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

Woodlupine Brook Reserve in Beckenham is a narrow park that follows Woodlupine Brook between Mills Park Reserve and Roe Highway, where it disappears under the road. The brook has been developed as a living stream combining it's drainage function with grassy parkland. Footpaths criss-cross over the stream at various intervals allowing you to interact with the brook as you wander through the park. We started our walk heading east from Mills Park Nature Playground through lands

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.

We came to explore the Davilak Trail in Manning Park and to look at the Azelia Ley Homestead and Davilak Ruins but decided to do a loop around Manning Lake and I am so glad we did as it is absolutely STUNNING! Perhaps we got lucky with high water levels and early morning winter sunshine streaming through the paperbarks but it was a truly memorable walk. Having just completed the Davilak Heritage Trail and wandered around Azelia Ley Homestead we found ourselves at the large

Starting from either the carpark on Rosslare Promenade in Mindarie or from the car park at Quinns Beach Surf Life Saving Club this path meanders along the coast for just over 1 km, taking about 15 minutes each way. Heading north you get lovely views over the water to Quinns Beach and heading south you get views down the coast to Mindarie Harbour. There are interpretive signs along the way... and you can keep the kids busy scanning QR codes or see if they can spot the osprey i

We walked along C.Y. O'Connor Beach as part of our longer loop from the Omeo Wreck to South Beach but I felt this beach deserved a blog all to itself as it is absolutely stunning! We came from the north after exploring Catherine Point (not worth the bother!) and were immediately struck by the number of seashells on this beach. There were many along the tide line but even more under water where the wavelets were breaking. Very pretty! This is a designated dog beach but we fou

We came across this park by accident but hopped out to have a wander around. From our starting point on the eastern edge it just looked like a park with a walking path around a lake. The lake was quite pretty as we wandered the path, passing some swings and enjoying the birdlife. As we got further around we came to a picnic gazebo and discovered a second lake which had a playground on the far side, built to jut out into the lake. This second lake definitely had a bit of w

Rosehill Waters Estate is a new residential community set on the site of the former Rosehill Golf Course in South Guildford. We discovered this estate when we visited Noah's Playground which is situated within the development. Entering from the west on West Road we were immediately impressed by the entrance statement gardens and pulled over to have a wander through Lockhart and Berckelman Parks. These parks are designed for local community use so there are no parking bays but

The Constitutional Centre, Parliament Place, West Perth West Perth has so many beautiful historic buildings it is well worth exploring. Even on Saturday the street parking is ticketed ($4 an hour - ouch!) but we found we could park along Kings Park Road on the Kings Park side for free. We crossed Kings Park Road and walked around Dumas House, discovering the lovely serene Japanese Hyogo Friendship Garden. From there we climbed the slope to walk around the beautiful Old Obs

After exploring the Urban Art in South Fremantle and on another occasion exploring from the Omeo Wreck south to Woodman Point I felt we had to close the gap and explore north from the Omeo Wreck to South Beach. Previously at the Omeo Wreck I noticed there was a Noongar Tourist Trail which went between Socrates Park and the Port Coogee Marina so this was our starting point. The Noongar Tourist Trail visits a number of parks which feature the glass Kidogo Artworks before movi

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

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

Harold Boas Gardens tucked away in West Perth is a popular venue for wedding ceremonies and you can see why when you wander through this beautiful shady haven. The gardens, first developed as Delhi Square from 1897-98, were redeveloped in the 1970's into their present form and named after prominent architect Harold Boas, who was instrumental in the design of many Perth buildings including the Emu Brewery on Mounts Bay Road. The gardens are also popular with local office work

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

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.

Woodlake Park, situated in the centre of Ellenbrook, is a lovely park curving around the lake in a horseshoe shape. Although the park does not completely encircle the lake, access through the Woodlake Peninsula estate on the eastern border allows you to walk/cycle or scoot all the way around. We parked at the Woodlake Village Community Centre on Highpoint Boulevard and followed a path from the carpark down to the lakeside, emerging at the western gazebo. This large gazebo o

Also in the Ellenbrook area, Central Park in Aveley has a pretty walk winding around two small lakes with a bridge crossing through the middle section, which is where the nature playground is located. The path around the northern lake is mostly shaded whereas the southern lake is more open. Walking around both lakes takes about 20 - 30 minutes. The playground has a flying fox, bird's nest swing, wood maze, tunnel and roller slides, musical play features, spiderweb climbing fr

Aviary Creek Playground is a state of the art, landmark playground in Aveley - one of many amazing playgrounds in the Ellenbrook area. It is hard to miss the 3 storey high waterwheel climbing structure and bright blue and yellow slides as you drive along Egerton Drive. The park and adjoining lake have been designed as a multi generational open space catering for all age groups. Aviary Creek's structures and slides are suited to both older and younger kids. The older ones c

There are so many ways to explore Fremantle and every which way you do it, you will discover something new. Previously we have explored Fremantle from a history and heritage perspective so this time we chose an Urban Art theme. This tied in nicely with our visit to Sculptures at Bathers. This blog has been updated as we have discovered more murals. I hate paying for parking so parked on Ord Street, alongside Fremantle Park, for free but there are plenty of paid parking st