Parramatta is an ancient place. While British settlement spans right back to 1788, the Burramattagal clan of the Darug Aboriginal people have been living in the area for 60,000 years. Look carefully enough and you’ll find evidence of where they met and traded for thousands of years.
When I arrived in Sydney, my first teaching position was in Parramatta where I became familiar with its importance in the early days of British settlement. With the kids, we visited Elizabeth Farm, Lancer Barracks, the cemeteries and many of the older building sites across the city. Suprisingly, information about the Darug people was not as obvious (but certainly not hidden). Our curiosity became overwhelming and we started exploring more.
“Several hours (may be) occupied in contemplating the natural beauties of the variegated scene, surrounded by the stately forest which protects it from the scorching summer sun, in the centre of it’s valley, encompassed by stupendous rocks, a murmuring stream, delectable to the taste, meanders to the untaught notes of nature’s feathered care, that charm the ear with wild irregularity. Here caverns open to the untouched tribe, whose far recess forbids the approach of rude and chilling winds” (attributed to James Jervis, 1938).
Not many people are aware that Parramatta boasts a lake – Lake Parramatta (original name, I know!). It is a very significant place for the local Burramatta people and also those who have grown up in the area. It was created in 1856 when Hunts Creek was dammed to provide clean water. It is one of the most interesting sites in Parramatta to view Aboriginal history.
On a spare weekend, Miss N and I went exploring. We heard that if we looked carefully enough we would be able to find stone flamings, hand stencilled paintings, scar trees, shell deposits and cave shelters attributed to the Burramatta people around Lake Parramatta. We discovered the amazing Arrunga Bardo Aboriginal Bush Food Garden (the name means, calm water). It boasts an amazing array of bush tucker, medicinal plants and weaving or hunting plants. They are labelled and easy to identify. AMAZING!
Finding the rock paintings and shelter proved a little more difficult, especially as we had decided to take our puppy along for the trip. What we did find was an amazing oasis just kilometres from the centre of Parramatta. We could even swim there with the swimming hole reopened for use in the summer season. At one time it boasted Australia’s largest inland freshwater lifesaving club.
Our first visit was rather quick. We plan to go back and explore more so we can locate the rock paintings! You too can visit any day between 6.30 am – 5.30 pm. To access the site enter from Lackey Street via Bourke Street, North Parramatta.