Don Shepherd Nature Reserve Trail

The Don Shepherd Nature Reserve Trail is a flat, easy bushwalk off Karnup Road in Baldivis, running roughly a kilometre through banksia, jarrah and marri woodland. Link it with the adjoining Nyoongar Trail and you get a gentle 1.6km loop, which makes this a calm on-lead sniff-and-amble rather than a serious hike, and a good leg-stretcher for a suburban dog.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome but must stay on-lead the whole way. This is a remnant-vegetation reserve with native fauna, and the council keeps leash rules strict across its bushland reserves to protect quendas and ground-nesting birds. Keep to the formed path to protect the orchids and understorey, and bring your own waste bags because there are no bins on the trail itself.

The walk and water

The surface is flat crushed limestone and natural earth, easy underfoot and doable in half an hour to an hour at a stroll. There is no water along the route, so carry some for both of you, and expect little shade in stretches. Spring is the standout season, when the woodland floor comes alive with orchids and wildflowers, with the display generally building from late winter through October. Watch for snakes in the warmer months and keep your dog close on the track.

Pepsi: go slow and look down, the orchids are the whole point of this walk and your dog will happily sniff along at orchid pace.

Getting there and parking

Free gravel parking sits off Karnup Road at the trailhead, with picnic tables and BBQ facilities nearby. There is effectively no public transport to the entrance, so drive; it is about ten minutes from central Baldivis. Take care crossing Karnup Road on foot between the parking area and the trail entry.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons are quietest, while weekend mornings draw walkers and wildflower photographers. In summer, go early for the cool and keep the walk short on hot days. Pair it with a coffee or a pastry at Oscar's Bakery back in town, and if your dog has energy left, Baldivis Fenced Dog Park is the off-lead release valve nearby.

More of the area's walks and venues are listed on the Baldivis destination page and in the wider WA trails index.