Lily Pond and Lachlan Swamps

Lily Pond has an important difference to all the other ponds in Centennial Park. While the other ponds are fed by stormwater runoff, Lily Pond is fed by a natural, underground spring in Lachlan Swamp. This spring would have been an important source of water that maintained swamplands in this location, probably for thousands of years.

The water in this pond is usually clearer than other ponds in Centennial Park for two reasons. Iron pyrites present in the soil oxidise, releasing sulphur dioxide and causing the spring water to be slightly acidic and therefore clearer. The water it is also filtered up to the surface through sand, contributing to its clearer appearance.

If you look closely, you will probably see that the water is flowing under the bridge from the direction of remnant Lachlan Swamps (North East), towards Parkes Drive (South West). The volume of water moving through this small pond is more evident as it drains over the weir close to Parkes Drive.

If the weather hasn’t been too wet recently, you can wander into the remnant Lachlan swamps where you may even find the source of the spring, as it percolates up, quite close to the decked walkway. Beware of guano from the large colony of grey-headed flying-foxes, which have been roosting in the Lachlan Swamps since 2010.