This is a loop walk so you can start at a number of places. Limited car parking is available at Peninsula Farm or at the small shopping centre where Noggos Kitchen and Coffee is situated. Larger car parks are available at Maylands Golf Course, Maylands Foreshore, Clarkson Reserve or Tranby Reserve.
We started our walk from Peninsula Farm at Wu-rut Woorat, land of the Wadjuk people for thousands of years before European Settlement. The entire Maylands peninsula was granted to colonists arriving aboard the Tranby in 1830 and became known as the ‘Peninsula Farm’. Joseph Hardey was allocated a share of this land and after losing two houses to flooding the current house was constructed in 1839. It is one of the oldest metropolitan buildings still standing and is a National Trust property. You can book to view the property and read stories about the early settlers and also stories of the Wadjuk Nyoongar people and how the emerging Swan River Colony dispossessed them of their lands. The popular Peninsula Farm Cafe is located within the grounds.
At Peninsula Farm there is a very degraded sign for the Swan River Heritage Trail which traces part of Captain Stirling's 1827 expedition upriver. This 14.7 km driving/cycle trail links with the Swan Valley Heritage Trail. Rediscovering Eric from the Swan River Ramble at Peninsula Farm we followed the shared use footpath along the river reserve upriver enjoying the views across to Kuljak Island.
At the end of the path follow Hillside Crescent a short distance and you will come out at Bath Street Reserve. There are picnic and barbecue facilities here as well as a small shaded playground. You can also access the jetty from here. We had previously visited this park on our Baigup Wetlands walk (part of the Swan River Ramble).
This time we wandered up to De Lacy Reserve to play on the flying fox, bird's nest swing and small playground (toilets here are open if games are being played) before heading west along Richard Street, crossing Peninsula Road and following Fogerthorpe Street to Mary Street, emerging at Berringa Park Wetlands Conservation Area.
From here you can extend your walk by turning right and heading along the shared use path to Malgamongup (Bardon Park). This is a pretty walk with views across the river to Optus Stadium and the city skyline. You pass the Maylands Yacht Club with it's scenic jetty before coming out at Bardon Park. The lower level has a small playground and toilets whereas the upper level has a large nature playground, picnic and barbecue facilities. There are paths for the kids to ride bikes and scooters and a lovely lake and waterfall area (unfenced). The side trip is 1km in each direction and will take 15 minutes to walk, each way.
We turned left and followed the path towards Maylands Golf Course using the tall chimney stack from the old Maylands Brickworks as a marker. Eric from Swan River Ramble also makes an appearance approaching the historic Maylands Brickworks. This section rewards you with more lovely views of the city and Optus Stadium.
The Maylands Golf Course will be on your right with the Maylands Brickworks across the road on Swan Bank Road. The Maylands Brickworks was established in 1927 as one of the first industries in this area. The remaining buildings are heritage listed and include the Hoffman kiln Since closing in 1983 the Maylands Brickworks has deteriorated however plans are underway to reactivate the site.
Detour behind the brickworks to the little nature play ground in Brick Works Reserve, between Brick Works Lake and Lake Bungana. This is a great spot for a quick play and a snack. For a prettier walk you can divert here and walk around the lakes to emerge at Maylands Foreshore Reserve.
If continuing the peninsula loop follow the shared use path around the western edge of Lake Bungana. This path offers views across Lake Bungana and there is an access way between Lake Bungana and Lake Brearley with a central gazebo which connects the shared path with the lakes - another shortcut if you prefer to walk past the lakes.
If not the shared path skirts the Police Complex and meets Clarkson Road. Cross here to enter Maylands Foreshore Reserve where you can visit the Aviation Commemorative Park, on the site of the former Maylands Aerodrome. It marks the aerodrome’s historical significance as the birthplace of commercial aviation in Western Australia and its role as Perth’s first official airport. Interpretive signs at the park tell the story of the aerodrome, which operated between 1924 and 1963, and was home to several pioneering aviation companies and national organisations such as Australian National Airways, the Aircraft Production Commission and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Follow the riverside path east towards Maylands Waterland. There is parking here, toilets, picnic tables and barbecues. This fenced playground comes alive with the water turned on in summer but can be enjoyed year round.
Follow the riverside path behind the waterpark enjoying the samphire flats as you pass behind the outrigger canoe club and tennis courts into Clarkson Reserve which has a small nature playground with picnic and barbecue facilities, river access, parking and toilets
From here as you follow the river through Tranby Reserve you can see across the river to the red slide at Adachi Park, which we explored on our Swan River Ramble - Balbuk Reserve to Ascot Waters walk.
We continued through Tranby Reserve checking out the statues reflecting the indigenous land use before European settlement. The Chase Farm archaeological site is marked out by the wooden fence. Inside this area an archaeological dig discovered the footprint of Schulstad's Dairy Farm and the engineering works that used to be on this site. The information panels on the reconstructed "homestead" provide background on how the land was used and how important this area was for the Methodist church. You can still look down the old well. From here we followed Hardey Road past the Maylands Amateur Boat Building Club and back to our car at Peninsula Farm.
This walk covers around 5 km, depending on the detours you might take and will take about an hour and a half, excluding stops to play at the various playgrounds. The path is mostly flat with a few inclines and is suitable for kids on bikes and scooters. Public toilets are located at Bardon Park, Maylands Foreshore Reserve, Clarkson Reserve and Maylands Waterland, when open.
Nearby walks
Lakes Brearley, Bungana and Brickworks - a 4km walk around the lakes on the Maylands Peninsula including the Maylands Brick Works.
Baigup Wetlands and Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary - wander up river from Maylands to discover wonderful wetlands.
Swan River Ramble - the Swan River Ramble officially follows both north and south banks of the Swan River but this blog focuses on the southern banks between Burswood and Ascot Waters.
Kuljak Island - Across the Swan River is Black Swan or Kuljak Island which has no traffic so is a great place for a walk or a bike ride.
Claisebrook Cove - down river from Maylands you can walk the Tony di Scerni pathway to Claisebrook Cove which has a wonderful Art Trail to discover.
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I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community. If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.
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.
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