Signs of drought have spread from rural Australia to city parks, with beloved duck ponds drying out in Sydney and Parramatta in the grips of searing summer heat.

The water in Domain Creek pond - more fondly known as the Parramatta duck pond - is almost entirely gone, evidence that the drought is not just affecting those who live in rural Australia.

The Domain Creek pond in Parramatta has dried up due to lack of rain. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Meanwhile, much of the pond in Centennial Park has transformed into a hardened cracked surface.

City of Sydney councillor and former federal MP Kerryn Phelps said cities were now seeing more signs of inaction from both sides of politics on climate change that should served as a "wake up call".