Maylands Peninsular Loop

The Maylands Peninsular Loop is a flat 4.8 km circuit around a bend of the Swan River, a short drive northeast of the Perth CBD. It passes the old Maylands Brickworks, Lake Bungana and the Tranby House heritage site, with city and stadium views across the water the whole way. Fully sealed and level, it is one of the more accessible river walks in Perth.

The walk

Allow about an hour for the 4.8 km circuit, which is rated easy and stays flat from start to finish. The surface is sealed and even, so it suits prams and older dogs who find rough ground difficult. The route threads the foreshore, the wetland edge and suburban street sections, and you can shorten it at several points if a shorter stretch is plenty.

Leash status

The City of Bayswater manages the foreshore and dogs are on lead along the loop, particularly through the Baigup Wetland Reserve stretch where the birdlife is the reason the reserve exists. Keep clear of the signed sensitive wetland areas and give playgrounds and sports grounds a wide berth. If your dog needs a proper off-lead run, the plan below handles that.

Water

Carry your own for the walk. The Swan is tidal along this stretch and the banks are mostly mudflat rather than beach, so this is not a swimming part of the river. Water is generally available at the parks and cafes near the route rather than out on the loop itself.

Watch-outs

Mosquitoes are the real nuisance here. The route runs through wetland and salt marsh, and repellent is worth packing from spring onward. The shared path also carries cyclists, so keep your dog on the lead side and stay predictable at corners.

Getting there

Maylands Station on the Midland line is the closest train, leaving a short walk to the foreshore. Driving, there is free parking at the Maylands Brickworks off Swanbank Road and along Clarkson Reserve. Weekend mornings are busiest, so weekday visits are easier for parking.

Close by with the dogs

Riverside Gardens just upriver is where the swimming happens, with the large off-lead exercise area at Riverside Gardens Dog Exercise Area and a dedicated Riverside Gardens Dog Beach. Afterwards, Noggos Kitchen and Coffee on Peninsula Road and Mrs. S Cafe both take dogs at the outdoor tables.

When to go

Early morning or late afternoon, especially through the Perth summer when the paved surface holds heat well into the evening. Weekdays are much quieter than weekend mornings, when the cyclists come out in force. The flat, even ground makes this a good choice for seniors and for dogs who need gentle footing.

More options are on the Western Australia trails guide and the Maylands destination page.