Whadjuk Trails - Bush to Beach Trail
- Out and About
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Bush to Beach walk trail lies on Whadjuk Noongar land. The Noongar people continue to share and practice their traditional laws, customs, language and culture, which is characterised by their continual spiritual connection to ‘country’ (Boodja). Significant Noongar sites along the Bush to Beach Trail include Lake Jualbup, Perry Lakes, Bold Park and Lake Claremont. These sites were significant to the Noongar people as they were used as a source of water and turtle meat, for fishing and for catching waterfowl. Now 16.3km long, the Bush to Beach Trail links bushland and other local heritage trails. The route can be walked in sections from numerous access points.
This trail starts at Rosalie Park in Shenton Park and ends at Cottesloe. Trail markers, featuring the native grass trees are embedded in footpaths or on bollards and are one directional so it is advisable to follow the trail from Rosalie Park towards the coast. While trail markers are generally frequent some have been removed and there may be sections where a map will be your best guide.
Rosalie Park is a lovely green space with a small colourful playground, playing fields and paid parking. Before you head west along Onslow Road wander around the school to see a beautiful community garden, fabulous murals and St Matthew's Anglican Church. We explored Shenton Park as part of the Walking Subiaco Trail Network.
Turn right at Excelsior Street which brings you out at Lake Jualbup. Excelsior Street is a fabulous alternative place to park as is has several shady roadside bays. The Bush to Beach Trail takes you to the boardwalk just beyond the two playgrounds before skirting the southern side but it's not far to walk all the way around the lake if you choose to.
Jualbup is an Aboriginal term meaning ‘a place where water rises in the season of spring’. In the early days of European settlement, a timber miller named James Dyson worked in the area, and thus it became known as Dyson’s Swamp. Later it was renamed Shenton Park Lake, after land developer, George Shenton. The Aboriginal name ‘Jualbup’ was restored to the lake in 1996.
The trail passes by public toilets before you cross Herbert Street, following Evans Street to Railway Road where you can safely cross the railway at Shenton Park Station underpass. Cross over and then walk west on Stubbs Terrace keeping an eye our for the trail markers which direct you into Shenton College. At the time of walking this trail there was some construction work going on here and paths were closed so it was a bit tricky finding our way but basically walk through the carpark between Shenton College and Grace Vaughan House to access Shenton Bushland.
Shenton Bushland is a 21 hectare remnant of Banksia and Jarrah woodland, once used by the Whadjuk Noongar people for food and medicinal plants. Since European settlement it has also been used as a POW Camp and a rubbish dump. The bushland is now retained for conservation and passive recreation and is home to the endangered Graceful Sun Moth (Synemon gratiosa).
A short way in cross a wider track and a trail marker directs you back into the bush. At the next intersection trail markers direct you to the right and the trail meanders through this lovely piece of urban bush with trail markers guiding your way until you emerge onto Lemnos Street opposite the Cat Haven. If you are walking this trail in sections you may wish to turn around here and follow the western trail which loops back to Shenton College. You can cross the railway line safely at the road overpass and then return to Rosalie Park along Aberdare Road passing a small nature playground at Harvey Road Park and with the option to detour into pretty Dot Bennett Park.
The Bush to Beach Trail continues west along Lemnos Street, north along Brockway Road and then west along Underwood Avenue crossing into Perry Lakes Reserve. Personally I would skip this bit as it is quite a long way with not much to see. Instead you could park at Perry Lakes Reserve and explore the development which is home to the Empire Games scoreboard, grab a coffee and play at the ropes playground or walk around the lakes to add on those kilometres you missed.
Perry Lakes is a lovely recreational area and sits east of Bold Park. The Bush to Beach Trail follows the southern edge of Perry Lakes Reserve, where you pass a toilet and another playground, before entering Bold Park at Camel Lake Car Park.
A network of walking trails to suit a range of fitness levels meander through Bold Park. The Bush to Beach follows the Yoorn Trail and then turns onto the Camel Lake Heritage Trail and the Tuart Walk up hill (quite steeply!) to Reabold Hill Lookout.
Take a small sidetrip to explore the lookout with it's fabulous views across Perth.
Then head back to follow the upper or lower section of the Zamia Trail as it winds it's way downhill. Turn off at the Balga Walk into Wollaston Road car park. If you are doing sections you can continue along the Zamia Trail to connect with the Yoorn Walk back to Camel Lake Carpark and Perry Lakes Reserve.
If continuing cross Rochdale Road and continue east turning right at Mcclemans Road. Thankfully this road heads downhill passing the Christ Church Grammar Playing Fields. At Fortview Road cross over diagonally through Fortview Park. At the bottom there is a very narrow fenced trail bordering Cottesloe Golf Course. A few metres along turn onto Haldane Street and then right onto Mayfair Street. Walk along Mayfair Street alongside stunning homes as you ascend and descend some small hills, giving you some stunning city views over the rooftops along the way.
At the end of Mayfair Street cross busy Alfred Street and turn down Butler Street. At the bottom of Butler Street you enter Ballaruk Bushland and follow bush tracks and then a footpath alongside the residential development and Narla Road.
Turn right at Birrigon Loop and follow the road to an access point at the underpass under West Coast Highway. Follow West Coast Highway south and turn right at Seaward Avenue, crossing over to follow Iolanthe Street west then turn left along Jameson Street before entering Jones Park.
Cross Sayer Street and follow the trail along Wood Street and into Allen Park where you will find the Allen Park Heritage Precinct. The buildings were moved to this location from the 1990s. Mattie Furphy's House, Tom Collins' House and Tom Fricker's Cottage are all heritage listed as are some of the trees.
A large dune, Melon Hill, rises 40m above it's surroundings and has views to Rottnest Island. Until 1991, Melon Hill operated as part of the coastal defence system. Following removal of a concrete pillbox installation, the area became reserved for public purposes.
The trail continues west crossing Swanbourne Reserve and then skirting The Shorehouse to join Marine Parade and continue to Grant Marine Park, the end point.
Don't forget to detour to the Secret Gnome Garden as you head south along Marine Parade!
Mudurup is one of many points along the Perth Coastline where Noongar ceremonies relating to the Kuranup (Noongar Heaven) would take place. In the spirit world the Wardang (Crow) would come and take the spirit of Noongar to its final resting place over the Wardan (Indian Ocean). The Kuranup is the resting place of the Noongar Wirin (spirit).
For digital and print map options click on https://whadjukwalkingtrails.org.au/trails/bush-to-beach/. The interactive map features Noongar cultural heritage sites with interpretative information about their significance.
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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, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.