Preston Beach brings together a range of landscape and cultural themes. At Lake Preston, two trails offer different highlights: a limestone ridge and tree tunnel on the Heathlands Walk Trail, and lakeside scenery and birdwatching on the Lake Preston Trail. The Lake Pollard Walk Trail adds another feature with named plant communities. Carved Bush Poles and a mural complement the nature themes with local art.

Walking trails at Lake Preston and Lake Pollard

The Heathlands Walk Trail climbs gently to a limestone ridge and a lookout over Lake Preston. From there, it passes through a tree tunnel to the water’s edge. The trail therefore shifts from an elevated viewpoint to the lakeshore. If you enjoy changes in scenery along a trail, you’ll find a clear sequence here: ridge, lookout and tree tunnel.

The Lake Preston Trail follows the lakeshore to a viewing platform right by the water. From there, you can watch the waterbirds that visit the area. In contrast with the Heathlands Walk Trail, the lakeshore and views of birds define this trail; the Heathlands Walk Trail focuses on the limestone ridge, lookout and tree tunnel. Both trails are at Lake Preston, but each highlights different aspects of the landscape. Check local conditions on the Lake Preston Trail before setting out.

The Lake Pollard Walk Trail passes stands of tuart, peppermint and grass tree vegetation. This offers a different focus from the two trails at Lake Preston: those feature the lakeshore, waterbirds and lookout, while this trail highlights the named plant communities. These specific landscape features can help you compare the trails.

The natural environment extends beyond the individual trails. In the wider travel region, Yalgorup National Park and the surrounding lakes attract native wildlife and birdlife. The broader area also has bird hides and viewing platforms, a boardwalk and several walking trails. This means the distinctive features of individual routes sit alongside a wider range of nature-watching opportunities across the travel region.

Carved Bush Poles and a mural

A series of carved Bush Poles by Merle and Tony Davis greets visitors at the entrance to Preston Beach. The works are part of the Heritage Bush Poles project. At the Preston Beach Community Centre, a mural by Melski McVee and the local community depicts the region’s native flora and fauna. In Preston Beach, you’ll encounter two distinct art forms: carved works at the town entrance and a community mural at the Community Centre.

The Heritage Bush Poles project extends beyond Preston Beach: the carved works are spread across Waroona, Hamel, Preston Beach and Lake Navarino Holiday Park. Their subjects depict local industries and wildlife, including trout, marrons, mining tools and red-tailed black cockatoos. The combination of wildlife and themes of industry and work illustrates the varied subject matter of the carvings.

Preston Beach has hosted major fishing competitions in the past.

Discover more destinations: Gingin, Cuballing, Hillarys, Rosa Glen, Scotsdale, Drummond Cove, Northam, Cannington

For the overview of the wider travel region: Western Australia.