Reabold Hill Summit Boardwalk

Reabold Hill is the highest natural point on the Swan Coastal Plain, and the boardwalk to the top of it sits inside Bold Park at Floreat, about ten minutes from the Perth CBD. Dogs are welcome, but this is an A class conservation reserve and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority enforces a two metre lead limit strictly, so leave the retractable and the long line at home.

The walk

The summit boardwalk is a 200 metre elevated timber ramp with landings and seating, five to ten minutes from the car park. The wider recorded route via the Ocean View lookout runs about 3.5 kilometres and takes most people an hour, on boardwalk and limestone bush track, graded easy.

From the top you get views over the city, the Indian Ocean and out to Rottnest, and the banksia and wattle understorey along the track is the reason the reserve holds its A class status.

Leash status

Dogs must be on a lead no longer than two metres anywhere in Bold Park, under the Botanic Gardens and Parks Regulations, and rangers do check. Stay on the boardwalk and formed tracks, pick up after your dog and carry it out, because bins are thin here.

Max: two metres means two metres. If your only lead is a retractable, clip it short and lock it before you get out of the car, not in front of a ranger.

Water

There is no drinking water at the summit and no toilets up top, so fill up before you leave the car. The boardwalk is fully exposed and the bush track below has patchy shade, which makes this a poor midday walk in summer for a dog in a dark coat.

Getting there

The summit car park is on Scenic Drive, off Ocean View Parade, and it is small, filling before sunset on good evenings. Vehicle gates open 7am to 6pm from April to September and 6am to 8pm from October to March, though people on foot can come and go at any hour, and there is no lighting after dark.

More walks nearby

The Zamia Trail loops through the same park if you want a proper bush walk, and the Perry Lakes Dog Exercise Area is the closest place to let a dog stretch off lead. The Floreat Dog Beach adds a swim, and Cup and Co Floreat is a few minutes away for coffee afterwards.

When to go

Early on a weekday morning, or in September and October when the wildflowers are out. Sunset is the busiest hour of the week and the car park will beat you to it. The short climb makes this a good pick for senior dogs too.

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