river.
- Use natural items from the ground to create the river. For example, use sticks to draw the outline of the river and then use found objects such as bark, rocks and leaves to add natural and human-made features to the river.Feature could include: river banks, trees, hills, animals, bridges, paths, roads.
- Show the river to the teacher or the rest of the class and explain each feature and what role it plays as a feature of the river. For example, a bridge to allow people to walk across the river.
Image 1: Parramatta Ferry crossing under Macarthur Street Bridge. Image source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parramatta_ferry_passing_under_Macarthur_Street_bridge.jpg
Image 2: Grassy banks of Parramatta River. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au 144364 John Spencer/DCCEEW
Image 3: Rocky banks of Parramatta River at Iron Cove. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au 108384 Daniel Wiecek/DCCEEW
Image 4: Mangroves, Parramatta River. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au 108392 Daniel Wiecek/DCCEEW
Image 5: Grey-headed flying foxes in Parramatta Park. Source: https://www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/explore/grey-headed-flying-fox-camp
Image 6: Bridge over Parramatta River. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au 144343 John Spencer/DCCEEW
Image 7: People on bridge pathway overlooking Parramatta River in Parramatta Park. Source: https://www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/visit/parramatta-park