Perth Foreshore

The Perth Foreshore walk is a flat 10.5km lap of the Swan River from the Victoria Park side, taking in McCallum Park and running around to the South Perth foreshore with the city skyline across the water for most of it. AllTrails measures it at 10.5km and grades it easy: sealed shared path, effectively flat, about two to two and a half hours at walking pace. Mature trees give real shade along much of the South Perth stretch, and there are long open lawns if your dog needs somewhere to stop and sniff.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on lead, and off lead is only legal inside signed dog exercise areas. The Town of Victoria Park manages the McCallum Park end and the City of South Perth the rest, and both work the same way: on lead in public places by default, off lead only where a dog exercise area is signed. The signage changes as you cross between councils, so read it rather than following the dog in front of you. The City of South Perth also keeps dogs out of wetland, bushland and conservation areas, off designated bike paths and skate parks, and five metres clear of playgrounds. Its dog exercise map is the authority on which stretch of foreshore is which.

Water and hazards

Fountains and bins are spaced along the path, often near the car parks, and some fountains have a dog bowl at the base. It is exposed in places, so carry water in summer regardless. The main hazard is traffic of the two-wheeled kind: this is one of Perth's busiest shared paths and the cyclists are moving. Walk on the river side, keep the lead short at the narrow points near the Causeway, and leave the long line at home.

Getting there and parking

Access via the Causeway, Mill Point Road or Canning Highway. There is parking at McCallum Park and in smaller off street bays, mostly metered, so check the signs. Buses run along Canning Highway and over the Causeway.

When to go

Weekday mornings or early afternoon if your dog is reactive. Weekend mornings and weekday evenings are the crowded windows, and it is worth skipping entirely on major event nights when the foreshore fills and the fireworks start. The flat ground and easy exits make it a good choice for nervous walkers and dogs still learning the city.

Close by with the dogs

Sonder Coffee and the Victoria Park Hotel are both a short walk up from the river, and the South Perth Foreshore covers the far side of the same water in more detail.

Max: The skyline is the whole point of this walk, and the river breeze keeps the work honest. Short lead near the Causeway, water in the bag, done by ten.

More walks are on the Western Australia trails guide, and everything dog-friendly around the suburb sits on the Victoria Park destination page.