Wetlands Trail - Yanchep (Yandjip) National Park

The Wetlands Walk Trail is a 2.6km loop trail around Loch McNess in Yanchep National Park. If you walk down the path from the McNess House Visitor's Centre to the lake you can turn right or left and follow the edge of the lake to find the trail. This trail is represented by a bulrushes icon on the trail markers. We did the trail in a clockwise direction heading past the old boat and raindrop sculpture in the picnic area. If you do this as a regular walk it would be interesting to reverse the direction to get a different perspective. A new boardwalk along this south western section was almost complete in April 2025 (we had to detour a short distance along the road at the time).

The trail is generally flat and well maintained however there are some obstacles such as tree branches in a couple of spots. As we walked around we could hear waterbirds, frogs, crickets and the occasional kookaburra. As always around wetland areas be aware of snakes and make sure you are scanning the path ahead, especially in spring.

Once you pass the intersection for the Ghost House Trail the trail has been recently reconstructed after the 2019 bushfire that devastated this area. The path from here to the boardwalk is wider, flat and well maintained. The undergrowth has regrown and there are only a few places where you can glimpse Loch McNess through the paperbark trees and reeds.

The trail ends after the boardwalk but you can follow the paths along the shore of the lake past the historic Yanchep Inn and back towards the Visitor Centre and the Koala Boardwalk.

This grassy area is where you will often find grazing or lazing kangaroos. You will pass the old boat jetties - the water level has dropped so much they are now high and dry. As you walk back there are stunning views across the lake (Loch McNess) and if you pause long enough you are sure to see lots of birdlife.

As with all wetlands area the walk is peaceful and cool. It will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

There is a $17 per car entrance fee to access Yanchep National Park or you can purchase a WA National Parks Pass or Local Parks Pass to access multiple parks.

Image courtesy of Yanchep National Park brochure.

To read more blogs go to:

https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/blog-1 

See my blog on Yanchep National Park for details on other trails. https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/yanchep-yandjip-national-park-yanchep

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 extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking.