City of Vincent Wetlands Heritage Trail
- Out and About
- Jul 1
- 8 min read
The City of Vincent Wetlands Heritage Trail follows the path of past and present wetlands from the northern end at Charles Veryard Reserve, North Perth to Warndoolier - Banks Reserve on the Swan River in Mount Lawley at the southern end.
The extensive wetland system to the north of Perth was a crucial part of life for the traditional owners and custodians of this land, the Whadjuk Noongar people. They held significant social and spiritual significance for the Noongar people for over 45,000 years before British colonisation changed the landscape for ever.
It was the string of freshwater lakes and swamps to the north of the Swan River that led to the city of Perth being established in 1829 as they provided a reliable source of fresh water. However as the city developed the lakes and swamps were seen as a barrier and soon many were drained forcing the Aboriginal population to assimilate as it lost it's source of fresh water. Reclaimed land around the deeper lakes was set aside for parks, gardens and sports grounds allowing us to follow the "trail" of wetlands which drained into the Swan River at Claise Brook.
Charles Veryard Reserve has a muralled clubroom, cricket pitches and traditional playground shaded by ancient fig trees and the Macedonian Orthodox Church of St Nikola in the background.
Cross Bourke Street into pretty Danjanberup - Smith's Lake Reserve.
Danjanberup - a Noongar word for ‘meeting place’ but also meaning footpath or pathway to the digging place, possibly referencing nearby ochre and food sources - is now known as Smiths Lake. Much of what was left of the lake after sections were drained and developed for farming and market gardens in the early days was resumed to become Charles Veryard Reserve. Remaining wetlands and lake areas were rehabilitated in the late 1990's as Smiths Lake and in 2002 planting, artworks and signs were installed allowing visitors to read and hear different stories about the significance of the wetland area from Noongar, British and Chinese perspectives. The ‘talking rock’ installation includes the voice and words of the late Noongar Elder, Doolann-Leisha Eatts, who recounts a story passed down to her by her ancestors about early colonial contact and conflict in the area. The sculpture by artists Francine Riches & Tony Riches depicts a campfire and references the importance of Aboriginal storytelling.
Water from Smith's Lake flowed into marshy ground at what is now Beatty Park in North Perth. We found some artworks here including a Jesse Lee Johns Mural which depicts the Bike Repair Stations in the neighbourhood.
From Beatty Park cross Vincent Street and head south down Florence Street turning at Hammond Street to see The Avocado House before crossing into Mick Michael Park and heading to Dorrien Gardens.
Dorrien Gardens marks the beginning of Lake Henderson - Goongarulnyarreenup, which extended to where Robertson Park is today. Lake Henderson was first drained in the 1870's and when the stormwater drain was extended to Robertson Park the lake dried out completely allowing market gardens to establish on the lake bed. Dorrien Gardens was developed as a soccer ground for the Azzurri (now Perth) Soccer Club in the 1950s. in 2023 a mural was painted to represent the FIFA Women's World Cup use of Dorrien Gardens as an official training facility. The 80 metre long mural titled Boorloo Wirin, (Perth Spirit) was created by Sioux Tempestt and Seantelle Walsh who guided over 70 community participants to paint the background. Boorloo Wirin celebrates women in sport, multiculturalism, diversity and unity and recognises the traditional owners of the land, the Whadjuk Noongar people through Aboriginal symbols and iconography.
The ancient gathering place that is now Robertson Park was designated as a reserve in 1913. It is now home to a tennis centre, currently undergoing redevelopment. The second stage of the redevelopment will include a nature play space (can't wait as the current playground is very dated) and a public toilet. The Park is also home to the AIDS Memorial including a reflection pool, and Halvorsen Hall, currently home to the Robertson Park Artists Studio. We entered Robertson Park at the AIDS Memorial then side tracked onto Stuart Street passing some murals on our way to see the Maltings, used as a maltings factory for nearly 100 years but now redeveloped into stylish residences. There is also a heritage electricity substation.
Turn back into Robertson Park to wander past the old play equipment and then around Little Bojoormelup lake, a listed Aboriginal Sacred site. The lake was reconstructed in 2005 and named after the original lake. The residences facing the winter lake feature three different artworks by Fecks, Kyle Hughes-Odgers and Amok Island. The artworks reflect the area's past use as a bottleyard, featuring glass fragments found during redevelopment and the Akorn Banksia which can still be found in the park. You can also see parts of the garden and the footprint of Ormiston House, originally built in 1885 and serving as a home, a school (the forerunner to Presbyterian Ladies College) and a nursing home before it was demolished to make way for Robertson Park. From Robertson Park you can choose a side trip to Hyde Park or you can turn the trail into a loop and pass Hyde Park on the return as we did.
