Wetlands Walk Trail

Starting from the Lakeview car park off Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep, this walk takes you on a circuit around Loch McNess via the Wetlands Walk Trail. This beautiful, short and easy walk weaves its way around Loch McNess, one of Perth's most important coastal wetlands. The path provides exceptional views of the wetlands as you meander along the banks of the lake. The birdlife in the area is incredible, and the park is a bird watcher's delight. The understorey consists of bracken ferns, whilst the overstorey is mostly adult Jarrahs and Tuarts. Take your time and experience the soothing ambience of the place, both visually and audibly. The yanget (bullrushes) you may come across was once used for food by the Noongar people. The gravelly limestone trail is flat and well signposted, with short sections of loose sand. After finishing the loop, it's only a short walk to Chocolate Drops for a coffee or the Yanchep Inn for a refreshing ale or lunch. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks

Tips on staying safe on track

Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Transport options and directions

Start	(-31.5474978,115.6838257)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Indian Ocean Drive, 60 Turn on to Yanchep National Park then drive for 900 m At roundabout, take exit 1 and drive for another 45 m Turn right and drive for another 130 m

Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Lakeview carpark off Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep, head down the paved walkway for about 100m, passing an orange 'Tour Bookings', etc. sign (on the right). From the double-storied McNess House Visitors Centre, head towards the lake for about 100m along the sealed path directly in front of the house. Turn left onto the paved walkway just before a couple of park benches, and continue ahead for about 150m until you reach a 'Wetlands Walk Trail' sign. Follow the trail ahead, keeping Loch McNess to your right, and continue the Wetlands Walk Trail(clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the toilet at the start. After another 100 m find the "McNess House Visitor Centre" (20 m on your right). McNess House Visitor Centre McNess House Visitor Centre You can book a park tour from here and buy some souvenirs to remember the trip by. This place was once (late 1800s) a stone hut but then converted into a hostel. Since 1997, this place serves as a visitor centre. + - You can book a park tour from here and buy some souvenirs to remember the trip by. This place was once (late 1800s) a stone hut but then converted into a hostel. Since 1997, this place serves as a visitor centre. After another 10 m pass the cafe (60 m on your right).
	Turn left.
	After another 65 m turn left. After another 65 m find the "Loch McNess" (50 m on your right). Loch McNess Loch McNess Loch McNess is a freshwater lake located near Yanchep. It is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, a chain of wetlands, swamps and lakes that occur on the Swan Coastal Plain. Originally known as Yanchep Lake, the lake was renamed Loch McNess in 1935 in honour of Sir Charles McNess's contribution to the development of Yanchep Reserve. The Nyoongar people call this lake "Wagardu Lark". + - Loch McNess is a freshwater lake located near Yanchep. It is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, a chain of wetlands, swamps and lakes that occur on the Swan Coastal Plain. Originally known as Yanchep Lake, the lake was renamed Loch McNess in 1935 in honour of Sir Charles McNess's contribution to the development of Yanchep Reserve. The Nyoongar people call this lake "Wagardu Lark". After another 170 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right). After another 15 m continue straight.
	After another 1 km veer right. After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long) After another 510 m cross the bridge (about 60 m long)
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to the north of Yanchep Inn. Details below. After another 20 m turn right. After another 80 m pass the toilet (5 m on your left).
	After another 140 m continue straight. After another 40 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
	After another 70 m turn left.
	After another 65 m turn right. After another 7 m pass the "McNess House Visitors Centre" (7 m on your left).
	After another 110 m come to the end.

An alternate access point from/to the north of Yanchep Inn.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. About 65 m past the end is a toilet.
	The end.

Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Wetlands Walk Trail

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	2.7 km
Time	30 min to 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 550 m apart with the largest gap of 2.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	10 m	[toilet]
Toilet	2.1 km + 40 m	[toilet]
Toilet	2.2 km	[toilet]
Toilet	2.4 km	[toilet]

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