While visiting the Jo Wheatley All Abilities Play Space we thought we would also explore Birdwood Nature Playground as it sits just up the hill and within a few minutes walk from Jo Wheatley. Being explorers though we set out to do a loop from Jo Wheatley to Matilda Bay up to Mason Gardens to see the turtles and then back via Birdwood Nature Playground. Our loop took us 3 hours and was 13km long and although the 10 and 7 years olds didn't complain we were lucky it was a rat

The walk I did was another Wildflower Society of WA guided walk with David Pike sharing his in depth knowledge of the natural environment we passed through. There are plenty of well marked trails on both sides of Elliott Road to explore without the need for a guide. For the moment exploring the more extensive southern part of the reserve will have to wait for another day. As Trigg Bushland Reserve is quite extensive I would suggest downloading a map and planning your trail.

I have driven past this so many times without ever realising it was here. It is a bit of a tricky turn off from Stirling Highway at Boundary Road but recently signs have been erected to advertise the Buckland Hill WW2 tunnels which form an important part of Perth and WA's history. Although the Leighton Battery site is always accessible the museum and tunnels are open from 10 until 3 every Sunday with tours departing every 30 minutes. Entry to the tunnels is $8 per adult a

A multipurpose paved 2.5km path loops around Lake Gwelup Reserve. There is plenty of parking at the Scouts Hall and adjacent public carpark off Huntriss Road where you will also find toilet facilities, picnic benches, drink fountains and a playground. Tennis Courts are also located here and are free to use. If it is too busy here informal verge parking is available along Segrave Street. Having last walked this trail in 2018 we decided we were due a refresher and were not dis

On a weekend late in November the Rotary Jacaranda Festival Weekend is on in Applecross, celebrating the magnificent flowering Jacaranda trees with a fabulous market. Parking can be an issue as this is a popular event and some parking costs $10 a car so we chose to walk in to the festival eliminating the need to park. We started our walk at Ardross, parking at Troy Park (we did have to park on the edge as a cricket game was in progress at the club and the parking bays were

Historic Heart of Perth is a non-profit organisation established with the aim of revitalising Perth's east end and promoting it's great assets. Historic Heart of Perth provides 5 self guided, flexible themed walks covering Architecture, Art, Coffee, Small Museums and the Stadium walk between the city and the new Optus Stadium utilising the brand new Matagarup Bridge to cross the Swan River. Originally walked in 2018 we refreshed this walk in 2025 accessing the Historic Heart

After an early start to enjoy a delicious breakfast at Mason and Bird Cafe in Kalamunda our group set off to explore Whistlepipe Gully in Mundy Regional Park. We parked at the end of Orange Valley Road which is a residential cul de sac so parking is limited. An alternative start point is the car park at the bottom of the gully on Lewis Road. Get your preferred version of a trail map at https://kalamunda.wa.gov.au/recreation-tourism/outdoors/walk-trails/walk-trail-details/whil

The first day of Spring needs to be celebrated outdoors so we set off for a quick walk before tackling the weekend chores. EDIT: Site improvements and carpark redevelopment along Ocean Reef Road will begin mid 2026. Vehicular access is still available from Ancestor Retreat in Woodvale near Cockman House. Beenyup Swamp lies within Yellagonga Regional Park on the south side of Ocean Reef Road in Woodvale. The trail is an easy, flat 2.4 km loop on it's own or it can be inco

Catching a brief spot of sunshine on another wet weekend we went down to Yellagonga Regional Park and walked from Neil Hawkins to Picnic Cove. Neil Hawkins Park is situated on the western side of Lake Joondalup and is a popular picnic spot. It is within walking distance of Joondalup Train Station and also has a large car park, toilets, picnic benches and barbecues. There is a dual use path that encircles the lake. Neil Hawkins to Picnic Cove in Edgewater is 2.5km each way

BELLS RAPIDS Bells Rapids is a favourite place for Perth people to go hiking and no wonder. There is plenty of parking available although best to get there early (before 10) on a sunny weekend as the bays are not marked and it can be a bit of a free for all. There is a toilet block and a few benches but no picnic or barbecue facilities. Lots of families set up their own chairs and barbecue (fire bans permitting) next to the car park and settle in for the day. This is a fa

