Native flowers and trees seasonally transform the landscape with a display of colour ensured no matter what the season, allowing you to enjoy our bush walks any day of the year.
Three interpretive bushwalk trails are available for enjoyment of the whole family at Whiteman Park.
Taking the time to explore these walks gives you an excellent opportunity to get out and see the wildlife of the region up close.
Each bush trail encompasses a different and valuable facet of the wonders of the bushland, and all are well sign posted.
To optimise your bushwalking experience, a series of interpretive notes which detail the highlights of each trail are available free of charge at the Visitor Information Centre.
The Goo Loorto Trail (Red Poles)
(Goo Loorto means 'type of eucalypt' in the local Aboriginal language, Noongar)
This trail is a leisurely 3km return trip, starting at car park 16 in the Mussel Pool picnic area.
The trail follows Bennett Brook through partially cleared cattle-grazing farmland, and meanders under groves of flooded gums (Eucalyptus rudis) on the banks of the Brook.
From August to September, walkers will enjoy the display of golden wreath wattles (Acacia saligna) which are located in groves close to the track.
This trail is excellent from winter to spring, when the water is flowing and the chorus of frogs can be heard; while in summertime it is ideal for wandering in the dappled shade along the drying water course, inhaling the scent of the gum trees overhead.
The Werillyiup Trail (Blue Poles)
(Werillyiup means 'swampy place' in Noongar)
This is a 2.5km loop, starting at car park 15 (near the Dog Park) in Mussel Pool.
This walk encompasses Horse Swamp, a seasonal and spectacular wetland, which is alive with the waterbirds that breed there from July to October, when water levels are their highest.
Wearing appropriate footwear during the damper seasons will ensure walkers maximise their wetland experience in comfort.
A bird hide on the western edge of the Swamp allows an outstanding view of the antics of the wetland birds and is also an ideal spot to see kangaroos grazing on the swamp fringes in the morning and late afternoon.
A lookout half way around provides an aerial perspective of the wetland and an appreciation of the size and significance of the site for the resident wildlife.
The Wununga Trail (Yellow/Orange Poles)
(Wunanga means 'quiet’ or ‘peaceful' in Noongar)
This is a 4.3km long trail, set in a figure-of-eight design to allow walkers an abbreviated version should they be time-limited.
It commences adjacent to the Village Junction Railway Station and winds its way through a number of vegetation types, allowing walkers to experience the amazing diversity that the Park’s woodland has to offer. This includes jarrah, marri and banksia coastal plain bushland.
The understorey is alive with flowering shrubs throughout the year, although in the cooler spring months, eagle eyed walkers can enjoy trigger plants and orchids in an array of colours and forms.
