Lake Joondalup Circuit

The Lake Joondalup Circuit is a long, flat 17.4 km lap of the lake through Yellagonga Regional Park, most of it paved and shared with cyclists. Dogs are welcome on lead across the park, with one significant exception: Neil Hawkins Park, the obvious place to start, sits on the City of Joondalup's dog prohibited list. Start somewhere else.

The walk. AllTrails measures the full circuit at 17.4 km and grades it easy, but easy here means flat, not short. Allow four hours or more with a dog. The route runs on sealed shared path and boardwalk through paperbark wetland, with viewing platforms over the water and open bushland in between. Some long stretches have very little shade, which matters more than the gradient does.

The rules. Yellagonga Regional Park is managed by DBCA together with the City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo, and dogs are permitted on lead throughout it. Neil Hawkins Park is a separate matter and appears on the City of Joondalup's list of areas where dogs are not permitted at all, so plan your start and your parking around that. Keep dogs away from the kangaroos that graze near the water.

Water. There are toilets, taps and picnic facilities at points around the lake including Picnic Cove. Do not rely on finding them at the right moment on a 17 km lap, so carry a bottle and a bowl.

Getting there. The circuit is reachable off Joondalup Drive, Lakeside Drive and Winton Road, with free parking at Scenic Drive and Picnic Cove among others. Joondalup train station sits close to the eastern side, which makes this one of the few long walks in Perth you can reach without a car.

Nearby with the dogs. The Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail runs through the same park system, Elcar Park is the closest fenced off lead area, and Paper Avenue Cafe is a short walk from the station end.

When to go. Mid week, or late afternoon before sunset. Saturday mornings bring the cyclists out in numbers on a path that is shared and fast. Winter turns some sections muddy. Good for big runners with the distance in them.

Sources

• Areas where dogs are restricted or not permitted, City of Joondalup · joondalup.wa.gov.au
• Yellagonga Regional Park, DBCA Parks and Wildlife Service · exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
• Lake Joondalup Circuit · alltrails.com

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