A Breath of Fresh Air

Reconnect with nature as you explore the expansive parks of the Swan Valley and the abundance of native flora and fauna right within your reach.

By TORI WILSON.

A BREATH OF

FRESH AIR

WESTERN AUSTRALIA IS blessed with vast amounts of space, clean air and brilliant native bushland and animals. Now more than ever, we crave the great outdoors, and just a 25 minute drive from Perth, the Swan Valley has ample naturebased attractions to get lost in.

Covering close to an impressive 4,000 hectares, Whiteman Park is a unique recreation and conservation reserve that offers endless activities for a family day out. Bring your bike and cycle through the park or embark on one - or all - of three available bushwalking trails – Werillyiup, Goo Loorto and Wunanga - encompassing Horse Swamp, Bennett Brook and the park’s banksia woodland, respectively.

Each trail highlights a different set of wonders boasted by the bushland and are all clearly signposted.

No matter what the season – but most spectacular in spring – hundreds of native plant species thrive at Whiteman Park, from fields of paper daisies and vibrant orchids,

ROAM FREE

Soak in all the glory nature has to offer when exploring Whiteman Park.

to trigger plants and delicate fungi.

There’s no shortage of wildlife at Whiteman Park either. The park is a biodiversity hotspot and an important haven for migratory birds. The most iconic species found at the park is the wedge-tailed eagle, known as the waalitj to the local Noongar people. They have an impressive wingspan of over two metres so they shouldn’t be hard to spot, mid-flight! The endangered Baudin’s black cockatoo and the red-tailed black cockatoo are also frequent visitors to the park, with the Carnaby’s black cockatoo occasionally sighted. Keep an eye out for a range of native mammals among the bushland, with the brush-tail possum, the honey possum, and the yonga or western grey kangaroos being just some of the furry friends you might spy. The critically-endangered woylie, quenda and short-beaked echidna are best observed in the Woodland Reserve when booking in for the park’s nocturnal walk, running until May and resuming in September. Feeling hungry after all that exploring? Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before taking a heritage tram ride to Mussel Pool where the kids can enjoy the new allabilities playground at Pia’s Place. whitemanpark.com.au

We’re going on a Koala hunt . . .

Koalas are like the Australian version of a teddy bear. With large fluffy ears and matte black noses, you can now see these iconic creatures up close when visiting Caversham Wildlife Park. The park introduced koala holds in March last year and since then, resident koalas have grown to about 60 in number, with the majority born on-site. “Breeding programs within parks like Caversham are important for ensuring the long-term protection of endangered wildlife,” says park manager, Debbie Thorne-Morley. “These days, the wild can be an unsafe place for koalas, mainly due to habitat destruction and loss caused by development and bushfire, vehicle strike and dog attack.” Each koala at Caversham has its own personality, Debbie says, which keeps the team on their toes – but she’s not complaining. “It’s the best job in the world and we feel incredibly grateful to work with one of this country’s greatest icons. “We also feel privileged to experience the joy we see when a visitor has a close encounter with one of our koalas. It often reduces them to (happy) tears and for

NATURAL WONDERS Resident woma python ‘Mango’, featured with Gane Doyle (top), and Whiteman Park (bottom) are some of the many attractions out in the Valley.

Nature in all its glory

some people, it is literally a once-in-alifetime experience.” Debbie hopes that through interactive experiences with animals, like that offered at Caversham Wildlife Park, visitors will develop a deeper respect for the species, igniting a passion for conservation. cavershamwildlife.com.au

Wild at heart

Gane Doyle, owner of the West Australian Reptile Park, is another Swan Valley local business owner with a fierce passion for conservation.

He first became interested in reptiles when his family moved to Dianella and back then, the bushland was his backyard.

Despite being told bobtails would give you a nasty bite, Gane eventually plucked up the courage to pick one up by the back of the neck, after being advised by his schoolteacher on the best approach, and it was all on from there.

Today, he shares his love of reptiles through his park located along Henry Street, off West Swan Road.

“Our main thing is to teach people about reptiles and inspire conservation through education,” says Gane.

“We often get repeat visitors and a particular favourite for people is a woma python called Mango, for his yellow colours.”

With a diverse representation of Australian wildlife, the park also features dingos, crocodiles and wedge-tailed eagles, but Gane’s personal favourite animal is the resident tiger snake. wareptilepark.com.au

If you’re looking to take your chances with spotting native flora and fauna in the wild, Bells Rapid Park is a scenic spot to explore or enjoy a picnic.

Embark on one of two Bells Rapid circuit walk trails – the 2.5km River Walk or the 3km Goat Walk – and explore the streams and waterfalls along the river.

Depending on the time of year, along the way you might just spot the hopping grey kangaroos, quendas or some of the many native birds, including the rare black cockatoo.

With a walk bridge spanning the Swan River over white water rapids, it’s a fantastic vantage point to witness the annual Avon Descent. swanvalley.com.au