Bungendore Park was gazetted in 1897, originally as a timber reserve. This remnant piece of bushland covers 498 hectares and is used for research purposes and field studies because it is home to 350 plant species and 160 animal species. Bungendore means "Place of Gum Blossom". Access to the park is from Albany Highway or Admiral Road. We missed the turnoff from Albany Highway to the northern Dryandra Drive carpark so ended up at the Admiral Road carpark where we had stopped in 2022 to hike the Cockatoo Circuit.
From the carpark follow Dryandra Drive, a wide fire trail, for 350m as it passes behind Southern Hills Christian College and the Wattle Road intersection. Here you will see the trailhead information sign next to the first of many dieback cleaning stations.
The Honeyeater Hike is the longest trail in Bungendore Park and forms a 7.7km loop. Initially the trail continues along Dryandra Drive before you turn to the right along the trail which is also the Robin Ramble. The trail narrows as it passes the fence line of the College before turning northwest. We delighted in spotting patches of cowslip orchids and many other wildflowers as we passed through Jarrah Marri woodland.
The Honeyeater Hike Trail leaves Robin Ramble and heads north, following the Whistler Walk loop which brings you to the Albany Highway Trailhead. This section of the trail is marked by a drier environment with lots of parrot bush. There are many signs providing information on the fauna and flora found in Bungendore Park.
From the Albany Highway Trailhead the trail follows Whistler Walk before turning right (west) where it becomes it's own trail. Initially you traverse woodland which was covered in wildflowers in September.
After about 2km the trail leaves the plateau heading down into a series of gullies with winter creek crossings.
After another km there are distant City views before the trail descends through Wandoo woodland before climbing again. This track is rougher than the other tracks which were flatter. but pea gravel and honky nuts make all the trails a little bit hazardous as it is easy to slip.
The trail passes some rehabilitation works around the old gravel pit as it climbs gently back to the plateau.
Eventually the trail intersects Robin Ramble where the Honeyeater Hike turns to the right to follow the Cockatoo Circuit as it loops back to Wattle Road and the Admiral Road Trailhead. As we had hiked this section in June the previous year we opted to return along Dryandra Drive to the trailhead. This shortened our hike which we completed in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
As expected walking in Spring there were loads of wildflowers out. It's always a delight when you spot an orchid blooming in the bush and we were rewarded with several sightings along the way. Some flowers are large and showy, others, like the triggerplant, small and dainty and the variety is incredible!.
Trail markers are clearly located whenever there is a change in direction or an intersecting trail. There are many dieback cleaning stations along the trails as you move from a dieback infested to a dieback free area so it is important to clean boots every time.
Trail maps can be downloaded here.
Date hiked: late September 2023 - Orange trail marked below.
Yellow trail is section we didn't walk but which is part of the Cockatoo Circuit hiked in June 2022.
To read more blogs go to:
Cockatoo Circuit - Bungendore 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.