Natural Attractions

Try and spot the most conspicuous (and threatened) species in Parramatta Park – the Grey-headed Flying-fox.

The Grey-headed Flying-fox is one of the world’s largest bats, and its breeding camp located on the banks of Parramatta River in the northern section of Parramatta Park. It is the only threatened animal species recorded within Parramatta Park, and was noted as far back as 1798.

The Flying-fox is considered a ‘keystone species’ vital for the long-term health of plants, particularly gum trees, that depend on these bats for long-distance pollination and seed dispersal. The camp is protected by a thick, mature bushland canopy on the banks of the river, giving the animals easy access to water and a clear path to fly in and out when foraging for food at night.

Flying-fox numbers in Parramatta Park can fluctuate between seasons as they migrate between camps. The number of bats in the park is typically around 10,000 but this figure can alter by up to30%.