Careniup Wetlands Boardwalk

Careniup Reserve in Gwelup hides a small wetland that locals call the Secret Garden, with a timber boardwalk and viewing platform winding through paperbarks. It is a short, quiet walk, and dogs stay on lead throughout.

Lead rules

The City of Stirling manages the reserve and requires dogs to be on a leash to protect the wildlife and wetland habitat. Council has previously declined to make any part of it off-leash for the same reason.

The walk

Compacted earth tracks join the boardwalk sections through paperbark and flooded gum woodland, past bulrush beds and plenty of birdlife. It is compact, so treat it as a sniff and a look rather than a long workout.

Drinking fountains are in the reserve's amenities area and bins sit near the playground. The trees shade parts of the route, but the boardwalk and open path catch the sun.

Getting started

Park on the verge off Careniup Avenue.

Pair it with

For a longer loop, Lake Gwelup Regional Open Space is nearby, and Morris Kitchen does coffee.

Best in the morning, when the birds are busy and the boardwalk is cool.