Herdsman Lake Loop

Starting from the Popeye Lake Car park off Jon Sanders Drive, Osborne Park, this walk takes you on a circuit around the perimeter of Herdsman Lake. Perth's northern suburbs are filled with various wetland areas that make for great walks, and Herdsman Lake is one of the best. The trail showcases great flora and fauna as well as lovely views over the lake. On the eastern side of the lake, two bird hides are in place for you to quietly observe the birdlife close up. There are various facilities dotted around the lake, including picnic areas, playgrounds, and the iconic Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, which organises different wildlife activities. Take a quick detour near the Wildlife Centre and include the impressive Olive Seymour Boardwalk on your circuit, which will take you right into the heart of the swamp, through a thick grove of paperbark trees. The trail is a mixture of paved paths and limestone tracks and is suitable for walkers, cyclists, prams and wheelchairs. There are no toilet facilities or water filling stations around the lake, so be sure to bring drinking water. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-31.909497,115.801941)
Mode	Bus Car Train
Directions	From Mitchell Freeway Turn on to then drive for 730 m Keep left onto Hector Street West and drive for another 155 m Turn right onto Hector Street and drive for another 130 m Turn left onto Hutton Street and drive for another 840 m Turn right onto Scarborough Beach Road, 75 and drive for another 870 m Turn left onto Selby Street North and drive for another 540 m Turn right onto Jon Sanders Drive and drive for another 195 m

Track Notes

Getting started
From the Popeye Lake Carpark off Jon Sanders Drive, Osborne Park, head towards the playground at the far end of the carpark, then head along the walking path, keeping the playground to your right and the lake to your left. After passing a sheltered informative display, follow the path ahead to continue the Herdsman Lake Loop(counterclockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 305 m continue straight.
	After another 90 m turn left.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip wil take you to a viewpoint closer to the centre of the lake. There is a seat for you to sit on and savor the views as well. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 95 m continue straight. After another 380 m pass the artwork (65 m on your right).
	After another 470 m continue straight.
	After another 140 m turn left. After another 250 m continue straight. Then cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
	After another 90 m continue straight. After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 120 m veer left. There is a playground .
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Lakeside Road, Herdsman. Details below. After another 680 m continue straight. After another 185 m pass the playground (on your left). After another 195 m continue straight.
	After another 190 m turn left. Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 4 m turn left. After another 110 m continue straight.
	After another 100 m turn left. After another 75 m come to the viewpoint (9 m on your left). After another 170 m come to the viewpoint.
	After another 100 m continue straight.
	After another 100 m turn left.
	After another 35 m turn left.
	After another 70 m veer left. After another 210 m continue straight. After another 260 m continue straight. Then pass the car park (on your right). After another 75 m pass the sign (on your left). After another 100 m continue straight. After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 120 m veer right. After another 215 m continue straight. After another 300 m pass the playground (50 m on your right). After another 85 m continue straight.
	After another 55 m turn left.
	After another 60 m veer left. After another 540 m continue straight. After another 155 m continue straight.
	After another 165 m turn left. After another 155 m come to the viewpoint (75 m on your left).
	Veer right. After another 450 m come to the viewpoint (50 m on your left). Continue straight. After another 100 m continue straight.
	After another 490 m turn left.
	After another 810 m come to the end.

This side trip wil take you to a viewpoint closer to the centre of the lake. There is a seat for you to sit on and savor the views as well.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 215 m turn right.
	After another 15 m come to the end. A viewpoint. About 30 m past the end is a seat. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 230 m to the main route.

Terrain

Herdsman Lake Loop

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	8.4 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There is one 490 m (plus an extra 250 m along side route) from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	490 m + 250 m	[seat]

Weather Forecast for {{location.name}}

Alerts and Closures