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Canning River Wetlands, Cannington

Paddle inPerth & Surrounds

  • 1-3 hours
  • 8 km

An interesting 8km return paddle exploring a birdlife sanctuary on the upper Canning River. Narrow waterways and dead ends, mud banks, fish and, of course, all sorts of birds.

This kayak trail offers a sheltered and narrow tree-lined river with exceptional bird watching.
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Trail Start

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Wilson Park, Kent St, Cannington which is 15km (20 mins) from Perth.

Trail End

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Riverton Bridge

What does this mean?
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cafe

tourist gardens and railway

Cafe
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Trails WA supports the seven principles recommended by Leave No Trace Australia for minimising your impacts when using the trails.

Learn more

Starting at the Kent Street Weir the trail heads downstream where you can explore as many side streams as you can float in. An information board at the launch ramp has the canoe trail map and inforrmation permenantly on display.

Castledare Minature Railway is on the river about 500m downstream from Kent Street. They operate a station from Kent St with the train running on the third Sunday of every month.

As marked, the distance one way to Riverton Bridge is about four kilometres.There are cafe's at the start and finish points.

Heading upstream from Riverton Bridge you will discover many dead-end channels and plenty of bird and fish life. A great spot to kayak or canoe.

City of Canning

9231 0655

Western Australian (Perth City) Visitor Centre

(08) 9483 1111

Other Links

Be trail ready for Canning River Wetlands, Cannington

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Up to half a day depending on how much you explore!

Length

8km return

What To Pack

Group F (Paddling trails) required.

Trail Start

Wilson Park, Kent St, Cannington which is 15km (20 mins) from Perth.

Get directions

Trail End

Riverton Bridge

Get directions

Hazards & Warnings

Occasionally, in summer, Algal Blooms occur and sections of the river may be closed.

Facilities

Cafe and kayak launch ramp at the start point.
  • BBQ Facilities
  • Cafe
  • Kiosk
  • Public Toilet
  • Toilet Facilities for Disabled

Best time of year

Anytime

Trail Access

Road 2WD

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4 trail goers have rated Canning River Wetlands, Cannington as 4.75 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Chris Marsh

Reviewed 26 Feb 2022, 11:52am

Great spot, easy access to the water, plenty of parking, toilets and a good cafe. Super calm water, lots of birdlfe and the absence of motor boats is so refreshing, just the sound of your paddle and the odd splash of a fish jumping and water bird calls. Loop trail to the little cafe between the bridges scenic and pretty effortless paddle. Watch out for knee deep mud at the cafe closest to Shelley Bridge!
Adam Dean

Reviewed 21 Aug 2017, 3:13pm

First-time kayaking without a group - perfect for beginners.

Such a calm, relaxing, and re-energising experience.
Zen Courier

Reviewed 22 Mar 2016, 5:14pm

Done this trail in various parts, not in one go. But one of my favourites. Serene and tranquil. Plenty of wildlife, pelicans, ducks, birds, waterhens etc. Not to mention Lo-Quay cafe, Kent St cafe or picnic spote. Great spot too for wildlife photography. (http://www.meetup.com/swankayakers/events/226644987/)
Kristin Reddin

Reviewed 9 Feb 2016, 1:09pm

I love this easy access canoe mostly because there are no motor craft in the river here and there are lots and lots of birds nesting along the banks in trees.
The car park is close to launch sites and well lit at night. There is a great cafe and the wonderful canning river eco education centre during the day.
It is about a 7 km round trip up to near the Shelley bridge where you can reward yourself at another cafe.

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