Perth Water Circuit via Boorioo Bridge and Narrows Bridge

The Perth Water Circuit is a 9.5 km lap of the Swan River on sealed foreshore path, crossing at the Narrows Bridge at one end and the eastern bridges by Heirisson Island at the other. Flat, paved and lit, it is the easiest long walk in Perth with a dog, and almost all of it is on lead, with the exceptions mapped rather than obvious.

The walk

AllTrails logs 9.5 km and about two hours at a steady pace. Concrete and asphalt the whole way with gravel sections on Heirisson Island, no climb worth the name, and water beside you throughout. Because it closes on itself you can start anywhere, or halve it by crossing at the Causeway.

Leash status

The City of South Perth covers the southern foreshore, and its position is that dogs are on lead in public places unless a sign or the council map says otherwise. The foreshore has a published dog exercise map showing on lead, off lead and not permitted zones, worth a look first, because areas that used to be off lead no longer are.

Three limits are worth memorising: dogs stay five metres clear of playgrounds, they are not permitted on designated bike paths or skate parks, and they are barred from the city's wetlands, bushland and conservation areas except on formed paths. One more applies to this loop specifically: dogs are prohibited inside the kangaroo sanctuary area on Heirisson Island, so keep to the perimeter track.

Watch-outs

Cyclists and commuters are the main hazard. Between 7am and 9am, and again from 4pm, the shared path carries fast bikes in both directions, and a dog on a long lead across that path is the accident everyone can see coming. Summer pavement is the other: dark and unshaded for long stretches, hard on paw pads in the afternoon heat.

Max: keep the dog on the river side of you and the bikes on the outside. On a shared path that single habit removes most of the risk, and it means a bell behind you never puts your dog in front of a wheel.

Water

Drinking fountains sit at intervals along the South Perth foreshore and around Elizabeth Quay. The Swan is tidal here and the foreshore is not a swimming spot; treat the river as scenery and carry a bowl.

Getting there

Parking is at the Boatshed and Coode Street on the South Perth side, with paid bays filling fast on weekend mornings. The ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street jetty puts you at the middle of the southern leg, and free Transperth CAT buses loop the foreshore.

Pair it with

For a shorter version of the same river, the South Perth Foreshore walk covers the best stretch without the bridge crossings. If your dog needs a proper off-lead run afterwards, Como Olives Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a short drive south, and Split on Angelo does the post-walk coffee with outdoor tables.

When to go

Early morning is the best light and the coolest pavement, though it is also commuter peak on the path. Midday on weekdays is the quietest window. More options are on the Western Australia dog walks guide and the South Perth destination page.