Urban Walks- Perth

By walkingtwobytwoMay 24, 2016 ( 3 )

This post on Urban walks is in Perth Western Australia. We hope this will encourage you to enjoy what your local area has to offer or if visiting this beautiful City it will give you a look at what is here. Take a wander and see you might be pleasantly surprised.

Perth City

The city has some great places to explore and easy enough to get to with a great mix of natural bush-land, river and city spaces to enjoy.

Kings Park

Kings Park and Botanical Gardens sits proudly up on Mt. Eliza looking over her beautiful City. She is rich in history both Aboriginal and European and one visit there you will fall in love with her. This 400 hectare park has many things to see and do and is a great place for family gatherings. There are free guided walks which we highly recommend as the volunteers are very well-informed on the history, and the flora and fauna within the park. Check out Kings Park – Perth, Western Australia and more information on these guided walks @ www.bgpa.wa.gov.au.

Walks of Kings Park

Lotterywest Federation Walkway – Take a walk through the tree tops and enjoys the views over the Swan River. This walk is around 40 mins return and is pram and wheelchair friendly. On this walk you will also learn more of the indigenous history as you will also be walking on the following trails;

Boodja Grarning walk – 1km, Pram and wheelchair friendly.
Yorga Track – (women’s short walk), 800m, Pram and wheelchair friendly.
Maarm Track – (men’s long walk), 1.4km. Pram and wheelchair friendly.

2. Law Walk – 2.5 km loop trail, pram and wheelchair friendly.

3. Kokoda Walk – 62m vertical rise, this is a tribute to the brave Australian Troops that fought in PNG between 1942 -43.

4. Bushland Nature Trail – 1km loop trail, pram and wheelchair friendly.

5. Memorials Walk – 1.7km, pram and wheelchair friendly.

6. Botanical Garden Discovery Walk –this has two walks to it, the shorter one is 40 mins return and the longer one 1hr and 20 mins return.

For more information go to www.bgpa.wa.gov.au and for public transport there is www.perthexplorer.com.au and www.transport.wa.gov.au.

Perth City Self Guided Walks

Convicts and Colonials Trail.
Icon of Influence Trail.
Boom or Bust Trail.

These can be found @ www.perth.wa.gov.au and you can also get the audio to accompany you along the way. Great way to learn more about the history of Perth.

There is also the

Art City Walking Trail,
Parks and Gardens Walking Trails (great one)
Northbridge Art and Heritage Trail

Plus more. A fantastic site to get more information and download maps from is www.visitperthcity.com.

Elizabeth Quay – a great stroll around and is pram and wheelchair friendly. check out www.mra.wa.gov.au.

Outer City Walks

Herdsman Lake – this is part of a chain of wetlands that extend from the northern suburbs to the southern. Only 10 mins out of the City and accessible by train exiting at the Glendalough station. Approximately 7.5km loop trail with some short board walks and bird hides to check out. Flat easy walk and is pram, bike and wheelchair friendly. More information check out http://www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au.

Whadjuk Network of Trails – this is a fantastic series of trails that connects you from the city to the sea and is on the Whadjuk Noongar Land. For more information and maps you can download on these trails check out www.whadjukwalkingtrails.org.au. Some of the trails are as follows;

Bush to Beach –approximately 16km,starting at Rosalie Park opposite Kings Park and meanders its way through various parks and lake-lands before coming out at Swanbourne Beach and ending at Cottesloe Beach. Trail Markers are a silver triangle on the pavement with the symbol of the Australian Grass Tree. There are also the occasional information sign along the way. Cycle and pram friendly.
Yange Kep Bidi – approximately 21.5km and starts at Fresh water Bay in Claremont and wanders north through various park and lake-lands including Lake Claremont, Bold Park, Herdsman Lake and ending around Lake Monger. Trail Markers are a silver triangle on the pavement with the symbol of the Long neck Tortoise. There are also the occasional information sign along the way. Cycle and pram friendly.
Wardun Beelier Bidi – approximately 17.4km loop trail, starting at Chidley Point Reserve and wanders along the edge of the Swan River before cutting through to the coastal path and heads north along the ocean side to Cottesloe then cuts back through Peppermint Grove to the river and heads south back to Chidley Point Reserve. Do note as it is a loop trail you can start anywhere along the way. Trail Markers are a silver triangle on the pavement with the symbol of the Weedy Sea Dragon. There are also the occasional information sign along the way. Cycle and pram friendly.

Lake Monger – this is part of a chain of wetlands that extend from the northern suburbs to the southern. Only 5 mins out of the City and accessible by train exiting at the Leederville or Glendalough station. Approximately 3.7km loop trail. Flat easy walk and is pram, bike and wheelchair friendly. More information check out www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au.

