Discover Subiaco and it's surrounds, including 6 local parks, using the Nature Passport developed in partnership between the City of Subiaco and Nature Play WA. The Nature Passport will have the kids creating, imagining and exploring nature through activities such as inventing a scent, building a muddy sculpture or going on a "wildlife" safari. Suitable for all ages, the Nature Passport is available to collect from all City Facilities (we picked ours up at the Library) or y

Most people head to Araluen for the annual spring display of tulip blooms but Araluen is spectacular all year around. We visited late in November to take advantage of the 90th birthday special entry rate of $5 per person. An advantage of coming in the "off" season is that you almost have this beautiful park to yourself! We had a quick stop at Raeburn Orchards as it was on the way and we hadn't been here before. There is a cafe, gift shop and fruit and veg for sale so it is w

The wreck of the Omeo is located about 40 metres off the coast north of Coogee Beach. It lies submerged in about 2-4 metres of water and is clearly visible from Omeo Park. Omeo Park has a viewing platform so you can climb the stairs to look down at the wreck or, if you wish to explore the Coogee Maritime Trail, a 300m dive and snorkel trail in 2-3 metre deep waters, you can access the trail by entering the water from the stairs leading down from the platform. The platform a

After exploring South Fremantle in search of urban street art there were two more locations on South Street in White Gum Valley so we decided to explore Booyeembara Park and then wander through White Gum Valley to South Street to look for the art. Booyeembara Park was lovely but we equally enjoyed wandering through the streets of White Gum Valley which was full of whimsical surprises including Valley Park and the White Gum Valley Community Orchard. We entered Booyeembara Pa

New Norcia is Australia's only monastic town and is still home to around 9 Benedictine Monks. Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine Monks, the town has had many purposes; a mission, a monastery, a provider of education and now as a place of spiritual retreat. You can wander around town on a self guided tour and can download the New Norcia Town Map here or you can pick one up at the the Visitor Centre, open 9.30am -4.30pm every day except Christmas and Boxing Days. There ar

Shepherds Bush Reserve, off Barridale Drive in Kingsley, is a lovely 17ha pocket of bushland perfect for a nature walk. We walked in late July when the Noongar season changes from Makuru to Djilba and more wildflowers are starting to bloom. If your kids are keen bike riders this play space is ideal as it includes a kid's bike skills track with road signs, pedestrian crossings and a petrol pump: perfect for the little ones. They can even practise their parking skills in the

Point Fraser (Boodjargabbeelup) We've walked the loop around the bridges a number of times but have never really stopped to take in the beauty of Lake Vasto, Ozone Reserve and Point Fraser. Point Fraser Foreshore Reserve can be accessed off Riverside Drive. Paid parking is available here and services both the recreational side of Point Fraser as well as the waterfront dining and entertainment at On the Point. You can also park here to explore Ozone Reserve and Lake Vasto on

We started our walk at Point Reserve which was magnificent in the early morning light. Point Reserve lies across from where the Helena River intersects the Swan between Iho Park and Kings Meadow Reserve on the Guildford side. The riverfront properties here own the land all the way to the river so either side of the reserve is private property limiting access. It is a beautiful reserve to visit for a wander along the river's edge. The river is popular with kayakers and it is

Kalamunda is a magical place, but you may not have met the tiny folk who also live here. Fairies! The little fairies who roam Kalamunda have disclosed the entrances to their magical homes. Tiny fairy doors once hidden from view have magically become visible. Take your time, roam around, look closely - there's magic to be found. In the main street, or down a lane, no two fairy doors are the same. Follow the map, come out and play, you may just find a fairy along the way. J

Shh! Don't let this secret out! Nestled in a copse of trees along the waterfront of North Cottesloe is the Secret Gnome Garden. This delightful hidden "garden" between Marine Parade and Little Marine Parade is a delightful discovery for both children and adults. We discovered the Secret Gnome Garden on our Cottesloe to Swanbourne walk. Walking along the coast keep an eye out for an unusual house. Cross the road to explore the bushy bit and you will encounter a path lead

