Rockingham Things to Do

4 more images

There is a smooth, wide, concrete cycle/footpath running along the coast from just north of Rockinghma Beach, south to Port Kennedy. It doesn't go around Point Peron but cuts acoss the isthmus and carries on around the bays on the other side.
Most of it is flat and suitable for wheel chairs/pushchairs but some places through the dunes are hilly.

Spaced along it at regular interals are BBQ ares with shaded gazebos over picnic benches and free electric BBQ's, toillets, showers, drinking fountains, and children's play areas.

Parts go through the dunes (native bush) and there are many places with stunning views. Please stay on the paths in the places where the dunes have been revegatated and fenced off, dogs should be kept on a lead.
You are likely to see some of wildlife; all sorts of birds including hawks, pelicans, cormorants and other seabirds, small reptiles such as gheckos and other lizards, and often dolphins in the bay.

It passes the Naval Memorial Park, Rockingham Beach, Palm Beach jetty, Rotory Park, the ferry to Pengiun Island, the causeway over to Garden Island (Naval Base, not open to the public), Trent Island and much more.
There are cafes/restaurants along the way.

The last beach at Port Kennedy is a nudist beach.

UPDATE 2009-The whole area has been upgraded over the past few years.

4 more images

Lake Richmond is stunningly beautiful, calm and tranquil.
The 1,000m x 600m lake and it’s surrounds make up a 40 hectare environmentally protected area, home to much native flora and fauna.
The day the photo was taken we many heard many types of frogs calling; banjo frogs, clicking frogs, slender green tree frogs and others I don’t recognise. We saw pelicans diving for fish, cormorants and wading birds.
The Anne Mueller environmental walk surrounds the lake and includes boardwalks going out across the wetlands into the lake.
There is picnic area at one end of the lake with shaded tables/benches and free electric BBQ's. Naragebup environmental centre is situated just across the road; here you will find explanations of rare structures called Thrombolites (fossilised remains of ancient living creatures) which are also in this area.
At the opposite end of the lake to Naragebup is a large steel viewing tower offering stunning views across the lake.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PROTECT THIS AREA
Much work has been done on native replanting of the bushland around the lake, (You can see the plastic rabbit shields around the new plants in the photo) it is fragile and easily destroyed by people walking on it, stick to the paths and boardwalks.

WARNING
Another reason for staying on the paths and boardwalks is TIGER SNAKES. Tiger snakes are seriously poisonous, but not likely to cause problems if you don't disturb them. Look where you're going and stay on the boardwalks and paths even in the summer when the wetlands area is dry enough to walk on.

1 more image

This is popular spot for fishing, especially summer evenings (photo taken winter lunchtime).

The deli at the end of the jetty sells take away food and drinks, ice cream, bait and fishing essentials etc.
I've been told that the scriptwriter for the TV program Neighbours worked here as a teenager and modelled the deli in Neighbours on it.

Brave (older) children do '"bombies" jumping into the water from the jetty railings.

UPDATE-unfortunately the deli no longer exists

4 more images

Rotary park is a nature reserve and picnic area with picnic benches under gazebos and free electric BBQ's.
It is designed so that you can see the birds with wooden walkways going out over the lake.
Many native birds can be seen here including pacific black ducks, eurasian coot, purple breasted swamp hens, little pied cormorants, black winged stilt and white faced heron.

Update 2009-the photos here were taken several years ago when the park had just been upgraded and is still rather bare. Now the vegetation is all fully grown and looks more natural.

I can't think of anything better than to share my home town with a group of Vt'ers. Lesley (Purpleshade) had organised a xmas meet at the rockingham foreshore, as her daughter Drom was visiting from Paris for Xmas.
The weather didn't like us that day and decided to open the heaven's. So Lesley, the lovely lady that she is took us all back to her house where we had our lunch. ( & of course what would a Perth VT meet be without the wine? loads of chatting & photo taking took place.
Thank you Lesley for a lovely day.

Rockingham beach is very pretty and definately worth a visit. Rockingham is about 40 minutes car journey south of Perth along the highway.

Now we have a new train line that will take you to Rockingham with a bus connection to take you right there.

2 more images

The MusselFest was a little on the small side and it didn't take us long to complete our visit there. Sensing that our afternoon was going end all too soon Lesley Purpleshade and her husband Jethro invited the four of us to their home! What a fantastic afternoon we had sharing together. Tina had bought the champers Lesley had the cheese and crackers and we all relaxed in their beautiful poolside-garden.

4 more images

This park does not appear to have a name.
It's a lovely park, with a large lake that takes about 10 mins to walk all the way around.
There's a new picnic area with tables, shade, and free electric BBQ's and large playground for small children.
Seagulls will steal your BBQ if you move awy while it's cooking!
Many different types of ducks and waterbirds live on the lake. Some of them are quite tame and will come and beg for your picnic and can be hand fed.