Walk by the Waters: Herdsman Lake North

Herdsman Lake

Herdsman Lake is a 15-minute drive from the Perth CBD.  The lake is roughly circular and is encompassed by Herdsman Lake Regional Park.  Herdsman Lake and Herdsman Lake Regional Park have a total area of approximately 4 km².  They are surrounded by the suburbs of Woodlands, Churchlands, Glendalough, and Osborne Park, and are popular among the residents for leisure activities such as picnics, birdwatching, cycling, hiking, walking, and jogging.

Herdsman Lake consists of 4 outer permanent water bodies surrounding the inner wetland, which is the central conservation area.  The 4 outer water bodies are Popeye Lake in the north, then in the clockwise direction followed by the elongated Powis Lake in the east stretching to the south, and then Floreat Waters in the southwest, and Floreat Lakes in the east. 

The wetland is the largest wetland within Perth’s inner metropolitan region.  In the dry summer months, the wetland may be mostly dry.

With its vast conservation area, Herdsman Lake is an important wildlife refuge close to Perth city centre understood to be the habitat of more than 100 bird species.

There are signs warning visitors to watch out for and stay clear of snakes.

Herdsman Lake Regional Park 

Herdsman Lake Regional Park has well-maintained open parklands with extensive sealed shared walking/cycling paths that encompass Herdsman Lake’s 4 permanent water bodies – Popeye Lake, Powis Lake, Floreat Waters, and Floreat Lakes – and the inner wetland. 

For visitors who want to be really close to the water to enjoy the scenic views of the water, they can take the sandy walking trails located just next to the 4 water bodies.

There is no walking trail to access the inner wetland which is the central conservation area.

The Walk – Herdsman Lake North, Popeye Lake

For an easy and short walk, try the sandy walking trails around Popeye Lake in the northern part of Herdsman Lake. 

Herdsman Lake Regional Park car park is a convenient starting point if you drive. 

Start from Herdsman Lake Regional Park car park in the anti-clockwise direction and follow the sandy walking trails around Popeye Lake you will get to the lookout in the centre of Popeye Lake.  Stop and take a seat at the lookout to enjoy the scenic views of the lake and the Perth city skyline from afar before heading back the same route.

The one-way distance from Herdsman Lake Regional Park car park to Popeye Lake lookout is about 1 km. 

Floreat Lakes

Feeling energetic and want to continue walking?  You may continue to walk from the Popeye Lake lookout in the southern direction on sandy walking trails around the nearby Floreat Lakes.  The round Floreat Lakes distance is about 2 km.

At Floreat Lakes, you get to see the 3.7 m tall bronze sculpture that was the work of renowned sculptor Pietro Porcelli.  The statue, on a small island within Floreat Lakes, was relocated here from the rooftop of the AMP Chambers building when the building was demolished in 1972.  The AMP Chambers building was replaced by AMP Tower, completed in 1975.

Still feeling energetic?  You may continue to walk to Herdsman Lake Settler’s Cottage, a further approximately 1 km away from Floreat Lakes.  The Settler’s Cottage is now an art studio.

Want to discover more great walking locations around Perth?  Check out the “By the Waters” blogs.