The Hidden Nature Walks Locals Love But Tourists Miss

Dawn breaks over Perth’s western suburbs and, just beyond the bustle of Mounts Bay Road, a macropod darts across a winding dirt track. While hundreds will descend on Kings Park’s paved Lotterywest Federation Walkway this Saturday, a cluster of regulars slip instead onto the Law Walk’s quieter bush loop – a trail largely overlooked by visitors hurrying to tick off the city’s main sights.

Those in the know say the best of Perth’s parks aren’t found on postcards or curated on glossy brochures at airport kiosks. As winter rains finally green the city, more locals are returning to the lesser-known sections of Perth’s parks, finding reprieve from the crowds and traffic – and discovering just how wild the city’s backyard can feel.

Local secrets: Bushland trails beyond the obvious

Take Bold Park, for example. Nestled between City Beach and Wembley Downs, this 435-hectare reserve sits just 8km from the CBD but has remained a leafy refuge for decades. The Zamia Trail, a 5.1km circuit snaking past tuart groves and lookouts with Swan Coastal Plain vistas, is rarely busy outside early mornings. "Fewer than 10% of our daily visitors are tourists," one Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority ranger told The Daily Perth last week, noting most out-of-towners stop at Reabold Hill’s summit carpark and never step into the encroaching bushland. For locals, though, the Banksia Walk – a 700m sandy detour – is the real draw in wildflower season.

Across the river, Booyeembara Park in White Gum Valley remains a suburb-sized surprise. Tucked off Stevens Street and hemmed by the Fremantle Technical College oval, Booyeembara’s undulating stretches and wetlands attract families, school groups, and off-hours joggers. Despite regular Saturday yoga and guided nature walks run by South Fremantle Community Centre, you’re more likely to encounter black cockatoos than a camera-toting visitor.

Numbers on the trail: Crowds thin off the main drags

Kings Park estimates up to five million visits a year, but rangers confirm that more than 60% stick to tarmac paths near Fraser Avenue and the State War Memorial. By contrast, sectors like the Lotterywest Bushland Trail (2.5km) and the Hidden Valley sections see just a fraction of foot traffic; trail counters installed last December show weekday numbers rarely reach 200 on the Law Walk, even on sunny days. The City of Subiaco’s 2026 parks report identified over 30km of connected natural trails threading through bushland blocks at Lake Jualbup, Shenton Park Dog Exercise Area, and the Underwood Avenue Bushland Reserve, but fewer than 15% of non-local respondents had heard of them.

Parking and access remain easy at most of these sites: Booyeembara offers no-fee public parking along Montreal Street, while Bold Park’s Perry Lakes Drive entry still has free spaces on weekdays. Dogs (on leads) are welcome in most areas, and signage has improved following a 2025 City of Perth grant – but digital navigation by AllTrails or Google Maps is recommended for first-timers, as many bush trails are unsigned and can double back unexpectedly.

For those looking to avoid the crowds and breathe the wild scent of jarrah or peppermint wood, now’s the time. With July’s cool, damp mornings and native orchids emerging, locals can rediscover Perth’s real outdoor gems before wildflower season fills car parks and coffee queues. Trail groups like Perth Bushwalkers, and local parkrun events at places like Sir James Mitchell Park and Lake Monger, offer safe introductions for the uninitiated. As always, walkers should plan routes, bring water, and consult local council websites for updates on track works or closures.