Scarborough to Trigg Heritage Trail – This is made up of three different trails that can be looped together. Great walk where you enjoy beach and a bit of bush. More information and maps you can download go to www.stirling.wa.gov.au

Trigg Coastal Trail; 2.9km, takes you from Scarborough beach north along the coastal path up past Trigg island and then you can link on to the Trigg Bushland Reserve Trail. Pram, bike and wheelchair friendly.
Trigg Bushland Reserve Trail; 3.2km, takes you all through reserve land with plenty of coastal shrubland, Tuart trees, Wattle and more to enjoy. This trail links on with the Trigg Coastal Trail.
Scarborough Coastal Loop; 1.2km, a coastal loop trail that starts and ends at the Scarborough Surf Lifesaving Club and also joins onto the Trigg Coastal Trail. Pram, bike and wheelchair friendly.

Northern Suburbs

Yanchep National Park – this park has a variety of walks to enjoy and explore for all ages and abilities. One of our favourite places to explore with plenty of wildlife to see and Springtime brings a great show of Wild flowers.

The walks are as follows;

Dwerta Mia; 2.1km, easy, flat and some boardwalk section.
Wetlands; 2.7km, easy, flat with short incline, some boardwalk section.
Woodlands; 2.6km, easy, flat with some loose gravelly limestone and soft sand.
Caves Trail; 4.5km, moderate to easy, some inclines and can be rocky in parts as well as soft sand.
Ghost House Trail; 12.4km, moderate walk with some sections being steep as well as some loose limestone rock and soft sand.
Yanchep Rose Trail; 14km, moderate walk with some loose rock as well as soft sand.
Cockatoo Trail; 17.5km, moderate – hard as it is a long walk and some inclines though more soft sand and loose limestone rocky sections.
Yaberoo Budjara Trail; 28km, moderate – hard as it is a long walk and some inclines though more soft sand and loose limestone rocky sections. This trail also is used frequently by horses and links Lake Joondalup to Yanchep National Park.
Coastal Plains Walk Trail; 51.8km, Hard as it is quite a long trail and requires overnight stops, some inclines and soft sand as well as loose rocky sections. There are three overnight campsites along the way. For more information, check out parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au and www.trailswa.com.au.

Lake Joondalup Circuit – approximately 16km loop trail. This is part of the Yellagonga Regional Park and also the start of the Yaberoo Budjara Trail (as above). You can start at Neil Hawkins Park and follow the paved trail the whole way around the lake. Easy flat walk and is pram, cycle and wheelchair friendly. Great walk for the whole family to enjoy and there are picnic places along the way so pack a lunch. More information check out www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/yellagonga or www.trailswa.com.au.

Lake Goollelal – part of Yellagonga Regional Park as well as the wetland system. Approximately 4.3km loop trail that is flat and easy with playgrounds and rest stops along the way. Plenty of native fauna like turtles, wrens and water birds to see. Multi use trail and is pram, cycle and wheelchair friendly. More information go to www.yellagonga.org or www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au.

Beenyup Swamp Circuit – part of Yellegonga Regional Park as well as the wetland system. Approximately 2.5km loop trail that is flat and easy. Plenty of history with the ruins of the historical Perry’s Cottage and Stables next to Perry’s paddock that was used for horse racing in the 1920’s.

There is also if you keep eyes peeled native fauna like turtles, wrens and water birds to see. Multi use trail and is pram, cycle friendly. More information go to www.yellagonga.org or www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au.

Carine Regional Open Space Circuit – This is a great space and has a few loop walks to choose from;

Outer loop; approximately 3.5km circling around both lakes.
Large Lake loop; approximately 2.4km.
Small lake loop; approximately 2.4km.

More information go to www.stirling.wa.gov.au.

Eastern Suburbs and the Darling Range

John Forrest National Park

This National Park would have to be one of Perth’s finest and is also the oldest. The walk, cycle and horse trails galore. There are great picnic and barbecue areas with the native flora and fauna and waterfalls that cascade down the granite rock faces. There is also a Tavern where the local wildlife often visits.

Eagle View Walk – this fantastic trail is approximately 15km loop and we would class this to be 3-4 as there are some steep rocky sections and is quite long. The Rangers require that you register with them at the parks office when walking the trail and inform them when you return for your own safety. You will follow the trail signs of a yellow triangle with an eagle symbol on it. If you are to walk this trail clockwise, you will pass the beautiful National Park Falls before turning and heading up hill. This is where on a clear day you will see spectacular views over the Jane Brook valley as far as the city and the sea.
John Forrest Heritage Trail
Glen Brook Walk Trail – approximately 2km loop, relatively easy walk though loose rock and incline so we would rate it at a 2-3. The trail loops around the Glen Brook Dam, though quite often it’s dried up or little water, you will follow the blue triangle with the boot print on it.

