Perth is an absolutely gorgeous city that all residents and visitors should be able to enjoy, so we’re proud that many of our most gorgeous walks are wheelchair-accessible!
Urban designers in Perth and across the country are increasingly designing places and spaces with accessibility and inclusion in mind. We’re aware that many of Perth’s nature lovers with disabilities can struggle to find walks that they can participate in as well, so we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite wheelchair accessible spots for everyone to enjoy with family, friends and loved ones as they #seeperth!
Perth City
Karda Bidi is a one way nature walking trail, generously hugging the banks of the beautiful Swan River for stunning views. It’s family-friendly, and rich in Indigenous and settler heritage. You’ll find an accessibility map courtesy of Whadjuk Trails here; there are several accessible routes, which include Point Resolution Reserve, and a riverside path with a strong presence of varied birdlife, passing by the Freshwater Bay Museum and Mrs Herberts Park with its historic boatshed, as well as a historic jetty.
The iconic Kings Park overlooking Perth City boasts spectacular views, and excellent accessibility; check out Kings Park - Visiting With Disability Guide for more information. The Law Walk Loop is partially accessible, and boasts gorgeous panoramic views of Perth City. In the Swan River below, you may see dolphins frolicking; look above, and you'll often see flocks of birds panning out in flying formation. Keep your eyes peeled for Carnaby's cockatoo feeding on Marri trees or New Holland honeyeaters darting through the Dryandra sessilis parrot bush.
The Lottery West Federation Walkway is an absolute gem of a walk which is considered one of the great Botanic Garden walks of the world. Peering down at a canopy of eucalypts from 16m above the ground, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Swan River and the Botanic Garden's tranquil Water Garden valley below. This flagship walk is designed to accommodate access for all, with further assistance offered by Parks Management to people with disabilities (just give 0418 923 973 a ring). It's an amazing walk at any time of year, with a splendid showcase of myriad wildflowers blooming in their own time at nature's pace from Spring to Autumn.
The Memorials Walk is also an excellent choice to learn about and honour WA's history; in fact, Kings Park and Botanic Garden has more memorials, statues and honour avenues than any other park in Australia. The Self-Guided Memorials Walk is 1.7 km in length and takes approximately one hour to walk, with suitable access for wheelchairs and prams as well.
The Boodja Gnarning Walk is an absolute treat, offers a unique experience that highlights the diverse methods by which Noongar people lived off the land in the south-west of Western Australia. This self-guided walk explores Australia's oldest living culture first-hand, as you discover traditional foods, tools, medicines and shelter of the Noongar people. The Boodja Gnarning walk is over hard ground with a slight incline; where it splits into the Yorgra and Maarm Track, choose the Yorgra track which has harder ground and isn’t as steep, making it ideal for wheelchair users.
There's also two free daily guided walks offered by Kings Park that are wheelchair accessible: Stories of People and Plants, and Bushland and Wildflowers. You can find more information at the Kings Park Guided Walks brochure.
Perth Hills
The lush, verdant Perth Hills is home to two fantastic wheelchair friendly walk trails: the Settlers Common East Walk Trails (Armadale; wheelchair access limited to the Settlers Common east side), and the Echidna Easy Walk Trail (Ellis Brook Valley). Within the Darling Scarp Regional Park lies the colourful Armadale Settlers Common, boasting rich history and over 300 species of flora. You’ll find a map highlighting the 1km wheelchair-accessible area here; it boasts some spectacular scenery and a picturesque picnicking location. The Echidna Easy Walk Trail is nestled in the spectacular Ellis Brook Valley. It's an easy 500 metre return loop trail through Wandoo Woodland. There's a great BBQ & picnic area to enjoy. Keep an eye out for echidnas!
Fremantle
We love the Beeliar Regional Park Trails, and we reckon you will too! An easy 15 minutes' drive south-east from Fremantle, the Park is a diverse range of coastal wetlands with flora, fauna and gorgeous scenery galore. The Henderson Cliffs Walk Trail is a short loop walk, passing by some fascinating rugged limestone cliffs along Cockburn Sound; 100m of the trail (from the carpark to the lookout) is sealed and wheelchair accessible. The Lake Mt Brown Walk Trail is a scenic bushwalk which is wheelchair friendly for 2km (from the trail starting point to the Lake; the track around the lake is rocky and sandy). The flowering display of firewood banksia in autumn makes it a perfect spot to enjoy the change of seasons.
Rockingham
The iconic Singleton Foreshore is a coastal reserve that's proven itself quite the favourite spot for a beach day and BBQ among local families and Rockingham explorers alike. It's now more accessible than ever, with a new sealed pathway and handrail providing an accessible path of travel from the carpark, and twenty metres of beach access matting has been added to the pathway, providing easier access to the end of the sand dunes. There's also a very inclusive and accessible all-abilities playspace near the parking bay.
Swan Valley
The quaint historic town of Guildford in the Swan Valley is a serene, beautiful spot that’s rich in heritage and nature - and is also quite accessible! Wheelchair users can enjoy a variety of picturesque walks such as the Town Walk and Stirling Square Circuit, which are relatively short and go through town mainly on footpaths as you meander through fairytale streetscapes. The Town Walk provides some insight into early colonial life, with examples of many civic and government buildings, including the courthouse building and gaol. The Stirling Square Circuit is a shorter walk incorporating the best of the Meadow Street precinct and picturesque Stirling Square. You’ll find more information in the Glorious Guildford brochure.
Canning River Regional Park
The 6km Woodloes Walk Trail and 4km Butterflies, Birds & Bridges Trail at the Canning River Regional Park both offer gorgeous, fully accessible interpretative riverwalk experiences. The Woodloes Walk is rich with information about the Canning River's place in history, from providing Aboriginal people with a plentiful source of food, including fish, eggs, snakes, lizards, freshwater mussels, crustaceans, turtles and birds, to its role as a major transport route enabling heavy materials such as timber to be barged up and down stream; the Butterflies, Birds & Bridges Trail takes you over sedge meadows, through mature woodlands, over creeks and amongst the crowns of a paperbark forest as you learn about the incredible biodiversity of this amazing ecosystem.
These wheelchair friendly trails are popular with bird-watchers, as the Park itself has almost 100 species of birds, which is about half the total number of species recorded on the Swan Coastal Plain. The Park is commonly used by many of these birds as breeding grounds, and some frequently spotted birds include cormorants, swamp hens, ibis, pelican, egret, ducks and spoonbills. You’ll find a brochure covering both of these interpretative walks here.
Rottnest Island
The West End boardwalk section of the Ngank Wen Bidi and the Cathedral Rocks Seal Viewing Platform on Rottnest Island are both wheelchair accessible; these can be accessed by bus, but not directly from the Ngank Wen Bidi trail. They’re both great spots to see marine wildlife, bird life and a stunning secluded beach. Visit disability access on Rottnest for more information.
We hope we've made getting out and about in Perth that bit easier, and that you have a wonderful time enjoying the rich natural and cultural heritage of our wonderful home city. For more great information on exploring Perth keep an eye out on our blog for more of the best of Perth!
