While walking the Rocky Bay Walk some time ago we noticed some very old and weathered signage for a Heritage Trail and vowed to come back to explore in more depth one day. The heritage trail mapped on the signs differs from the online version, the Rocky Bay Heritage Trail which is made up of two trails - the 2km North Fremantle Historic Town Walk and the Rocky Bay Cliff Walk. To make it more interesting (from experience we have found that often the landmarks no longer exist

We thought we'd check out Homestead Park and Spirit Parks as we were driving through South Guildford but our quick get out of the car let's have a look turned into a long and lovely walk along the banks of the Helena River. We parked at Spirit Park and walked across the road for a quick look at Homestead Park which has a gazebo and some exercise stations. Homestead Park opens up into River Bank Reserve and we couldn't resist exploring further so set off along a wide tra

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

This unique all ages and abilities play space features play and social opportunities for wheelchair users and visitors with other physical or intellectual impairments. There are tactile pathways and "how to sign" communication visuals to foster play interactions. Play zones feature sand and water play, a boat themed play area a carousel and spinners a sway fun boat a double cable way flying fox with accessible and pommel seats a rope swing and swings. twin slides with a soft

The John George Walk Trail is a 5.5km loop walk between Woodbridge and Viveash. You can start the trail at Reg Bond Reserve in Viveash or from Swan Riverside Reserve at Woodbridge. The advantage of starting at the latter is that there are toilets and a coffee hub inside the Woodbridge Play Space, which is a fantastic place for a picnic and a play as a reward for the kids walking or riding the trail. Woodbridge Play Space is one of few all age and all ability playgrounds in

Noongar people camped at Gumap lighting fires (kaarla) at night on the riverbank. The men would catch fish (djidjit) amongst the rush beds and salt marshes and this site remains important to Noongar people today. Now known as Elizabeth Quay, Gumap has much to offer in the way of dining and entertainment options and is a wonderful place to wander around with family, friends or visitors. Within a short space there are 10 pieces of public art, some of which are very noticeable

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

Jutting out into the Swan River at Dalkeith, Mandyooranup (place of banksia) offers wonderful views across Karrakatta Bank to Claremont Jetty and down river to the Point Walter Spit. On a hot day it is the perfect place to catch the breezes coming off the river. The Reserve is quite large with the upper level offering broad grassy areas with mature shady trees scattered around - perfect for a picnic. There is a short scenic drive and limited roadside parking inside the rese

We finally completed the last section of the Swan River Ramble. Garvey Park is the start, or end point, for this fabulous trail which follows both banks of the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) upstream of Windan Bridge. This trail is ideal for walking (in sections) as there is lots to see including stunning river scenery. It is also ideal for a bike ride as the trail covers almost 25km in total and cycling will allow you to cover more distance while still allowing you to stop at

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

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.

Banks Reserve, on the banks of the Swan River in Mount Lawley, covers approximately 3.5 hectares and is bounded by Joel Terrace, the Old East Perth Power Station and the Toni Di Scerni wetlands. Banks Reserve is a place of natural beauty with stunning views up and down the Swan River. The reserve rests on land originally known as Warndoolier and was recognised in 2012 as a place of reconciliation. The reserve's significance in Aboriginal cultural is reflected in the monumen

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

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

Wadjup, the Noongar name for the Canning flats, refers to the area downriver from Riverton Bridge and includes the Clontarf, Waterford and Salter Point foreshores which cover 34 hectares of land, providing habitat for over 74 species of birds,12 reptile and 6 amphibian species. We had already explored Wadjup from the Redmond Reserve Stairs upriver past the Salter Point Lagoon to Sandon Park. Sandon Park was again our starting point as it has parking, off Eldersfield Road, toi

This is a stunning walk following Djarlgarra, the Canning River, downstream from Sandon Park. The walk from Sandon Park to Salter Point Lagoon, at just over 1km in each direction, will take around 15 minutes each way however if you add in the Lagoon Loop and the River Walk it will extend your walk to around an hour. Parking is available on the eastern side of Sandon Park off Elderfield Road. You will find a traditional playground here along with public toilets, picnic fac

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

Como Jetty is stunning as it juts out into the Swan River pointing down river towards Heathcote and Blackwall Reach. On this occasion, owing to roadworks, we parked at the South Perth Community Centre and walked from there but you can park closer along Melville Parade or at the Shopping Centre on Preston Street in Como. Wandering through the streets of Como is interesting as the houses are a mix of heritage homes, modern homes and some not so attractive 60s and 70s construc

The City of Bassendean has three Wicked Walks. One covers the historical town of Bassendean, one covers the parklands of Eden Hill and the third covers the wetland sanctuary of Ashfield Flats. After a wet stormy morning the sun came out to shine and tempted us outside to explore the 2.6km Ashfield Flats Trail. You can start the walk at either end with limited parking bays off Ashfield Parade or a much larger parking area at Sandy Beach Reserve. We parked under the mature