Waterways and Lakes

Liverpool's waterways and lakes are perfect for all sorts of activities, from waterskiing to walking or cycling around the river.

Liverpool City is home to two of the Sydney regions most significant rivers: the Georges River and the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.  Both rivers offer numerous locations to take in the relaxing vistas.

The 120 acres  is made up of Chipping Norton Lake and the smaller Lake Moore. Located along the Georges River at Homestead Drive, Chipping Norton Lakes is home to a number of picnic, play and barbecue areas and also includes Floyd Bay and Tharaway Bay.

There are a number of pathways around the lake for bike riding, roller blading, running, walking or to just simply watch the beautiful bird and aquatic life.

History

There are two traditional custodians of the Chipping Norton Lakes area, the Tharawal people, which inhabited the southern side of the Georges River and the Darug people to the north and west of the river.

European settlers, such as Thomas Moore, were granted waterfront land that is now part of the park. The homestead within the park was built in the 1880s. As farming activities declined, the rich topsoil and underlying sand was mined.

After 20 years of mining, the riverbanks were packed with dangerous pits and eroded banks. In 1977 the Chipping Norton Lakes Authority was set up to rehabilitate the area into parkland.

Today, Liverpool City Council, Bankstown Council and Fairfield City Council work together to manage the wildlife refuge and recreation areas of Chipping Norton Lakes.

Recreation

Providing cycleways, BBQ facilities, picnic areas, playground equipment, boat ramps, sporting fields and the Georges River Environmental Education Centre, the lakes are an important recreational area for Liverpool.

The Chipping Norton Lakes also has a number of walkways. A highlight is the Lake Moore Walk starting at Chauvel Park and following the lake's scenic foreshore to Haigh Park. The 45 minute return trip is approximately 3.2 km and is mainly flat and paved.

Watercraft are permitted on Chipping Norton Lake and Lake Moore, however, a strict speed limit of eight knots applies.

The Lakes Boatshed

Chipping Norton Recreation Centre (The Lakes Boatshed) features a community building that can be hired by residents or groups.

The Lakes Boatshed (Chipping Norton Recreation Centre) can accommodate up to 100 people and offers an upstairs balcony with magnificent views across the lakes and surrounding parkland.

Natural Environment

With over 50 different species of birds recorded in the park, birdwatching is a popular activity. Visitors may see purple swamphens, pelicans, maned ducks, egrets, sacred ibis, pardalote and pacific black ducks.

Sedgelands, reeds, mangroves and alluvial (floodplain) forest also surround the lakes. Common native trees found in this area include the swamp oak (Casuarina glauca), blue box (Eucalyptus baueriana), forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornus), bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides), grey box and rough barked apple (Angophora floribunda). Wattles and paperbarks can also be found along the foreshores.

Liverpool City Council's Biodiversity Strategy maps feature Alluvial Woodland vegetation along the lake side, a form of the Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest, which is considered to be an endangered ecological community.

The plant communities around the lakes provide habitat and food for animals, insects and birds as well as shade for visitors.

The islands on the lakes have been developed as wildlife refuges and from-time-to time groups undertake weed removal and revegetation projects on the islands. Visitors are not permitted  on the islands.

You can help protect Chipping Norton Lakes by:

  • Keeping away from exposed banks to stop soil erosion
  • Staying on paths provided
  • Protecting all native plants and animals
  • Not dumping grass or weed clippings in the park
  • Keeping dogs on a lead and out of the water
  • Staying off the islands, which provide an important refuge for native birds and wildlife
  • Disposing of your rubbish carefully in the bins provided or take it with you to recycle
  • Placing your dog's droppings in the bin
  • Putting your cigarette butts in the bin
  • Taking care not to spill oil and petrol from your boat in the water.

Water quality

The water quality at Chipping Norton Lakes varies.  Liverpool City Council recommends that you don't swim or fish in the lakes. Please remember that everything that you put down the drain ends up in our waterways.

Getting to Chipping Norton Lakes

By train or bus

Trip planner

The Georges River winds its way through Liverpool City providing residents and visitors with a myriad of tranquil locations to enjoy. It opens into Moore Lake and the Chipping Norton Lakes, which provide magnificent waterways with islands, bird reserves, parks and cycleways along the shores.

Water sports include sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and fishing or you can  have a picnic in one of the parks around the lakes.

There are a number of sporting grounds, tennis and golf courses throughout the area.

Council is currently looking at ways to increase the river's recreational potential and make Liverpool a true river city. This includes establishing pedestrian, cycleway and vehicle access linking Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre to Liverpool City Centre via improved foreshore areas and a vegetation management plan to help facilitate the restoration of the riparian zone of the corridor. There will also be jetties for canoeing and picnic areas for families to relax while enjoying the sights.