This has been on my list for years and the opening of a brand new play space gave me the nudge I needed. I was not disappointed with the playground or the wetlands! Mary Carroll (1891 - 1971) was a well-known naturalist and taught at Gosnells Primary School from1923 to 1956. She would regularly take her students on nature walks around these wetlands. The reserve was created in 1971 and named after Mary Carroll. Mary Carroll Park is a major bird sanctuary encompassing two wet

We've spent time at beautiful Point Walter on a number of occasions and always find something different to keep us busy. The first visit was on a magnificent Autumn Day to have a go at Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP). The cool water was an added incentive not to fall off! There are a few companies that hire SUP boards here but it is also an easy place to unload if you have your own. As beginners we were advised to paddle to the right of the jetty but discovered there was qu

Jenna Bidi Yorga means “women’s feet walking on the path” in Whadjuk Noongar. This trail traverses the ancient lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people from Djoondalup (the Point Walter Sand spit) along Jenalup "the place where the feet make a track" (Blackwall Reach) to Kwoppa Kepa "beautiful water" (Bicton Foreshore). It is a culturally significant trail which carries the Dreamtime story of Djunda the Charnock woman. Jenalup is traditionally a place for women and children to le

Roley Pools is located along the Canning River (Djarlgarro) below the Canning Dam in Roleystone. It can be accessed from Soldiers Road, Collins Road (stairs) or Thompson Road. This is a place of Noongar stories - past present and future. Traditionally Roley Pool was an important place to gather bushfoods and hunt kangaroos but it also has a long history as a swimming hole and even had a diving board and change rooms installed here in more recent history. Construction of the

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

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

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

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

After seeing a story about three new walking trails at Hillarys Boat Harbour we set off to discover them. The trails are intended to encourage families to visit the harbour and enjoy the various sites on offer while supporting the many small businesses. We squeezed the trails in over two days as the weather was sunny one minute, pouring the next. I quite like the heavy skies as a background in the photos as it looks gloomy and ominous but you can't beat sunshine and brig

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

Kalamunda is a magical place, but you may not have met the tiny folk who also live here. Fairies! The little fairies who roam Kalamunda have disclosed the entrances to their magical homes. Tiny fairy doors once hidden from view have magically become visible. Take your time, roam around, look closely - there's magic to be found. In the main street, or down a lane, no two fairy doors are the same. Follow the map, come out and play, you may just find a fairy along the way. J

Another of Perth's most popular walks is the 3.5km dog friendly (on lead) circuit around Lake Monger (Galup). It is an easy flat walk or ride suitable for prams and wheelchairs or for the kids to ride bikes or scooters. I even saw somebody rollerblading around! It will take you around 45 minutes to an hour. There are two older but shaded playgrounds along the way and the brand new Nature Playground in the south western corner as well as several points of interest to stop at

The Swan River Ramble is an interactive walk trail designed for kids to explore the Swan River. You can walk, cycle, jog, picnic and play while you find Eric hiding at 14 different locations along both banks of the Swan. To help make the most of your adventure use a QR reader (available for download from your app store) to unlock information about each place. We have previously walked the trail on the northern bank around the Maylands Peninsula and from Baigup Wetlands up to

Perry Lakes Reserve covers 80ha and has a number of walking trails weaving around the reserve and the two lakes in it's centre. Although it sits right next door to Bold Park it offers a different experience. Bold Park is hilly - Perry Lakes is completely flat so it is kid and bike friendly. Perry Lakes is a great walk and play destination as it has several different play areas. The lakes are very pretty with flooded gums, peppermint gums and bulrushes around the edges. Lik

There is more to Cottesloe than the iconic beach view of the Indiana or the magnificent Sculptures by the Sea held each year in early March. The Cottesloe Coastal Walk Challenge is about finding 30 walking along the coast north or south from the main beach. We chose to walk south following the dual use footpath along Marine Parade. This provided stunning ocean views out to Rottnest Island, Fremantle Harbour and even Garden Island heading south and stunning views of Cottesl

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

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