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Dwerta Mia Walk Trail, Yanchep NP

Whadjuk & Yued Noongar Country

Part of Yanchep National Park network

Trail difficulty
Trail difficulty
  • Length 2.1km
  • Est. time Less than 1 hour
  • Return
Today

17°C

18°

14°

Part of Yanchep National Park network

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The trail is one of the many walk trails located within Yanchep National Park, north of Perth.

A visit to Yanchep National Park is a great family outing providing a unique experience of Australia's natural beauty within a thoughtfully programmed and managed environment.  It is one of the shortest walks that offers a perfect introduction of nature to your youngsters, and with its flat 500m disabled access circuit that can be accessed from Boomerang Gorge carpark it is just right for everyone that wants to be out and about. The best season to visit Yanchep NP is during the Autumn, Winter and Spring months.

'Dwerta Mia' is an aboriginal expression for 'the house of the wild dog'.  History states that this place was not entered by Aboriginals guiding early European explorers as they believed that the place was not only inhabited by dingos (i.e. wild dogs) but also by evil spirits.  The walk can be entered from the Boomerang Gorge (which is also a great picnicking spot) where you walk between impressive cliff formations and amazing greenery, where you can meander through the collapsed cave system. The trail marker is also a boomerang. The Dwerta Mia walk trail enters into the Caves walk trail at the end. 

Even though the trail itself is well signposted once you are on it, please make sure you pick up a map for the National Park at the entry station as there are many trails in this area and it might be difficult to locate the start and endpoints of trails.  

McNess House Visitor Centre

(08) 9303 7759

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Flora and Fauna Statistics

260+
Bird species
800+
Flowering plant species
40+
Reptile species

Yanchep National Park features a rich mix of coastal woodlands, pristine wetlands, and limestone cave ecosystems that protect a high diversity of native West Australian wildlife and seasonal wildflowers. Located on the northern Swan Coastal Plain, its distinct landscapes support everything from nomadic bird populations to ancient plant communities. 

The northern and western ends of the Park retain major conservation value and show a range of landscape forms, from tall tuart forests, jarrah and marri forest, lush wetland vegetation surrounded by coastal paperbarks, banksia woodlands and kwongan heath. Distinctive native plants like Balgas (grass trees) and Zamia palms form a core part of the park's ancient understory. Wildflowers are prolific in Spring (August to October), where the forest floor blooms with vibrant native flora, including the iconic red and green Kangaroo Paw (WA's floral emblem), Yanchep rose, wattles and native orchids.

Easy to find, large mobs of Western Grey Kangaroos graze openly on the lawns and golf fairways early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The bushland protects the more shy native species including echidnas, western brush wallabies, and quendas. Over 260 bird species inhabit the park, making it a hotspot for birdwatching. Grebes, swans, pelicans, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, parrots, wrens and honeyeaters can be found throughout the woodlands and wetlands. Lesser Long-eared and Southern Forest Bats mainly roost in tree hollows, thick vegetation, and small rock crevice. Interestingly, a koala colony was established in the 1930s,  and whilst they are not native to Western Australia, they thrive safely within this managed habitat.



Keep an eye out for these species:

White-faced Heron

Egretta novaehollandiae

Animalia: Aves

Northern Snake-necked Turtle

Chelodina (Macrochelodina) oblonga

Animalia: Reptilia

Moaning Frog

Heleioporus eyrei

Animalia: Amphibia

Yanchep Rose

Diplolaena angustifolia

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Grasstree

Xanthorrhoea preissii

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Tuart

Eucalyptus gomphocephala

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Zamia

Macrozamia fraseri

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Blue Skimmer

Orthetrum caledonicum

Animalia: Insecta

Be trail ready

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

Time / Duration

45 minutes

Length

2.1 kilometre return

Fees

National Park fees apply

Trail Access

Road 2WD

Trail Start

Dwerta Mia Trail can be accessed from McNess House Visitor Centre or Boomerang Gorge for a shorter walk, in Yanchep National Park

Get directions

Trail End

When to go

Wildflower Season is between September - November

What’s the weather like?

Bush Walk

Class 1

All abilities access, flat, even, hardened surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required.

What To Pack

Hazards & Warnings

Please be mindful of visitor risk warnings when visiting the park:

Check the Park Alerts website.

Prohibited items

Dogs are not permitted

Facilities

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Cafe
  • Car Park
  • Child Activities
  • Coach Parking
  • Kiosk
  • Lookouts
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area
  • Visitor Information Centre

Trail Accessibility

Includes a flat 500m disabled access circuit that can be accessed from Boomerang Gorge carpark.

  • All accessible parking
  • All accessible toilet facilities

Today Jun 10, 1:49pm

17°C

Feels like 17°C

Max 18°

Min 14°

Precipitation: 50%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 6.32km/h N

Weather data provided by:

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1 trail goers have rated this trail as 3 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.

Chelle Fisher

Reviewed 11 Sep 2022, 5:15pm

One of the first walks I ever did in Yanchep and actually use to run the history walks here when I was doing my practical work studying to be a tour guide. Another great little family friendly trail

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