The section of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail between Mt Helena and Parkerville has three Fire Recovery Statues commemorating the 2014 Parkerville fire. These provide an added point of interest to what is already a lovely walk along the old Great Eastern Railway line which linked Fremantle to York until it ceased operation in 1966.
From Mt Helena the trail continues 5.2km to Chidlow or you can side track 2.7km to Sawyer's Valley on the southern section. For today though we are walking 3.7kms (1 Hour) from Mt Helena to Stoneville and then another 3.4km (50 Minutes) on to Parkerville - and then back again. Parking is available at the trailhead next to Mt Helena Tavern and if you choose to dine at the tavern you can contact them about getting a ride on their courtesy bus - that way you may only have to walk one direction. We parked at Pioneer Park which provides a great spot for a picnic or barbecue after the walk. It has a small playground, a creek running through it and toilets.
The trail is 3.7 km from Mt Helena to Stoneville so will take an hour each way. Heading west is downhill whereas heading east is slightly uphill so you can choose which direction to start. The Mt Helena Fire Recovery Statue is titled Regeneration.
Although there are large areas of bush most of the way there are some sections where you are close to properties and you can peek through the trees to catch a glimpse of rural life.
The track is wide and flat although may it be covered in leaves or gumnuts in certain areas where the Carnaby's and Forest Red Tail Cockatoos feed. Did you know you can tell which cockatoo has been chewing on the gumnuts by the way they have been nibbled!
Most of this section was beautifully shaded with just one long section out in the open.
The bush was ablaze with yellows and whites with other pops of spring colours here and there.
The Stoneville Fire Recovery Statue is titled The Community. There is very limited parking trailside here.
Heading west from Stoneville the track is wooded and shady but as you get closer to Parkerville it is more open.
Although the bush was still full of yellow and white there were many more wildflowers along this section and a large section was covered in freesias which, although not native, exude the most amazing fragrance as you wander past.
We were also lucky enough to spot a Blue Wren.
Along the way there are several picnic benches and drinking fountains as well as a detour down to a little creek.
As you near Parkerville once more there are properties either side and you can peek through the trees. There are lots of little access pathways connecting the track to the properties.
The Parkerville Fire Recovery Statue is titled The Volunteer. There is plenty of off road parking at the trailhead or opposite at the Parkerville Hall. If you need refreshments you can head into the Parky General Store but there are no public toilets.
And here we turned around and headed back to Mt Helena....uphill this time but the gradient is very gentle. This track is smooth enough to wheel prams or for young kids on bikes but it is a long way. Older kids will enjoy riding their bikes and of course it is ideal for walking the dog. Just be aware that as it is used by cyclists they can approach quite quickly when they are riding downhill heading west. When they are heading east they are a lot slower as they tackle the incline!
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.
If you enjoy this trail you might enjoy other sections of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail. Click on the links to read blogs on the following sections:
To read more blogs go to:
https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/blog-1
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.