At the Banksia Woodland Reserve on the Perth campus, visitors can explore different areas with rare and endangered species along one of three walking and hiking trails. The trails differ in length and theme. The Quenda Wetland draws attention to the functions of a natural environment for wildlife; Murdoch University dedicates its exhibition program to contemporary Australian art. These offer different nature and culture themes to consider when planning your trip, which you can prioritise according to your interests.

Trails in the Banksia Woodland

At 1.2 km, the Koorloo walking trail is the longest of the three and runs around the entire Banksia Woodland. Ngoolark and Poolgarla are each 1 km long, making both 0.2 km shorter than Koorloo. Ngoolark is a loop trail in the Banksia Woodland, named after the Ngoongar word for the endangered bird species Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. The Poolgarla walking trail features interpretive signage linking the six Nyoongar seasons with the flora.

Despite being the same length, Ngoolark and Poolgarla differ in form and content: Ngoolark is characterised by its loop and its name’s connection to the bird species, while Poolgarla focuses on the interpretive link between the seasons and the flora. So when choosing between these two trails, the themes mentioned may be just as important as their shared length.

The Quenda Wetland and its role in nature

The Quenda Wetland is part of the Beeliar Regional Park chain and provides wildlife with habitat, refuge, breeding sites and food sources. Its connection with nature therefore differs from that of the trails in the Banksia Woodland: there, visitors can explore different areas with rare and endangered species; at the wetland, the focus is on its role as a habitat for wildlife. For your selection, it adds a different emphasis to the picture of nature in Murdoch than exploring the trails does.

Contemporary Australian art at Murdoch University

As part of its exhibition program, the Murdoch University Art Gallery presents the most exciting developments in contemporary Australian art. Exhibitions are held throughout the year and highlight different themes and aspects of the collection. The specific focus may therefore vary from one exhibition to another. If you plan to visit a particular exhibition, check its dates in advance. This allows you to include the exhibition program as a cultural theme in your travel plans without equating it with the nature trails.

Getting there and finding accommodation

The Perth campus is a useful point of reference for getting there: it is a short walk from Murdoch train station, and bus stops are located on and around the campus. This information can help you factor the campus into your stay, for example if you want to explore the trails in the Banksia Woodland. When looking for a holiday rental in Murdoch, you can first consider how important the campus and nature trails are to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mandurah, Wickepin, Spalding, Bremer Bay, Carabooda, Jandakot, Port Kennedy, Harrisdale

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.