Jutting out into the Swan River at Dalkeith, Mandyooranup (place of banksia) offers wonderful views across Karrakatta Bank to Claremont Jetty and down river to the Point Walter Spit. On a hot day it is the perfect place to catch the breezes coming off the river.
The Reserve is quite large with the upper level offering broad grassy areas with mature shady trees scattered around - perfect for a picnic. There is a short scenic drive and limited roadside parking inside the reserve along with picnic tables and benches but no other facilities. A small nature playground is located within the Reserve, several hundred metres from the carpark, with paved paths making this an easy walk or scooter ride.
Known as Mandyooranup by the local Mooro Aboriginals this area was first recorded by the Vlamingh Expedition of 1697. In 1827 the area was charted by James Stirling and named after Captain James Cook's famous vessel 'Resolution'. From the 1850's the limestone cliffs were quarried by convict labour. Two stone huts built to accommodate the convicts and their wardens were built on the river shore, however by 1894 the huts were in ruins. Quarrying continued into the early 1900's and stone from this quarry was used to build the Sunset Men's Home in nearby Sunset Precinct. At various times plans were floated to have both tram and ferry services use the reserve and even a tunnel across the Swan was considered at one time. Fortunately none of this development eventuated and the area remains a public reserve which has recently been rehabilitated and upgraded.
The Karda Bidi Trail, part of the Whadjuk Walking Trail Network, traverses Point Resolution and you can follow a small section of this trail as it loops through the upper park. The Karda Bidi Trail then heads down a short road to the river foreshore where it continues along the river edge, passing riverfront mansions, to Bishop Road Reserve. From Bishop Road Reserve you can continue along the Karda Bidi Trail on the actual river foreshore at low tide all the way to Claremont Jetty. On the day we visited the tide was rising and was at 1.0m (it gets to 1.2 at the peak) so access was limited to wading through the shallow water at the edge. On another occasion we have walked from Claremont Jetty at low tide (0.5m) and were able to walk along the river beach with a short section over limestone rocks. To check on the tides at Point Resolution go to willyweather.com.au.
To access the river on the southern section descend the stairs and you will find a rough dirt track which leads you along the river's edge. There are paved stairs back up the slope further along or you can continue along the dirt track until you hit the limit of the reserve at a boundary fence. A very rough dirt path alongside the houses will take you back up the hill. This area is a great space to let your older children loose to explore the bush and the river's edge.
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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 emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.