Wandoo Heights Reserve is a unique bush landscape in the Swan Valley. The original block of 4000 hectares was granted to George Fletcher Moore, the Advocate General for the Swan Colony, in 1830. As the land was unsuited to farming it was not cleared and is still in its virgin state just as the botanists would have found it in the 1820's. The property was gifted to Miss Olive Gear and Mr Harry and Miss Adela Hyde in 1960. Sadly My Hyde drowned two years later but the two ladi

In between showers during a crazy wet July we decided to head to Star Swamp Reserve. Wetlands are always at their best during or straight after lots of rain and Star Swamp didn't disappoint. The paths are well compacted so were not at all muddy underfoot. The Star Swamp Heritage Trail is one of 8 trails that run through the reserve. Trails are well signposted at all junctions and there is a brief description of the flora and fauna you might see on each trail. The Heritage

This trail in Korung National Park is categorised as a difficult walk as it has some very steep and rough sections. We found it manageable, especially with walking poles, even after some very wet weather. The 4km trail starts at a small carpark at Lions Lookout off Welshpool Road in Lesmurdie where you are immediately rewarded with vistas across the Perth Coastal Plain. Using our trail notes from the Shire of Kalamunda, (as we find trail markers on Shire of Kalamunda walks

It was a chilly 2 degree morning when we hiked this trail but after breakfast at nearby Aunty Cath's Cafe it had warmed up a little. It's only a few minutes drive from the cafe along the very narrow and windy Helena Valley Road to the trailhead. We carpooled from the cafe as I had heard that parking was limited. The road literally runs out opposite a private residence and there is room for about 8 cars here - hopefully they have parked to allow a turning circle so you don't

Starting at the Manning Stairs we hiked the 193 steps to the top….certainly one way to get the heart rate up! There is a platform with a bench at each 50 step interval so you can have a rest and enjoy the views back over Manning Lake, or south over the Davilak Ruins. Once at the top follow the spiral footpath to the lookout for 180 degree views east across Manning Lake and south as far as the eye can see. Looking west you can see ocean glimpses across the ridge of bushland.

Walyunga National Park was quite badly impacted by fire in early 2021 but is well on the way to recovery. We have visited this park many times to explore the various trails. The Kangaroo Trail is a short 4km trail which includes the 1km Walyunga Aboriginal Heritage Trail (River Trail). Although it doesn't have the steep climbs of the Kingfisher and Echidna Trails there is still about 1km of steady uphill climbing. The remainder is about 1km downhill (what goes up must come

Yanchep National Park is always beautiful at any time of the year. In early winter there were still a few splashes of autumn colour to offset the greens leading down to the lake. The Woodlands Walk Trail and many other trails all start behind the Yanchep Tea Rooms. The shared path for the trails crosses the road and then, after a short walk, the Woodlands Trail splits from the other trails as you take the path to the right. If you get to the camping ground you have gone too

Oh my it is so hard to choose my 5 favourite walks/hikes for 2020! In the end I chose walks and hikes that were a little off the beaten track and which were a real surprise. These are in no particular order as they were all amazing walks. Of course the time of year can make or break a walk so I have included when I did the walk/hike so you can choose the same time of year. Salter Point to Clontarf This walk was undertaken in June and it was just beautiful walking along th

Rottnest is an ideal location for cycling and with no traffic (except service vehicles) on the roads and a network of cycling trails it is a safe and efficient means of seeing the island. However there is also a network of four walking trails called the Wadjemup Bidi and we set off to explore these. Crossing over on a day ferry (and lucky to see a whale breach in the distance!) we were ambitious at the start and planned to do the Gabbi Karniny Bidi and the Ngank Yira Bidi, ea

We heard that Hepburn Heights was a hotspot for many varieties of orchids so we set off to see if we could find them. On a weekend or during holidays there is ample parking in the bays next to Padbury Catholic Primary School on O'Leary Street. All other access points are off suburban roads so have limited parking. On entering from O'Leary Road we cleaned our shoes on the brushes provided to protect against dieback. There is a good map of the reserve at the entrance point a

