There are not many waterfalls in the Parramatta area, but Balaka Falls (or Pages Creek Falls) is the most photogenic in the area. Especially after rain – if it’s been dry for a while, you may only get a thin stream of water. The tiered waterfall drops into a shallow pool, with viewing points above and below the waterfall. Although the water may be just deep enough for kids to wade in, the water quality is not great and swimming is not recommended.
Balaka Falls is located within Hunts Creek Reserve, a small stretch of bushland and wildlife sanctuary surrounded by the suburbs of North Rocks and Carlingford. Hunts Creek, which flows through the reserve originates in the underground stormwater drainage system, emerging on the corner of Parkland and Jenkins Road (Carlingford) and flowing into Lake Parramatta to the west. Before more intensive development of the surrounding area, between 1856 and 1909 Hunts Creek supplied water for the Parramatta district and it was described by early European settlers as “the cleanest water in the area”.
Getting to Balaka Falls
The quickest and easist way to see the Balaka Falls is from Ferndale Avenue in Carlingford, where a good walking path takes you to the top of the falls (300m return). It’s also a short walk from the end of Norfolk Avenue and Balaka Drive (near the junction with Lesley Avenue).
There are 2.5km of maintained tracks within the Hunts Creek Reserve, so you can combine the waterfall with some family-friendly (and dog-friendly) bushwalks. A longer 3.5km loop bushwalk from Parkland Road (near the start of Hunts Creek) or Sun Valley Place follows the creek through the reserve, past the waterfall and back along the opposite side of the creek.
More information
- Baulkham Hills Shire – Bushland of Hunts Creek Reserve and Seville Reserve
For more dog-friendly bushwalks around Sydney, have a look at Bushwalking with Dogs in Sydney’s North.
0 Comments