As spring rolls in and the weather warms up, there's no better way to embrace the cool sunny days in Perth's Sunset Coast than by exploring the great outdoors.
Get ready to uncover hidden bushwalks, peaceful picnic spots, and breathtaking natural landscapes that will make your spring days out on the Sunset Coast unforgettable.
City of Joondalup: A Nature Lover's Paradise
Bush Walks
It’s not uncommon to hear the unmistakable squark of Carnaby’s Cockatoo at Yellagonga Regional Park. The haven for nature enthusiasts has to be Joondalup's best-kept secret. This culturally significant park is named for Yellagonga, a leader of the Whadjuk Noongar on the north side of the Swan River in the 1800s. The 16-kilometre dog-friendly circuit around Lake Joondalup is surrounded by native bushland and wetlands. Packed with wildlife, long-necked turtles, frogs, kangaroos, and an abundance of birdlife, including majestic Peregrine Falcons call this spot home.
A popular place to start this trail is at Neil Hawkins Park, 200 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.
Ranked among Joondalup's top five bushland areas for its rich biodiversity, Warwick Open Space covers approximately 60 hectares of pristine bushland. Its four easy trails make it an ideal spot for a nature walk, offering a chance to take time out from the everyday and immerse yourself in nature.
Find Warwick Open Space at Beach Road, Warwick.
Picnic Spots
For those craving an ocean view, throw down a rug on the lawns of Tom Simpson Park. Located alongside the popular Mullaloo Beach, Tom Simpson Park is a local family favourite. It provides the perfect setting for picnics with its tables, shelters, free BBQs, and two playgrounds. Plus, there’s Swell café for a takeaway coffee and treat.
Find Tom Simpson Park at 5 Oceanside Promenade, Mullaloo.
Walking distance from the heart of the city of Joondalup, situated on the edge of Lake Joondalup, Neil Hawkins Park offers a shaded sanctuary away from the city's hustle and bustle. This beautiful part of Yellagonga Regional Park is a hub of things to do, whether you choose to relax on the lawns, take a walk or cycle, or simply explore the playground. Lake Joondalup means “The lake that glistens”, and you can see the stunning freshwater lake in all its glory from the jetty.
Find Neil Hawkins Park at 200 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.
City of Wanneroo: A Haven for Culture & Nature
Bush Walks
Love a long hike mixed with a little culture? The Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail is an ancient Indigenous migration route that covers a whopping 28 kilometres (one way). Experienced hikers, runners, and mountain bikers will savour this challenging trail, which can also be explored in smaller bites.
Trailheads start at Neil Hawkins Park, Joondalup and Yanchep National Park.
Three short tracks make up the Six Seasons Walk Trails. These trails from Marangaroo to Quinns Beach offer up an immersive walk experience highlighting the changing elements of the six indigenous seasons in the Wanneroo region. Ranging from just 700m, these trails are perfect for little legs who love to learn. The Yellagonga Regional Park trail begins at Rotary Park, making it a top spot for a play too!
Trailheads start at Quinns Beach, Rotary Park Wanneroo and Chancellor Park Marangaroo.
Commemorating the 10th Light Horse regiment during World War Two, the easy 1.2-kilometer 10th Light Horse Trail in Neerabup National Park offers a glimpse into the past. See remnants of the 1940s campground foundations of the final camp for Australia’s last wartime mounted regiment.
Find the trailhead just north of the Flynn Drive and Wanneroo Road intersection.
Yanchep National Park has a hub of nine walking trails ranging from under five kilometres to the epic 51-kilometre Coastal Plain Walk. Tread these trials to discover the different landscapes of the region – from swamp land to woodland and the native wildlife that call this special spot home. Download the free Play Trail scavenger app by Nature Play WA - the whole family will love the 1.2km scavenger hunt through the park.
Find Yanchep National Park at Yanchep Beach Rd and Indian Ocean Dr, Yanchep.
Picnic Spots
Located on the eastern shores of Lake Joondalup, Rotary Park offers up a fun-tastic playground for the kiddos to explore, plus toilets, free BBQs, and picnic shelters, making it an ideal spot for a lakeside picnic or group get-together.
Find Rotary Park at 275 Scenic Dr, Wanneroo.
Along the City of Wanneroo’s coastline, you'll find many mega playgrounds! These impressive themed family-friendly parks include Bathers Park (Alkimos), Picasso Park (Alkimos), Treasure Island (Alkimos), Lighthouse Park (Eglington), Kinkuna Adventure Playground (Eglington), and Capricorn Beach in Yanchep tick all the boxes for a play and family picnic.
Sizzle sausages under the gum trees at Yanchep National Park. Immerse yourself in nature as you picnic amongst western grey kangaroos, spy native birds, and visit the cute koalas. The lush lawns are the perfect place to throw down a picnic blanket on the banks of Lake Wagardu (Loch McNess).
Find Yanchep National Park at Yanchep Beach Rd and Indian Ocean Dr, Yanchep.
City of Stirling: A Natural Gem in the Heart of Suburbia
Picnic Spots
For a magical dusk experience, it’s hard to beat a sunset picnic on Sunset Hill. Found by the Scarborough Whale Playground and Skate Park, it’s a brilliant place to let the kids play, and then enjoy a picnic dinner as the sky transforms into a tapestry of red and orange.
Find Sunset Hills at The Esplanade, Scarborough.
Bush Walks
Discover the beauty of Lake Gwelup Regional Open Space by walking the 3.4km lake loop. Found on the southern side of this suburban oasis is a boardwalk that meanders through peaceful wetlands. Linger at the lookout, and you’ll be sure to spot many waterbirds, including the beautiful black swan. BBQs and picnic shelters, plus a shaded playground, make Lake Gwelup a lovely spot for a picnic too.
Find Lake Gwelup Regional Open Space at Huntriss Road, Gwelup.
Herdsman Lake Regional Park is one of Perth's largest inner metro wetlands. This biodiverse park boasts over 100 bird species, which can be spotted amongst the rushes on the 8km lake loop. Some birds migrate here to breed from the other side of the world! Explore more at the interactive Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre. It's an excellent spot for a picnic surrounded by nature too.
Find Herdsman Lake Regional Park at 171 Jon Sanders Dr, Herdsman.
Explore the 3.4-kilometre loop walk around Trigg Bushland Reserve. This peaceful coastal reserve is brimming with beautiful bushland, wildflowers, ocean views, and plenty of wildlife – including shy quendas.
Find Trigg Bushland Reserve at Elliot Road, Trigg.
The 96-hectare Class-A Star Swamp Bushland Reserve boasts the 1.4km Star Swamp Heritage Trail. It's a haven for birdwatchers, with over 80 bird species recorded, as well as reptiles, insects, and spiders. In spring, delicate orchids can be found amongst the wetlands.
Find Star Swamp Bushland Reserve at Groat St, North Beach.
Download the FREE City of Stirling Play Trails app to unlock challenges, solve quizzes and score points while exploring these four amazing nature trails!
Perth's Sunset Coast offers so many possibilities for picnickers and nature lovers to connect with a little bit of the great outdoors, so close to home. Whether you're treading a bush trail, or enjoying a picnic by a lake or the ocean, these spots are sure to add to your spring adventures. Pack your picnic basket and lace up your walking shoes—it's time to explore the many natural wonders of Perth's Sunset Coast.
