Aboriginal History

The area of Parramatta was known by the Darug people as Burramatta ("Burra" meaning eel and "matta" meaning creek). The people who lived in the area called themselves the Burramattagal.

The Darug people organised themselves into family groups or clans which consisted of between five to 60 people. Each clan group had their own well defined territory and and their own traditional rights and responsibilities over the land.

The Burramatta clan encompassed present day Parramatta. Their eastern boundary was probably Duck River, Homebush Bay or some point between the two. The core of their territory appears to have been the tidal estuary between the Crescent in the Park and Duck River.

Although the colonial settlement at Parramatta was originally called Rose Hill on 4 June 1791 Phillip officially declared the name of the settlement as Parramatta.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation exists within the Park along the ridgeline of the Crescent and around Domain Creek. Several scarred trees and artefact scatters have been located.

Liaison is undertaken with relevant local Aboriginal people and groups to ensure their input into management of the Park and specific Park projects.