Railway Reserve Heritage Trail – there are two choices with this trail both starting from Bellevue with one looping off at Mt Helena while the other continues onto Wooroloo. Loop trail is approximately 41km and the other approximately 59km. As this is a multi-day walk we suggest research on the trail and where to stay as well as inform people on you journey. Check out Railway Walks Western Australia on this site. As this is a Railway walk you are following the old historical Eastern Rail Network so the trail is quite flat and is a shared trail for Cyclists as well. For shorter walks check the map and pick a section you may be keen on doing. This trail has plenty to offer and access is easy along the whole way. You will pass through a variety of townships like Swanview, Parkerview, Mundaring and more with many places to stop and rest or grab a coffee and bite to eat. For more information and maps go to www.railtrails.org.au or www.trailswa.com.au.

The Kep Track – approximately 75km and is a relatively easy terrain though long walk so we would class as a 1-2 (2 as it is long). This is a multi-use track as it is for walking, cycling as well as horse-riding. This trail starts at the western end of Mundaring Weir and follows the Golden Pipeline and you will head into towns like Mundaring, Chidlow, and Bakers Hill. As this is a multi-day walk we suggest research on the trail and where to stay as well as inform people on you journey. For shorter walks check the map and pick a section you may be keen on doing. This trail has plenty to offer and access is easy along the whole way. For more Information and Maps check out www.trailswa.com or contact the local Visitor centres like www.mundaringtourism.com.au or even email the National Trust trust@ntwa.com.au

Lake Leschenaultia – in Chidlow and has two trails to follow. One is approximately 3km loop (this loops around the lake) and the other approximately 5km loop (this is a bike trail as well). Both are relatively easy walking and with the uneven surface we class these trails a 1-2. There are BBQ facilities and toilets so pack a picnic and make it a great family day. For more information and maps go to www.trailswa.com.au or www.mundaringtourism.com.au or email lake@mundaring.wa.gov.au.

Bells Rapids Walk Trail – in Brigadoon and has toilets and BBQ facilities. This trail is made up of two trails that you can link to one. Both trails start across the river from the picnic area with the River Walk turning left and the Goat Walk turning right. Another fantastic family walk and great place to see the famous Avon Decent race.

The River Walk Trail is approximately 2.5km. This is relatively flat and we would class it as a 1-2.
The Goat walk; approximately 3km and has more steep and rocky inclines. We rate this one as a 3 class.

More information and maps on this trail go to www.swanvalley.com.au.

Berry Reserve Trail – near Gidgegannup and is approximately 2.7kms. This trail is mostly flat but a few steep sections so we give this a 2-3. There are BBQ’s and toilets so pack a lunch and take a walk then enjoy a picnic after. Another great walk for the whole family including the furry four-legged members (on a leash). For more information and maps go to www.gidgegannup.info

Noble Falls Trail – in Gidgegannup and approximately 3.5km loop. Easy walk that follows the Wooroloo Brook would rate this as a 1-2. This trail starts at the picnic area where there are BBQ’s so pack a lunch do the walk and have a picnic. Great for all the family including the furry four-legged as long as they are on a leash. For more information and maps check out www.gidgegannup.info or www.trailswa.com.au.

Walyunga National Park – this park has five walk trails for you to enjoy as well as providing BBQ and toilet facilities so you can pack a picnic and have a great family day. This park also has wheelchair access go to www.accesswa.com.au. At Syds Rapids it is a great place to watch part of the famous Avon Decent Race as well.

Syds Rapids – Aboriginal Heritage Trail; approximately 6.5km return. We class an easy 1-2.
Echidna Trail – approximately 10.5km loop. We class a more difficult 4.
Kingfisher Trail – approximately 8.5km loop. We class a more difficult 4.
Aboriginal Heritage Trail; approximately 1.2km and we class an easy 1.
Kangaroo Trail – approximately 4km loop. We would class a 3.

For more information and maps go to www.parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au

Bibbulmun Track – 1000km and starts in Kalamunda and finishes in the south in Albany. For more information, go to our post Bibbulmun Track. As this is a multi-day walk we suggest research on the trail as well as inform people on you journey. For shorter walks check the map and pick a section you may be keen on doing. This trail has plenty to offer everyone and has many sections that can be enjoyed as day hikes. For more information and maps go to www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au or check out our post Bibbulmun Track.