Where is Parramatta River?
The Parramatta River snakes through the suburbs of Sydney, through Parramatta, to Sydney Harbour. There are many different types of land features around the River and bridges that help people to cross from one side to the other.
The Parramatta River is a large river that flows through Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It starts in the western suburbs of Sydney, near Constitution Hill and flows all the way to Sydney Harbour in the east. That’s where it meets the ocean.
[Image: View of Sydney Harbour from behind Lune Park, showing Luna Park, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House]
The river is shaped like a long, winding snake. It curves, bends, and twists as it follows the shape of the land and always flows downhill.
[Image: Topographic map showing the Parramatta River and surrounding land]
Smaller rivers called tributaries join the Parramatta River along the way. These are little rivers that feed into the large river. After it rains, water from streets, gardens, and parks runs into these tributaries, and then into the Parramatta River.
The river is important for transport. People travel by boats and ferries along the river and people have built bridges to cross it.
[Image: Gasworks Bridge crossing Parramatta River. John Spencer/DCCEEW 144271]
Many people love the river because it’s a place to relax, walk, watch birds, and be close to nature — even in the middle of the city!
[Image: Parramatta River showing natural and human-made features. Bedlam Bay, Parramatta River Regional Park. Greg Kirby/DCCEEW 196158]
Activities
Activity: To understand how bridges provide access to places
- Search online to find a map of the Parramatta River.
- Use chalk to draw a simplified outline of the shape of the Parramatta River in a large open area of the playground.
- Add key places along the river — Parramatta, Sydney Opera House, and a few suburbs.
- Use ropes or strings to mark bridges across the river.
- Play “The Floor is Water” — the students walk around the designated land areas on either side of the river until the teacher calls “The Floor is Water”, the children then have 5 seconds to get to a bridge.
- Students must cross from one side of the river to the other, using only the bridges. After each round, a bridge is taken away, until there are no bridges left – the children will have to go all the way around Parramatta if they want to cross to the other side of the river. Have the students add bridges in again, one by one.
[Image: Anzac Bridge over Iron Cove]
Activity: Identify major landmarks on the river
- Show images online or in books of major landmarks on Parramatta River (Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Parramatta).
- Children choose a landmark to draw, marking in the key features of the built and natural environment. Make sure to include the river and label all the features.
[Image: Aerial view of Sydney Harbour including Sydney Opera House in foreground, with Sydney Harbour Bridge in centre of photograph]
Resources and references
References:
Image 1: Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Image 118034 Kevin McGrath/DCCEEW
Image 2: View of Sydney Harbour with Luna Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/people-walking-on-bridge-during-daytime-7bhJM7HDYmE
Image 3: Topographic Map of Parramatta River and surrounding land. NSW Government. Source: https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/download/NSWTopographicMaps/DTDB_GeoReferenced_Raster_CollarOn_161070/2022/25k/9130-3N+PARRAMATTA+RIVER.pdf
Image 4: Gasworks Bridge, Parramatta River. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Image 144271 John Spencer/DCCEEW
Image 5: Bedlam Bay, Parramatta River Regional Park. Source: https://images.environment.nsw.gov.au/ Image 196158 Greg Kirby/DCCEEW
Image 6: Anzac Bridge over Iron Cove. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-large-bridge-spanning-over-a-large-body-of-water-yA9Vvw0ubLI
Image 7: Aerial view of Sydney Harbour. Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/sydney-opera-house-near-body-of-water-during-daytime-JmuyB_LibRo