Nyoongar Trail

The Nyoongar Trail is a short bushland walk off Karnup Road in Baldivis, about 600m on its own and easily combined with the adjoining Don Shepherd Nature Reserve Trail into a 1.6km loop. Interpretive signage along the way covers Noongar seasons and culture, so it reads as well as it walks.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on lead at all times. This is remnant bushland with native fauna, so off-lead exercise is not permitted here, and the shoe-cleaning brushes at the entrance are there to help stop dieback spreading through the banksia and tuart understory.

Do not confuse the trailhead with the nearby Baldivis Children's Forest, where dogs are not allowed. If you can see the Karnup Road signage and the picnic shelters, you are in the right reserve.

The walk

The surface is crushed limestone and the grade is flat, making it an easy outing for older dogs and steady puppies alike. The woodland is a mix of banksia, tuart and marri, and the signage stops give the walk a natural rhythm rather than a single push to a viewpoint.

Short as it is, most people loop it with the Don Shepherd Nature Reserve Trail to make the trip worthwhile. Spring is the standout, with wildflowers and orchids through the understory.

Water and hazards

Bring your own water; there are no dog bowls out here. Snakes are active in the warmer months, so keep your dog close through summer, and carry waste bags because bins are limited. The track can be soft after rain.

Getting there and parking

Free parking sits at the Karnup Road trailhead, about 10 minutes from central Baldivis, with picnic shelters and BBQs on site. There is no direct public transport, and Karnup Road is busy, so take care with a dog on the verge while you cross or turn.

When to go

Early morning or late afternoon in spring is the pick, when the wildflowers are out and the air is cool. Shade is patchy, so summer walks are best kept short. It is generally quiet, with more locals through on weekends.

While you're out there

For an off-lead run afterwards, Baldivis Fenced Dog Park on Acrasia Road has separate large and small dog yards. The Serpentine River Crossing and River Walk adds a longer option nearby.

Oscar's Bakery handles the post-walk coffee run. More routes are listed on the WA trails guide and the Baldivis destination page.