Swan River Walk..., Perth

One of the most wonderful things to do in Perth (and one of the cheapest) is to rent a bike and explore the superb network of cycle paths.

The cycle path network is extensive, and I confess that I only got to explore the riverside and Kings Park sections during the four years that I lived in Perth. These were an absolute delight, and cycling is a wonderful way to explore the nicest aspect of this lovely and underrated city. I now live in Johannesburg and regularly bemoan the complete absence of bike-friendly infrastructure.

One of the most rewarding aspects of cycling in Perth (at least for the unfit and lazy) is that provided you stick to the foreshore, the route is pretty well flat, and you can rack up impressive mileage for relatively little effort - unless you end up cycling into the teeth of the Fremantle Doctor!

Helmets are compulsory (these are hired with the bike) and I would strongly suggest packing a pair of cycling shorts in your luggage to avoid saddle sores! Most Australian cities are pretty bike-friendly, so if you're planning to visit more than one centre, chances are that you'll want to hire a bike there too (I also cycled in Adelaide down the Torrence River from the CBD to the coast, which was fantastic)! Also take water with you and be liberal with the sunscreen, as the breeze off the water can lull you into a sense of false security, so that you run the risk of ending up medium rare!

A last word of advice: bear in mind that this shouldn't be a race (unless you've specifically entered one). There is so much to see on the river, from the wonderful bird life to the dolphins which venture as far up the Swan estuary as the CBD and Applecross and the boating activity on the water, so take your time and enjoy your surroundings!

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A pleasant way to spend a few hours is to walk from the Narrows Bridge for several kilometers eastward along the Swan River foreshore with the beautiful homes of South Perth on your right and the river and Perth City to the left. As you walk past the Mends Street Jetty the Esplanade parklands begin to expand and a few hundred metres further on you come to the expances of James Mitchell Park. This is a very popular place on weekends, many families use the park for picnics and BBQs, kicking a football, cyclists use the riverside cycle tracks , sail boat hire etc etc. There is a very popular coffeehouse situated along the way where you can obtain refreshments and enjoy the view.

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The first thing we had organised for when Sue arrived in Perth was a dinner cruise on the Swan River. Magnificently organised by Aussirose, was an excellent night and a great time had by all. Thanks Ann :-)

Showed Sue around the city before hand and got some great pics then met up for pre-cruise drinks at the Lucky Shag at Barrack Street Jetty. Got to meet great VTers Tina, Gwynneth and Stuart (hey guys :-).

At 7.15 we boarded the boat with Ann & Howie and had a wonderful experience dining and cruising the Swan River on a cool Friday night. The food was excellent and so was the company. We had a seafood entre followed by a buffet main course, sweets and a sing-a-long with the talented crew on the way back.

A beautiful walk located in Mosman Park in southern Perth, Garungup Park was developed for the residents of Mosman Park to walk and enjoy the river.

With its main entrances located behind Tom Perrot Reserve Park, you have a choice between two paths. One leading south/west down the river towards North Fremantle, and the other heading north/east towards Bicton.

Along both walks you are treated with beautiful views of the Swan River as it works its way along the shoreline. The park is equipped with park benches, barbie facilities, public restrooms, beautiful gazebos, and a few spots of wide open spaces to maybe kick the ball around, or to unleash the dog.

A great place to just relax and check out the sites, or maybe get some fresh air and exercise.

For more about the walk, and the sights to be seen, check out the following link to one of my travelogues. Mosman Park Swan River Walk/Garungup

Take a ferry cross the Swan to South Perth and then stroll along the river`and cross some kind of parks there, til you eventually come to the Burswood International Resort and casino. There you have various possibilities to eat and drink and have a rest.
The way back you have to cross a bridge to get to the CBD. The hole action will take you maybe between 3 or 4 hours, depending of your break.
Nice views are guaranteed!

The paddle steamer Decoy sits on the Swan River in South Perth. On Sundays there is a Riverboat Jazz Cruise from 2.00pm – 5.00pm with a live band. There are other special cruises such as the New Years Eve Cruise and the Lotto Skyworks Cruise.

The Decoy was originally built in Scotland in 1878 in pieces so that it could be transported to Australia in crates and then reassembled. She then sailed for the Yarra River where she began her working life as a tow boat for barges in 1879. Between 1902 and 1905 she was used in the South Australian gulf ports for towing wheat barges. She was then bought and then steamed her way to Fremantle carrying 90 miners who were bound for the Australian goldfields. The boat was then altered to add a second deck to carry passengers for excursions up and down the river. She returned to the Murray River in 1909 and operated there until 1932

its seasonal mainly around the hotter parts of the year make your way to south perth either by the freeway or along mill point road.The guy normally sets up underneath the freeway overpass around 10am.make a bit more fun out of it ride a bike around the swan and meet there its not that expensive 15bucks or so but if there are two people he will give you a ripper blast along the swan on the back of a tyre tube

The Swan River plays a huge part of Perth lifestyle and it is used for numerouse activities especially family picnics. This picture is taken around Pt Walter and has everyhting a family may need for a successful day out. There are plenty of barbecues access to the river for the kids and coffee shops when you need that coffee.