Are you aware of the wetland lakes in South Perth? Set back from the foreshore cycle and walking paths in Clydesdale Reserve these beautiful lakes often go unnoticed.
There are no paved paths around the lakes but the lovely grass is green and relatively flat so should be accessible for prams and wheelchairs. There are two boardwalks so you can either walk all the way around the outside of the lakes or loop around in a figure 8 to take in the boardwalks. The walk around should only take about 30 minutes depending on how often you stop to watch the antics of the various waterbirds!
The city views, directly across the river, are absolutely stunning! Take a seat on this bench for views to the city on one side and over the lakes on the other!
Closest access to the lakes is from the Coode Street Jetty parking area. There are public toilets set back from the foreshore (they are tiny though and a real squeeze to get in with the door open!) or you can access the toilets behind the Boatshed Restaurant at the jetty itself. There is a large shaded playground and swings at Coode St.
If you continue on to the last lake, Lake Hurlingham you will find another playground, Hurlingham Playground. This playground has been expanded recently and now provides an inclusive and welcoming playspace for children of all abilities to play and interact together. There is a ramp providing access for children with mobility needs, an accessible liberty swing and a range of opportunities for cognitive, physical and social development. The new play equipment integrates well with the old playground retaining the sandpit under existing shade sails. There are barbecue facilities here.
As you walk along the foreshore between Coode Street Jetty and Lake Hurlingham you will pass Djirda Miya (home of the birds), an artificial island constructed in the river close to shore. Opened in September 2021 the island provides a safe refuge and nesting area for the State’s iconic Black Swan. Cygnets have since been born on Djirda Miya and nesting seems to have moved from the lakes to the island where eggs and chicks are out of harm’s way. This island also provides a refuge for other local birds and signage along the foreshore helps you to identify the birds.
You can explore these lakes on their own or extend your walk along the foreshore downriver to the Scented Gardens and Mends St Jetty (just over 1km and a 15 minute walk each way) or further still to Miller's Pool at the Narrows (2km and a 30 minute walk each way). You can also explore upriver towards the Causeway through McCallum Park (approx 2km, 30 minutes each way from Lake Hurlingham).
We completed a full loop walk from Millers Pool (the Old Mill) along the foreshore to South Perth Lakes and then headed back along Mill Point Rod via Windsor Park. The full 8km loop walk took us just over 2 hours.
To read more blogs go to:
For South Perth Foreshore Walk blogs:
Scented Garden Jetty to Jetty
Millers Pool to Mindeerup Piazza
McCallum Park and Lake Hurlingham
Windsor Park and Old Mill Road
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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