Fremantle Train Station to Esplanade Train Station

From Sorrell Park the path deviates away from the river and back into the suburbs. I get back to the river at a reserve near the Water Police Station. The path around this area is not very clear and thinking that I can follow the river I head past the Water Police Station. Unfortunately I found a dead end. Fortunately the dead end was a quite location with excellent water views. Those water police sure do have a good spot to work.

The path back into the suburbs is steep in some sections. At the end of Rule Street a dedicated foot path along the river is available. Brilliant path along here with great views of the river and set amongst native flora. The path passes through a number of parks which are perfect for a rest. I had a pit stop at Minim Cove Park where I found the public toilet of the future. It was the oddest public toilet I have encountered so far in Perth. Everything was automated. It felt like I was in the Discovery One spaceship from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and HAL, the sentient computer, was controlling everything. The toilet paper was even dispensed automatically! Even though I didn't need any toilet paper I had to press the button anyway. To clean my hands I had to place my hands under certain areas within the washing station: on the left soap was automatically dispensed; in the middle water automatically flowed and on the right hot air dried my hands. It is only a matter of time before toilets can automatically give you a shake and re-zip your pants after you have finished.

The path once again heads into the suburbs around the Mosman Golf Club and you do not see the river again until Bay View Park. Bay View Park was the perfect place to recharge the phone, eat some nuts are carrots sticks, and slap on some sunscreen while taking in the expansive views. It was a bit cloudy and windy, but still an enjoyable rest.

After a rest I continue along the path. The path follows the river with only a short diversion inland at the Royal Freshwater Yacht Club. Along the Esplanade in Peppermint Grove I deviated off the main path and followed a gravel path that hugs the foreshore. Along the gravel path are good views of the river on one side and close ups of the cliff face on the other side. Take advantage of this area as it is the last time you will see the river for a while. Back into the suburbs the path leads ... boring.

The river can be accessed at Ales Prior Park and Mrs Herberts Park in Claremont, but it is only a few minutes of walking before it is back onto the suburban path. Once I reached Bishop Road Reserve it is time to take a break again. The wind is howling so it is not the most enjoyable break but it is good to rest the legs and fill up on some nuts and water. After a short break it is off again. The foreshore appears accessible at Bishop Road Reserve and I am sick of walking along the road so I venture out onto the sand.

In hindsight I really should have stuck to the path in the suburbs. The wind is absolutely howling along the foreshore and I have a lot of trouble controlling my big straw hat. Sure it would be a really pleasant walk along here if the weather was better. As I walk along the strip of sand gets thinner and the rocks get closer to the shore. Surely this is not a dead end? The rocks get even closer to the shore and the waves from the river are crashing against them. I did not expect waves in a river, but from the size of the water craft speeding past I should have. The waves were probably only a foot tall, but that is a foot too tall when you are walking. Just when I thought I was on a path to nowhere I come across a boardwalk path heading inland to Point Resolution Reserve.

Despite all my previous complaining about having to walk along paths in the suburbs it was a relief to be away from the river and on a solid path that looked like going somewhere. Along Jutland Parade there are no great views of the river but there are some really spectacular art deco mansions. Off Jutland Parade is Iris Avenue where the Edward Bruce Foreshore Path begins. It is from this point that a dedicated path follows the river all the way to the Perth CBD. There are some slight detours but no chance of getting lost.

The Edward Bruce Foreshore Path is definitely the most pleasant section of the walk. It is quite, flat and provides good views of the river. The quietness abruptly changes once I reach Matilda Bay, which is full of families picnicking by the shore. Once the path hits Mounts Bay Road the four lanes of traffic make it even noisier, but the views onto the river are some of the best of the entire walk. Soon enough I reach the Narrows Bridge. Yes! Completed the final leg of Three Bridges Loop! With the satisfaction of my achievement I take in some CBD views as I slowly make my way to the train station. My legs are a bit sore, but that is to be expected after a 27km walk.

The train ride home was pleasant. No undesirables at all. Glad I did not walk the other way and have to deal with the Kwinana undesirables on the Fremantle to Rockingham bus. Would have ruined a perfectly good day.