Elizabeth Quay via Point Fraser

This riverside walk follows the Swan River foreshore from the wetlands at Point Fraser, east of the CBD, around to Elizabeth Quay, with skyline views, boardwalks over rehabilitated wetlands and cafes at both ends. The one rule to bank before you start: dogs stay on lead the entire way, on a lead of two metres or less under City of Perth rules.

The walk

The route runs flat and fully paved the whole way, three to five kilometres each direction depending on how much you wind through the coves and wetland boardwalks, and takes about an hour at an easy pace. Point Fraser's boardwalks sit at the eastern end before the path opens into the promenade stretch past Barrack Street Jetty, with South Perth across the water and the Elizabeth Quay arch at the finish.

Leash status

The whole foreshore is an on-lead zone, including the lawns around Point Fraser and the Elizabeth Quay precinct, which DevelopmentWA manages. Dogs must also stay at least five metres from playgrounds, including the one at Point Fraser, and clear of the bird habitat in the wetlands. Bins and bag dispensers sit along the route, and picking up is a legal requirement rather than a courtesy.

Water

There are fountains along the foreshore, some with pet-friendly bowls, but they are spaced out, so carry your own water for a warm day. The cafes at both ends make an easy top-up point.

Hazards

Shade is scarce between Point Fraser and the Causeway, so the path bakes on summer afternoons, and the open promenade catches the full force of the afternoon sea breeze. Cyclists share the dual-use path the whole way, and black swans and pelicans along the shallows will test a loose lead.

Max: the wetlands at Point Fraser are there to protect native birds, not for a sniff detour. Keep a tight lead through that section and save the exploring for the open promenade further along.

Getting there and parking

Elizabeth Quay train station sits at the western end, so you can train in and walk back to Point Fraser. If you drive, paid parking is available at the Point Fraser car park on Riverside Drive, and CAT bus stops on Adelaide Terrace are about five minutes from the river.

When to go

Early morning or late afternoon beats both the sun and the wind, and gives you the calmest path for a dog sharing space with bikes and runners. Weekends draw families to the Elizabeth Quay end, so a dawn start pays off.

More walks nearby

For off-lead time before or after, the fenced Ozone Reserve Fenced Dog Park and Victory Terrace Fenced Dog Park are both close by, and the Causeway to Windan Bridge walk continues the riverside network east. Overnight, Quest East Perth takes dogs near Point Fraser.

More options are on the WA dog walks guide and the East Perth destination page.