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Woodloes Walk Trail, Canning River Park

Urban Walk

(+1)
Cycle
inPerth & Surrounds

  • 1-3 hours
  • 6 km
    • Bush Walk Grade 1

An historical multi-use trail from Kent St Weir, a weir built in 1927 to prevent salt water flowing upstream of the Canning River, along the river to Masons Landing, an area of land adjacent to the Canning River, significant for its use in the early pioneering days of the timber industry.

Popular picnic area and canoe launch area. Take the time to learn about the history of "The Landing" or Canning Landing as it was known and the early pioneers including the Mason & Bird Timber Company.
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Trail Start

Get directions

Kent Street Weir, Kent St Wilson. Canning River Regional Park is an easy 20 minute drive from the CBD.

Trail End

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Masons Landing Park, Marriamup St, Cannington

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Originally named Cannings Landing, Masons Landing was originally used as an access point for the timber cut by Benjamin Mason's Company. Cut in the Darling Scarp and transported down to the landing by bullocks and later tramway, it was then barged downstream to Fremantle. The timber was used in many landmark structures including the North Fremantle Bridge and the Causeway Bridge. More support for the workers was needed when Mason built his timber mill at the landing in 1865. This saw the pioneering development of the Canning region, with a bakery, butcher's, primary school, and mill store all established.

Nowadays it is a beautiful park area, with picnic facilities and a canoe launching area. A monument stands to recognise the contribution Bird, Mason and other Pioneering families made to the Canning Region.
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Francis Bird an architect from England, married Augusta Maud Earnshaw and they lived in one of the Colony's very few architect-designed homes, named "Woodloes". Built near Masons Landing, the mills finest Jarrah was sourced by Bird to build the masterpiece which still stands today. The wooden roof and craftsmanship in the doorways is a true masterpiece.

It was opened as a museum in 1970s after being restored by the Canning Districts Historical Society.
It can be viewed from 2pm-5pm on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.
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Learn more

This six kilometre return trail takes you along the Canning River starting at Kent St Weir and finishing at Masons Landing. The trail is a fully wheelchair accessible and a bike path, which meanders through the regional park, following many interpretative signs detailing the ecosytems and fauna that exist along the way. 

A highly recommended addition to this trail is to include the Woodloes Homestead, one of the few remaining houses of the 19th century, now a historic museum open from 2-5pm every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, only a further 10 minute walk from Mason's Landing along Woodloes St.

Originally named Cannings Landing, Masons Landing was used as an access point for the timber cut at Benjamin Mason's mill in Bickley, and transferred by flat bottomed barges to Fremantle. The timber cut from the Darling Scarp was pulled by bullock to the landing, later along tramways to be barged downstream to Fremantle.  In 1865 the landing was to be the site of the newly established steam powered timber mill.  This saw the establishment of a bakery, a butcher, school and mill store all at the landing.

Mason joined with Francis Bird in 1871, to create the Bird Mason Timber Company. They supplied timber to India for sleepers and telegraph poles to South Australia.  The company won tenders for the supply of timber for the building of the Causeway and North Fremantle Bridge, the roof of Perth Town Hall, the first Government Railway line from Geraldton to Northampton and the first section of the Ocean Jetty in Fremantle.  Bird's biggest contribution to the company was the development of the tramway connecting Mason Mill to Mason's Landing, a 9 mile journey for horse drawn "trains".

Employing over 1% of WA's male population at the time, the company made an enormous contribution to both the timber industry and the Canning and Kalamunda regions.

Department of Parks and Wildlife- Crawley

(08) 9442 0300

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Be trail ready for Woodloes Walk Trail, Canning River Park

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

Time / Duration

Time depends if you walk, run or cycle

Length

6km return

What To Pack

Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.

Trail Start

Kent Street Weir, Kent St Wilson. Canning River Regional Park is an easy 20 minute drive from the CBD.

Get directions

Trail End

Masons Landing Park, Marriamup St, Cannington

Get directions

Bush Walk

Grade 1

No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Walks no greater than 5km.

Hazards & Warnings

Beware of snakes during warmer months.

Facilities

  • Access without assistance for the Disabled
  • BBQ Facilities
  • Bicycle Path
  • Bicycle Rack
  • Cafe
  • Car Park
  • Child Activities
  • Coach Parking
  • Dog Friendly
  • Interpretive Centre
  • Lookouts
  • Parking for Disabled
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Sheltered Area
  • Toilet Facilities for Disabled
  • Water Access Points

Best time of year

All year round, more flowers from September to November

Fees

Trail Access

Road

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