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 to find the trail 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. As with all wetlands area the walk is peaceful and cool. It will take at least 40 minutes to complete.
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 then follows the shores of the lake past the Yanchep Inn back towards the Visitor Centre and the Koala Boardwalk.
Yanchep National Park is a fabulous park offering several short walking trails up to 4.5km as well as some longer trails such as the Ghost House Trail which is 12.5 kms. There are also extended trails available which take days to complete. There are plenty of picnic facilities including barbecues and toilet facilities. There are some interesting buildings to visit such as the McNess House Visitor Centre, The Yanchep Inn, Gloucester Lodge Museum and Chocolate Drops Tearooms, where you can buy delicious homemade chocolates! There are a couple of ovals - Henry White Oval is available for camping and Bull Banksia Oval is home to Treetops Adventures. There are lots of limestone caves in the park so it is important to stay on the trails. Crystal Cave and some of the other caves are open for tours which can be booked at the Visitor Centre. There is also a 9 hole golf course. Yanchep is a favourite place to bring overseas visitors as there are always plenty of kangaroos around and the Koala Boardwalk enclosure offers great koala viewing.
There is a $15 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 .
See blogs on the Dwerta Mia Trail, Woodlands Trail and Caves Trail and other longer trails within Yanchep National Park.
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.
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Image courtesy of Yanchep National Park brochure.