Joseph and Dulcie Nannup Trail

The Joseph and Dulcie Nannup Trail follows the Serpentine River and Goegrup Lake through Greenfields, named for the local family who fished and camped along these waterways. It is a flat, easy Class 1 walk of a little over 4km, mixing sealed path, compacted limestone and wide boardwalk, and it is one of the most scenic on-lead outings in the Peel region for an easy-paced dog.

Leash status

Dogs stay on lead for the whole route. This is not a designated off-leash area, and the reserve protects sensitive wildlife including quendas and waterbirds, so keeping your dog on the path is what makes the walk work. Bins sit near the trailheads, occasionally stocked with dog waste bags by the City of Mandurah, but carry your own spares.

The walk

Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for the full loop. Interpretive signage covers the Nannup family history and the wetland ecology, and the boardwalk sections over Goegrup Lake are the highlight for a sniff-and-look stop, with herons and pelicans the usual company and dolphins a rare treat up the river. Seating is spaced along the route, and the whole trail is pram and wheelchair friendly.

Max: save the boardwalk for the halfway break. The birdlife from the platforms is the part your dog will remember sniffing.

Water, hazards and getting there

There are no taps on the trail, so bring water and a bowl. The river and lake are tidal, part of the Peel-Harvey Estuary, and high tides or heavy rain can leave shallow flooding on the unsealed sections, so check conditions before you go. Councils occasionally lay fox baits in WA reserves, so watch what your dog noses at on the ground. The main access is near Koolyanga Place in Greenfields, 10 to 15 minutes from central Mandurah, with parking near the river and lake access points; Transperth buses from Mandurah Station leave a short walk to the trailheads.

When to go and what is nearby

Early morning or late afternoon beats the midday heat on the exposed sections and gives the best wildlife chances; expect mosquitoes in the warm months. For an off-lead run nearby, Kangaroo Paw Park is the suburb's dog park option. More walks are on the Western Australia dog friendly trails guide and the Greenfields destinations page.