The Wetlands Trail then takes you through Stuart Street Reserve where you will find a hole in the wall coffee shop and more murals.
We backtracked along Lake Street to walk down Forbes Road whereas the map seems to shortcut through a carpark. We were glad we did as the first laneway off Forbes Road had a mass display of graffiti art and city views.
We continued down Forbes Road to Newcastle Street to look for Lee Hops Cottage but were unsuccessful as we were distracted at Newcastle Street by new murals alongside murals which we had discovered on one of our Northbridge adventures.
We did go on to find the former Mackay's Aerated Water Factory on Money Street, which produced a range of locally made aerated waters and cordials including supplying the troops during the Second World War until its closure in 1966.
From here we walked along Little Parry Street to see more murals, emerging at Weld Square.
From Weld Square the Wetlands Trail continues along Parry Street and then alongside the railway line to the Swan River. We decided on a different route along Beaufort Street passing Birdwood Square which has a lovely new playground and public toilets.
Then we followed Bulwer Street east to HBF Park. Thompson’s and Stone’s Lakes were drained and market gardens worked mainly by Chinese were established on the reclaimed land around Loton Park - where HBF Park is now. Here you will also find the heritage listed Loton Park Tennis Club. Across the road is the heritage home Dilhorn.
From Loton Park follow Summers Street to East Perth Railway Station where you can cross the many tracks safely on the overpass. If you are lucky you will spot one of the country trains or even the famous Indian Pacific.
Head back along Summers Street to the heritage East Perth Power Station which features in our blog https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/tony-di-scerni-pathway-and-historic-buildings. In operation from 1916 to 1968 these buildings have been sitting empty for 40 years but are slated for redevelopment into a waterfront precinct. The development will be named “Koomba Kalark,” which translates to “the place of the big fire". It will be interesting to see how these heritage listed buildings are transformed.
It is a pleasant stroll along the river to Warndoolier - Banks Reserve where you will find a lovely nature playground, picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. Banks Reserve is a place of natural beauty with stunning views up and down the Swan River.
Walters Brook, which flows into the Swan River at Banks Reserve, originally flowed from a swamp on the site of Forrest Park on Walcott Street, Highgate. The brook still flows today, but is mostly underground until it reaches Banks Reserve. This is a great space to rest before your return walk.
Following the Wetlands Trail from Robertson Park you can take a detour to Hyde Park (approx 1km each way) or you can close the loop on the trail, as we did, by walking from Banks Reserve via Hyde Park back to Charles Veryard Reserve.
From Banks Reserve follow Joel Terrace with it's heritage architecture and stunning homes to Bramall Street to access the pedestrian overpass at East Perth Station. On the other side follow West Parade to Chapman Street, crossing Lord Street onto Broome Street. Broome Street will take you past Jack Marks Park which has a fenced playground alongside a dog exercise park and then Brigatti Gardens which was created from a drained swamp on the most northerly of the three strings of swamps north of Perth. Brigatti Gardens also has a small playground.
As you intersect Beaufort Street you may wish to stop for a meal or a coffee at the various eateries that can be found in this area. Otherwise you can cross straight over and continue along Chatsworth Road however it is far more interesting to detour slightly and take Kaadadjiny Lane in Highgate, with it's murals and graffiti art covered walls or wander along Mary Street which is completely enclosed by the canopy of mature trees and also features heritage homes and a stunning church. Whichever way you go you will end up across from Hyde Park.- Boodjamooling
Third Swamp Reserve was used as a rubbish dump after Lake Poullet was drained but later the land was reserved for public use, formed into two lakes and renamed Hyde Park. In 2025 many of the mature trees on the islands were removed after infestation by the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle. The park still retains many of the magnificent mature trees around the lake and it is still a stunning place for a walk or a picnic. These photos are from 2025 - for photos prior to the tree removal and for more information on the playgrounds in Hyde Park head to the Hyde Park blog. https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/2019/07/05/hyde-park
Can you find the Pieces of Leisure sculpture?
From Hyde Park head along Vincent Street to Beatty Park and then through Smiths Lake Reserve to Charles Veryard Reserve to complete your loop.
Download the Wetlands Trail map at: https://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/Profiles/vincent/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Environment/Green_Resources/TOV_Wetlands_Heritage_Trail_Map.pdf
The trail from Charles Veryard Reserve to Banks Reserve, excluding the 2 km return Hyde Park sidetrip, is around 6km and our return walk from Banks Reserve through Hyde Park to Charles Veryard Reserve was just under 6km - distances will depend on any detours and sidetrips. The full loop is around 12 km and will take 2 to 3 hours.
There are toilets along the way (marked on the map) and opportunities to stray off the trail to enjoy a coffee or a meal at a cafe. Parking is available at both Charles Veryard Reserve and Banks Reserve or at various points along the way.
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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 extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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