Lower Swan River Drive
This drive takes in the older suburbs of Perth on and around the Swan River between Perth and Fremantle; the surf beaches of Leighton and Cottesloe; the city of Fremantle; Kings Park and its attractions; a number of lookouts around the suburbs which offers views of the Swan River, the cities of Perth and Fremantle and surrounding suburban areas.
Distance: 80 km
Memorial to Dutch explorer Williem Vlamingh on the Burswood foreshore
Drive east along Adelaide Terrace, cross The Causeway and take Gt Eastern Highway. Take the first exit left to Burswood complex. The waterfront park has to a memorial to Dutchman Willem Vlamingh, the first European to visit the area in 1696. The lakes and fountains in front of the casino complex facing the highway honour Western Australia's pioneers.
Return to Gt Eastern Hwy, turning right. Proceed into Canning Hwy towards Fremantle. At South Perth, turn right into Heppingstone Way Rd, then left into Mill Point Rd. Excellent views of the Perth city skyline from Sir James Mitchell Park. Perth Zoo is on the left.
Swan River and Perty city skyline from Wireless Hill
Continue to the end of Mill Point Road, turning left onto the Kwinana Freeway towards Fremantle. Exit the freeway at Canning Bridge, following the signs to Fremantle via Canning Hwy. After 2.5 km, turn left into Cunningham St, left into McCallum Crescent and enter Wireless Hill Park. The two lookouts offers views the the city and across the Swan and Canning Rivers.
One of Australia's first Telecommunications Stations was built here in 1912. The original radio station building now houses a Telecommunications Museum. Wireless Hill contains one of the last remaining pockets of suburban bushland on the river's south side and has many fine examples of wildflowers in season, and grass trees.
Return to Canning Hwy, turn left there right after 1 km into Hislop Rd. Follow the road left around the Lucky Bay foreshore and along Burke Drive to Point Walter.
Point Walter spit
A popular picnic spot for locals, Point Walter has a long sand spit that can be walked on into the middle of the river at low tide. The buildings behind Point Walter were built a World War II military camp. In the 1950s, the camp was converted into a migrant hostel through which thousands of post-World War II immigrants from Europe entered Australia.
From Point Walter, proceed south along Road of Honour, turning right into Kent Rd then left into Blackall Reach Parade for a short drive alongside the narrowest section of the lower Swan River. There is a walking track between Point Walter and the swmming pool at Bicton Quarantine Park which follows the cliffs of Blackwall Reach. A number of lookouts along the way give access to this picturesque stretch of river.
The cliffs of Blackwall Reach
At the end of Blackall Reach Parade, turn left into Braunton St, right into Malmsbury St, right into Preston Point Rd, right into Petra Street and left into Jerrat Drive. Follow it into Riverside Drive and continue into Fremantle. Find somewhere to park, preferably for a few hours as there is plenty to see and do in Fremantle.
Leave Fremantle travelling east along High Street, turning right at the War Memorial at the top of Monument Hill for views of Fremantle. Return to High Street, turning right aeway from Fremantle. Turn left into Stirling Hwy and continue until you cross the Swan River. Continue north along Stirling Hwy.
As you approach Mosman Park, you will see a bush-covered hill on the right. Enter Buckland Hill Park for views of the region from a World War II military lookout and gun post that was known as the Leighton Battery. Near the lookout platform and runs are two tunnel entrances which are only open during guided tours days. Tours are conducted by the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society on the first Sunday of every month.
Cottesloe from Buckland Hill
Located in the tunnels are rooms including a kitchen as well as a partially underground command post, artillery storage and radar room. Willem de Vlamingh, the early Dutch navigator, landed close by in 1697 and is thought to have climbed Buckland Hill to ascertain what lay beyond it and in doing so noted the Swan River, which he named.
Return to Stirling Highway, crossing the railway at Victoria Road. Turn left into Curtin Avenue, then immediately right into Marine Parade. A short distance ahead is Cottesloe Beach, one of Perth's finest and a great place for lunch, morning or afternoon tea.
Travel north to Eric Street, turning right into it. Cross Stirling Highway into Osborne Parade, then turn right at Bindaring Parade. Proceed to The Esplanade and park alongside the river at Peppermint Grove. This is a lovely spot for a picnic and short bushwalk. The pathway north follows Freshwater Bay and has some good vantage points.
Freshwater Bay, Peppermint Grove
Return to Stirling Hwy, turning right into it. Travel a short distance north before turning right into Bayview Terrace, Claremont. Turn right into Victoria Avenue and follow the river through Dalkeith into Jutland Parade and Birdwood Esplanade. At Nedlands Baths, turn left then right into The Avenue and Hackett Drive, following Matilda Bay past the University of WA campus. Turn left into Mounts Bay Road then immediately right into Winthrop Avenue, then immediately right again into Kings Park. At the first intersection, veer left into May Drive.
Wildflower display in the Western Australian Botanic Gardens, Kings Park
May Drive is the northern section of a loop road which encircles Kings Park. There are plenty of stopping places along the way, such as the Children's Nature Playground on the right. At the business end of the park, the road splits at the first roundabout. The left branch leads to Kings Park's Fraser Avenue entrance in West Perth. It is also the entry point to the main car park that services the restaurant and cafe, war memorial, lookouts with views of Perth Water and the city skyline, and the park's floral clock.
DNA Tower, Kings Park
If you go straight on at the roundabout, you immediately come upon another roundabout. Here the options are to enter the Western Australian Botanic Gardens car park, proceed back through the centre of the Park on Lovekin Road, or complete the loop on Forrest Avenue. The latter leads to the DNA Tower and Pioneer Women's Memorial and gardens. Exit the park at Winthrop Avenue, turning left then left again into Mounts Bay Road. Follow the Swan River shoreline back in to the city centre.