Kitty's Gorge Trail is an 8 km trail that follows Gooralong Brook and the Serpentine River. As a there and back trail it will be 16km return, unless you car shuffle and park at either end. We started from Jarrahdale Cemetery, where there is limited parking, but you can also start from the carpark at the Falls in Serpentine National Park (entry fees apply). Walking from Jarrahdale Cemetery has the advantage of following the brook downstream so the trail descends gradually.

Baldwins Bluff is a challenging 6 km loop trail starting at Serpentine Falls then heading steeply uphill before levelling out on the ridge and offering stunning views across the valley to Serpentine Falls on one side and across the Swan Coastal Plain on the other side. We completed this trail at the end of the Kitty's Gorge one way hike from Jarrahdale to Serpentine Falls. There is a turn off from the Kitty's Gorge Trail before you get to the Falls. The trail starts with an

Lightning Swamp Bushland has a number of trails that criss-cross through it. The bushland is designed more for local use as it has no facilities. Access is actually quite difficult to find. We came in off Malaga Drive and did a few circuits before turning off at Mayer Close and parking on the street on Widgee Road. We then had to walk across Malaga Drive and walk up to the turnstile access point. The turnstile does move but makes pram or bike access tricky. A better acces

Wireless Hill has a little bit of everything and really shines in Spring when the wildflowers are out. The surrounding bush is home to many varieties of wildflowers, including orchids which flower between July and November, so it is the perfect place to go on a wildflower hunt. Wireless Hill Museum Perth Wireless Station, established in 1912, was one of Australia’s first links with radio technology and was used for telecommunications during World War One and World War Two.

The Bilya (River) Walk Track follows the Gulgulga Bilya (Avon River) from Duidgee Park in Toodyay township to Nardie Cemetery on the Toodyay-Northam Road. The track is 5.6 km each way - over 11 km return but you can do a shorter walk by accessing the track from several mid way points. From Duidgee Park the track passes under Newcastle Bridge and you can see the flood indicators on one of the pylons. The track, clearly marked with orange trail markers, passes behind the buil

This beautiful reserve is tucked away at the back of Gidgegannup on Wooroloo Brook. You can access it by turning off Toodyay Road onto Reen Road and travelling 8.5km to the reserve which will be on your left. There is a sign at the entrance to the reserve but it is angled so is easy to miss. The track in to the reserve is red dirt and single lane so you may have to pull over to pass another car on the short road in - easy with a sedan but perhaps more problematic in a 4WD.

We set off to explore the Koondoola Sensory Walk on the first day of the Noongar season of Djilba (early August). We had previously attended a WA Wildflower Society guided walk around the southern section of the bushland (see below) and were keen to see what the Sensory Walk had in store. The Sensory Walk is a 500m paved path running north from the start point opposite the Koondoola/Burbridge Avenue intersection. The trail is set in bush but as it borders Koondoola Avenue I

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

Fishmarket Reserve and Kings Meadow Reserve are on the banks of the Swan River in Guildford. We set out to walk a loop following the Swan River from Fishmarket Reserve to Moulton's Landing before returning along the Helena and Swan Rivers via Kings Meadow. We parked at Fishmarket Reserve, a natural reserve dotted with mature trees and winding pathways. The town of Guildford was established in 1829 as an inland port so farm produce and other goods could be shipped down river

Walyunga National Park and Bells Rapids are both firm favourites and this walk combined the two. Being uncharted territory we joined Off the Beaten Track for a guided hike for this one, setting off at 7.30am from the car park at Bells Rapids (yes it was only just light but at least there was no problem finding a parking space!) We crossed the Bells Rapids Footbridge and although the water was flowing there were not too many rapids yet - more rain is needed for that to happe