Zamia Trail

The Zamia Trail is the long way round Bold Park, a 437 hectare bushland reserve sitting between City Beach and the Perth CBD. It is the park's most popular walk and the leads here are not a suggestion: Bold Park is an A class reserve and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority sets a maximum lead length of two metres.

The walk. The authority describes Zamia as a 5 km circular walk starting at Reabold Hill, and AllTrails logs the full loop at 5.3 km, moderate, around an hour and a half. There are 15 km of trail in the park altogether, so you can cut the circuit short or extend it. The surface is limestone, uneven and hilly in sections, which is why the authority tells visitors to wear shoes with grip. The payoff is the view from the Reabold Hill summit, city skyline one way and the Indian Ocean the other.

The rules. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority manages Bold Park, dogs must be on a lead at all times, and under the Botanic Gardens and Parks Regulations 1999 that lead must be two metres or less. There is no off-lead area anywhere in the park. Cycling is not permitted on the trails, though you can ride up Scenic Walk and down Scenic Drive at the northern end. Portable barbecues are banned outright because of fire risk, and drones are not permitted. The authority asks visitors to report off-lead dogs by phone while still on site.

Water. There is none. The authority is blunt about it: no toilets and no water anywhere in the park, with the nearest public toilets at Perry Lakes Reserve. Bring everything your dog will drink, and more than you think in summer.

Hazards. Heat and exposure. The limestone holds warmth, shade is patchy across the ridge sections, and there is nowhere to top up. Quendas and black cockatoos live here and the reserve exists to protect them, which is the real reason behind the two metre lead.

Getting there. Reabold Hill car park off Scenic Drive, City Beach, roughly fifteen minutes from the Perth CBD. Parking is free, and there are two other car parks at Tuart and Camel Lake. Gate hours matter here: the Reabold Hill car park is open 5.30am to 7pm from 1 April to 31 October, and 5.30am to 8pm from 1 November to 31 March. There is a penalty for an after hours call out to release your car, so read the sign on the way in.

Nearby with the dogs. The Reabold Hill Summit Boardwalk is the short accessible version of the view. Cup and Co in Floreat handles the coffee, and Hamptons is the sit-down option at City Beach.

When to go. Early morning, and August to October if you want the wildflowers. Avoid the middle of a hot day entirely. Good for steady walkers rather than nervous swimmers, since there is no water on this one at all.

Sources

• Bold Park - frequently asked questions | Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority · www.bgpa.wa.gov.au
• Zamia Trail, Bold Park - Trails WA · trailswa.com.au
• Zamia Track - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.