Lake Goollelal

Lake Goollelal sits at the southern end of Yellagonga Regional Park on the Madeley and Kingsley boundary, with a paved path running right around it. It is a flat, easy wetland circuit with a long boardwalk over the water, and dogs walk it on lead.

The walk

Trails WA puts the shared path at 4.5 km and AllTrails records the loop at 4.8 km, an easy hour or so. It is fully paved and flat, so prams, wheels and older dogs all manage it, and a 380 metre boardwalk with two viewing platforms runs out over the water.

The path passes paperbark stands, jarrah and marri woodland and the old Luisini Winery buildings on the north eastern shore, and the birdlife through the wetland is the reason most people come.

Leash status

On lead at all times, under DBCA's Yellagonga Regional Park rules as well as the City of Joondalup and City of Wanneroo. The councils are explicit that this is about wildlife: a loose dog stresses the birds the wetland exists to protect, and kangaroos move through the park as well.

One hard edge to carry in your head: dogs are not permitted in Neil Hawkins Park further north in the same regional park, and that is where the nearest public toilets are. There are none on the Goollelal loop itself, so plan before you arrive.

Water and hazards

The lake itself is off limits, with no swimming, fishing or craft on the water, so bring water for your dog. Tiger snakes and dugites sit in the paperbark edges in the warmer months, so stay on the paved path, and ticks have been reported through Yellagonga, so run your hands over your dog before the car trip home.

Max: the boardwalk is narrow and busy on weekend mornings. Keep the lead short when passing, and give the snake-prone edges a wide berth through summer.

Getting there

The main car park is off Woodlake Retreat Road in Kingsley. The old Luisini Winery car park has been closed for redevelopment, so do not plan around it, and Edgewater is the nearest train station though not within walking distance.

More walks nearby

The off-lead run at Kingsway Fenced Dog Park is the closest release valve, and the Lake Joondalup Circuit covers the northern lake for a bigger day in the same park.

For coffee, Lakeview Cafe and Banksia Food Co. are the nearest dog-friendly stops, with The Kingsley Tavern taking dogs outside.

More routes sit on the WA dog friendly trails guide and the Madeley destination page.

When to go

Go early morning or late afternoon when the birds are active and the path is quiet, and late July through November adds wildflowers to the best stretch of the year here.