Starting at Neil Hawkins Park and heading north this time was a different experience to the southern walk. Perhaps it was the drier time of the year but the path is further away from the edge of the lake so you only get glimpses of the paperbark wetlands. Yellagonga Regional Park offers many different walk trails.
The path is dual use so be aware of cyclists (fast and slow). It is fully paved and flat so is universally accessible. The walk between Neil Hawkins and Drovers Place is 4km each way.
There is a sidetrack to a viewing platform about 200m from Neil Hawkins providing views across the lake to Wanneroo.
Further along the path, about 1.3km from Neil Hawkins, there is a side loop out to the "wetlands". This is a rougher dirt track although it is still flat and easy to walk. This detour will add on another km or so to your walk or could be your end point for a shorter walk either from Drovers Place or Neil Hawkins.
Bird life is plentiful and the bird calls will keep you company on your walk - some high up in the trees and others out on the water.
Although there were very few wildflowers out there were still interesting things to see along the way including some massive spider webs catching the morning light.
Neil Hawkins Park was beautifully lush and green. There is a small fenced playground, picnic tables and shelters, toilet facilities and plenty of parking (restricted to 4 hours weekdays). Signage around the park explains the history, flora and fauna of the area. The boardwalk will take you out over the water for magnificent views north and south over Lake Joondalup.
Neil Hawkins is a short walk from Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre and the Joondalup City area which both have plenty of places to grab a coffee or a meal. Alternatively you could stop at Leap Frogs Cafe at Wanneroo Botanic Golf on Drovers Place for a coffee or a meal. While you are here enjoy a walk or a quick game of mini golf in the beautiful gardens.
From Neil Hawkins you can also venture south and explore the trail to Picnic Cove in Edgewater (See our related blog Yellagonga Regional Park) or you can complete the Lake Joondalup Circuit either by cycling the 16km loop or by walking various sections.
To read more blogs go to:
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.