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

The Nyungar Tourist Trail is located within an important traditional gathering place for the Nyungar people at Wardan Gepa Boodjaralup (the sea shore) at Port Coogee. The trail features Ngarkal (Seagull) Beach and The Lookout plus Kidogo Glass Artworks. The trail includes signage and audio that shares important Aboriginal stories in traditional Nyungar language. We couldn't really hear the audio as we were walking around so decided to listen later and fill in any gaps. Kidog

Within Perth City are numerous public art works reflecting the city's identity, both past and present. This trail includes a small sample or public art works between the CBD and Northbridge. The self guided trail will take up to two hours and you can join or depart the trail anywhere along the way. The city's free CAT buses intersect the route at various points. This Art Trail has now been superseded by a new trail ( see blog post of new trail at https://www.outandaboutfnc.

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

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

Rottnest Island has so much interesting history and a short walk around The Settlement will showcase most of it with the heritage buildings and interpretive signage guiding you. Did you know that the shopping precinct used to be the the Stable Yard? The Hay Store is now the Museum and next door is the shell of the Boys Reformatory which housed boys as young as 8 between 1881 and 1901. The Chapel, built in 1860, doubled as the school during the day until the Island School Hou

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

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

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

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

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.