Wanneroo has many amazing pieces of public art scattered across it's suburbs. Some are located in very public places which you might pass every day without "seeing" the art. Others are tucked away in small pocket parks and you need to be "in the know" to find them. Local residents might be surprised to "find" them in their local park too! The Public Art Safari is divided into three sections: North, Central and South. A map and guide is available from the City of Wanneroo

Buckingham House is located in the original Wanneroo townsite at 10 Neville Drive. The house, built between 1880 and 1890, is one of only a few remaining examples of a typical family cottage. The house was home to the Buckingham Family: Mum, Dad and seven children! John Buckingham was a grazier and the property was vital to the northern stock routes. John Buckingham donated five acres of his land for a new school and the site also includes the Old Wanneroo School Hous

Beeliar Regional Park covers a vast area of 26 lakes and associated wetlands on the coastal plain south of the Swan river. The wetlands and surrounding areas provide important nesting and feeding habitats, as well as acting as summer refuges for a diverse bird population, many of which migrate here from the northern hemisphere. This area is culturally significant to the local Nyoongar people. North Lake - Coolbellup - and Bibra Lake - Walliabup - in particular have spiritual

We ventured out to York in 2019 during the York Festival (late September to mid October) to catch the Wara Art Trail. It is a lovely drive to York (97km from Perth) and depending on the time of year it can be verdant green (winter) glowing yellow (early spring when the canola is in flower), dull yellow (wheat harvest) or shades of brown (summer). The Wara Art Trail showcases spectacular larger than life straw sculptures. In 2019 the sculptures depicted a Murray River Cod

Whiteman Park is a 4000 hectare piece of bushland located close to the Swan Valley in Perth's north. As well as being a biodiversity hotspot offering many nature activities it also houses a wildlife park and several museums. Entry is from Beechboro Road North (off Tonkin Highway), Drumpellier Drive or Marshall Road. Access is also available from the Whiteman Park Train Station with shuttle bus (weekends only) or Heritage Tram connections (check timetable) into the Park. Th

Caversham Wildlife Park situated within Whiteman Park is popular with both tourists and locals. Although entry to Whiteman Park is free entry fees do apply to visit Caversham Wildlife Park. Caversham Wildlife Park is open from 9 am to 5.30pm every day except Christmas Day. As well as being a tourist attraction the Wildlife Park has active research, conservation and breeding programs. The park has over 2000 animals, most of which are Australian native species including mamma

We last walked the Wunanga Trail way back in 2017 and were pleasantly surprised by it's quiet beauty when we walked it again in 2025. Wunanga means ‘quiet’ or ‘peaceful’ in Noongar and this trail certainly lives up to its name. The only noise breaking the peace is the call of birds, occasional muted traffic and every now and again the train whistle as it approaches the level crossings. The yellow trail is 4.3km long so will take about 1 to 2 hours. As the trail is set in a

Not strictly Out and About in Nature but museums give an insight into how life was lived before all our mod cons as well as teaching us about the land we live on. The picture shows the wagon driving along Wanneroo Road which had jarrah blocks laid to form a foundation on the loose dirt. Wanneroo Museum is only small but is packed full of things to see and interact with. There is a museum clue hunt for the kids to do. During school terms you and your child (aged 2-5) c

The Children's Forest situated between Whiteman Village and Mussel Pool in Whiteman Park provides an exciting link between the two main areas of Whiteman Park. The Children's Forest is an easy 200m walk from the Village and 50m from the Mussel Pool area. The Forest itself extends for about 300 metres north to south but because it is made up of a series of zones, each with separate gate entries, the walking trails around the forest possibly extend to several kilometres as th

Situated between Toodyay Road and the Great Eastern Highway at Chidlow, Lake Leschenaultia is a large man made former railway dam in the Perth Hills. The lake is ideal for swimming and paddling and the mountain bike and walk trails are centred around the café and playground area. In Spring and Summer visitors flock to Lake Lesch, as it is affectionately known. White sandy beaches and calm water make it ideal for children of all ages to swim or paddle in safety. We walked arou