The Dwerta Mia Trail is a short trail through the bush and into Boomerang Gorge at Yanchep National Park. The 500m loop trail into Boomerang Gorge near the Henry White Oval Camping grounds is a Universal Access pathway suitable for wheelchairs, prams and scooters. There is limited parking at the entrance to Boomerang Gorge. If you are starting from the Visitor Centre or Koala enclosure head past the Chocolate Drops Tea Rooms until you see the trail marker. The first part

The Wetlands Walk Trail is a 2.6km loop trail around Loch McNess in Yanchep National Park. If you walk down the path from the McNess House Visitor's Centre to the lake you can turn right or left and follow the edge of the lake to find the trail. This trail is represented by a bulrushes icon on the trail markers. We did the trail in a clockwise direction heading past the old boat and raindrop sculpture in the picnic area. If you do this as a regular walk it would be interest

This blog was originally written for the 2km loop trail around the dam but in August 2023 park management extended this trail with a 2.5km trail up the gully beyond the dam. The new 4.5km trail has been renamed the Glen Brook Walk Trail and we have now included the extension in this blog. You can choose to walk the shorter loop around the dam or extend to the more challenging hike beyond the dam. It was a sunny winter's day after a wet week so we headed to John Forrest Nat

We walked this trail again in 2025 as part of the Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail - Neerabup Road to Hester Avenue section. The 10th Light Horse Heritage Trail is a 1.2km loop trail with a separate access trail to join the Yaberoo Budjara Trail. Access for both is from the carpark off Wanneroo Road just north of Neerabup Road. There are several parking bays but no other facilities. Pass through the gate and veer left to the 10th Light Horse Heritage Trail sign and then follo

It is always enjoyable going for a weekend drive to the country. Toodyay, just over an hour outside of Perth is a lovely country town with plenty of character. I regularly travel to Toodyay to visit family and always enjoy the drive, noticing how the different seasons affect the landscape. I prefer the drive along Muchea East Road off the Great Northern Highway. This becomes Chittering Road and then turn right at Julimar Road. This is a very pretty drive through rolling h

It was an overcast day with rain forecast but we grabbed our rain jackets and set off from Noggos Kitchen and Coffee on Peninsula Road in Maylands. We headed along Wall Street and then Swan View Terrace until we found the entrance to the Baigup (Place of Rushes) Wetlands. A shared path runs through these lovely wetlands (check accessibility after winter rain) and there are some lovely views across to Kaljuk (Black Swan) Island. Along the way you might spot Eric as this wa

This is one of my favourite places to hike. Normally we go in winter when the river is full and you can hear the water rushing along as you hike Syd's Rapid Trail. This time we went in Autumn and it was a different experience. The river is still very pretty even though the water was so much lower than previous visits. I did miss hearing the water rushing by and the path didn't quite feel like the river walk I am used to. Walyunga is open between 8am and 5pm daily. Please

Herdsman Lake - Ngurgenboro is a stunning wetlands area which is home to over 100 species of birds so there is plenty to capture your attention. For a short kid friendly walk wander along the 800m Olive Seymour Boardwalk section located at the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre. You will learn the Noongar names for the birds that call these wetlands home. This is where you will see bird life up close as the birds feed amongst the reeds. The water is so still it's like looking

It was an absolutely stunning Autumn day for this walk. After tackling the Kokoda Track down the Eliza Scarp from King's Park we crossed Mount's Bay Road (not as difficult as we thought it would be) to walk along the shared bike path.... Note the bikes come up behind you silent and fast but most of the path has grass to one side which means you can safely walk and stop to take photos....oh so many photos of this beautiful stretch of water! If you don't want to cross Mount'

Well I really geared myself up for this one. I read there were 150 steps leading down the Eliza Scarp and that people use this as a training track similar to Jacob's ladder. So I decided to make life easier I would go down rather than up and then I would continue along the Swan River foreshore to Matilda Bay Reserve before heading back up Crawley Steps and into Kings Park. After finding the entrance to the track leading off the park to the west of the War Memorials I took