Walking Around Lake Joondalup, Yellagonga Regional Park

Spoiler Alert!! This is definitely the best view of the water I will encounter all trip. For a lake walk I hardly see any water at all. Today's walk is definitely more of a vegetation and wildlife walk.

Just north of Neil Hawkins Park is a lookout which could possibly provide some good water views. Unfortunately, the majority of the water views are hindered by the bush canopy.

The walk along the north-western side of Lake Joondalup is well serviced by perfect paths bordered on each side by dense grass and a variety of local flora. There isn't really anything that exciting along here, no water views, but a least it is extremely quiet. The only people around are a few joggers and a couple of dog walkers. Everyone must be getting ready for a big day at the Joondalup Festival.

At the northern tip of Lake Joondalup the path deviates well away from the lake bank and I find myself walking past a retirement village, the Wanneroo Botanical Gardens (which has mini golf!) and a home improvement store. Resisting the urge to test my putting skills or improve the house I don't own I continue on along the path which now hugs the busy Wanneroo Road.

The path finally heads west away from Wanneroo Road at a pine plantation within Calm Reserve. Not sure why it is called Calm Reserve, I can still hear the traffic from Wanneroo Road. The pine plantation of Calm Reserve is definitely not the most inspiring of places but I do like the symmetry.

A surprise hopped into the plantation part of the walk with a mob of kangaroos resting amongst the perfectly aligned pines. Why kangaroos would venture into a pine plantation I don't know. There is absolutely no grass to eat due to the thick covering of pine needles, so it can't be for food. Maybe the cushioning of a pine needle mattress and the shade of the towering pines makes for a great weekend morning sleep-in.

After the pines the path through Calm Reserve does venture through natural bushland settings before linking to the grassed parklands of Banyandah Park. South of Banyandah Park the path follows Scenic Drive, with the suburbs to the east and large grassed parklands to the west. This stretch takes in Lake Joondalup Park, Rotary Park and Scenic Drive Park, which according to the signs are home to snakes. This is snake country!

Despite the warnings I do venture off the path into the grass fields of Lake Joondalup Park in the hope of actually seeing Lake Joondalup. As you can see the views are not that great and there are even more snake warning signs.

With that disappointment I backtrack to the main path next to Scenic Drive and continue south. Despite the name, Scenic Drive isn't really that scenic, unless you like grassed fields and suburbia. The path finally deviates off Scenic Drive at Poinciana Place before reaching two ponds within the bushland near James Spiers Drive. Despite this being a lake walk, this is the closest I have been to water in quite a while.

Right next to the ponds is this large two-story lookout.

As you may have guessed, there are no water views from the lookout tower but vast areas of lush grasslands. I dare say when Lake Joondalup is full this spot is a hive of activity for local wildlife, especially waterfowl. Definitely not popular today, but well worth a look even at this dry time of year.

Shortly after the two-storey lookout the path ventures quickly into the suburbs and then west between the southern tip of Lake Joondalup and the busy Ocean Reef Road. The surroundings of the path along Ocean Reef Road are not the best, but I did find some kangaroos feeding on the emerald green grasses sucking the final skerricks of water from the lake bed.

The path departs Ocean Reef Road and heads north along the natural bushland of Lake Joondalup. The walk along the western edge of Lake Joondalup is much more enjoyable as the path is right amongst the bushland.

Picnic Cove Park is the only break within the bushland walk on the south-western edge of Lake Joondalup and is the closest I have been to the waters of Lake Joondalup since I started at the small jetty off Neil Hawkins Park (which I will soon be back at!).

Between Picnic Cove Park and my final destination of Neil Hawkins Park the bushland had been recently menaced by fire. The lack of foliage didn't deter the local birdlife, who seemed very happy to scrounge around the ashes. What are they looking for though? Roasted nuts and seeds?

Soon enough I am back at Neil Hawkins Park where I started my trek around Lake Joondalup. This morning Neil Hawkins Park was quiet, but is now coming to life with family picnics and children's birthday parties. I forgot to bring my picnic basket and rug, so instead it's time for me to make my way back through the Joondalup festival to the train station and then home.

In summary, don't expect water views on a walk around Lake Joondalup, especially after a long dry summer. Also, the western side of the Lake Joondalup is definitely the best as the path is within natural settings, unlike the suburban roads and mown grassed parkland on the eastern side. The eastern side did have kangaroos though. All up, an enjoyable morning walk.