This small but different heritage trail winds it's way through the old Wanneroo townsite. I suggest you download the brochure to show you where to look for the unique pavers and also to get the background to each marker. We followed the map but found it was much more efficient to read the brochure as it explained exactly what to look for and where to look for the markers. Other heritage trails have interpretive signs along the way which is handy but I found this trail unique and it was fun looking for the different icons.
The trail starts at the northern boundary of the original Wanneroo townsite and heads south along Wanneroo Road. The original school house building can be found at Buckingham House on nearby Neville Drive.
Continuing along Wanneroo Road you will pass the 15 Mile Well, required to water the horses on the long trek from Perth. Continue on to the southern boundary of the original townsite at the edge of Wanneroo Showgrounds which have hosted an agricultural show every year since 1909. If you walk this trail on a Sunday morning you can visit the weekly swapmeet held at the Wanneroo Showgrounds from 7am. From here the trail follows Ariti Avenue and Frederick Street around the showgrounds but you can also backtrack along Wanneroo Road, diverting along Noonan Avenue to the Social Club on Crisafulli Avenue.
You will have to cross busy Wanneroo Road but there is a safe crossing just south of Crisafulli Avenue. Walk along Sinagra Street to Memorial Park where you will find the War Memorial, Walk of Remembrance and the RSL Spirit of Anzac Grevillea.
After passing the Limelight Theatre mural head around past Aquamotion, stopping to see Shelley Taylor-Smith's star on the wall by the entrance, then into Bert Togno Park to view the Walls of Honour which pay tribute to the traditional owners of this land, pioneers and early settlers.
Before heading back along Dundebar Road make sure you check out the heritage mural on the east wall of the car park below Yagan Place.
Back on Dundebar Road you will pass the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre which houses the Wanneroo Museum which is well worth a visit. On the other side are the City of Wanneroo buildings - make sure you go and see "Wanneroo Sam", an early market gardener and have a look at the entrance gates. In the centre of the roundabout is "Looking West" a sower of seeds and a shallow water fisherman reflecting the agricultural beginnings of Wanneroo.
From the roundabout head down Rocca Way with it's graffiti murals, past the shopping centre, which at the time of our visit had some colourful parrots at the front entrance. You will notice the murals on the chemist when you are looking for the heritage plaque on the corner of Conlan Avenue and Wanneroo Road.
The final stretch will take you back along Wanneroo Road where from 1942-1945 volunteers manned a garden shed around the clock to spot planes and report the type of plane and direction of travel to Pearce Air Base! The trail finishes where the old St Anthony's Church stood, opposite the Northern Boundary sign.
Parking is available at the shopping centre and cultural precincts and public toilets are located in the shopping centre or at the library during opening hours. This walk took us about an hour and 20 minutes and is about 5km long.
While in the area take the kids to the Wanneroo Museum and then have a picnic and a play at the all abilities Opportunity Playspace in Rotary Park before a visit to historic Buckingham House or a walk/ride along the shores of Lake Joondalup North to the Pines or South to Studmaster Park .
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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 extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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