Nice Walks

Near and Around

Margaret House

Images to see while walking:

Cape Mentelle Lake Trail

This is a pleasant walk which takes about 40 minutes (without stops) over flat terrain. In the spring time, the wildflowers abound all along the trail, and in the evening the kangaroos graze peacefully around the banks of the lake. You will also pass by Cape Mentelle's vines.

You start by crossing Wallcliffe Rd and travelling South along the Yalgardup Reserve road, for about 100 m. Just before the end of the bitumen, you will see a gravel track leading off on your right. Follow this track until you reach a T junction, turn left and follow the fence. After walking for about 10 minutes, you will see the lake on your right (it is hard to see, you may have to cross the fence and walk down their firebreak). The lake is on private property, but if you make sure that you do not damage the fence (currently it is laying on the ground, since a tree has fallen on it) or leave any rubbish, I am sure the owners will not mind too much. The lake is part of the water supply for the Cape Mentelle Vineyard (another place that you can easily walk too).

Walk back along the fence line until you reach Wallcliffe Rd again, on your left you will see some of the many vines that Cape Mentelle have planted. When you reach the road, cross carefully and then follow the bike path back home.

Xanadu Vineyard and Restaurant Walk

This is quite a long walk (2.5km each way). You follow the access road through the centre of Yalgardup Reserve unitl you reach a fence. Turn left at the fence and go along the fire break till you reach Terry Drive. Most of this walk is through revegetated bushland.

You arrive at the back entrance to Xanadu Winery which recently produced the best Australian export white wine. Xanadu has also recently built a magnificant restaurant and outside dining area so you can now reward yourself with a fantastic meal.

Terry Drive joins onto Railway Terrace which will lead you back to Wallcliffe Road. You could then take the bike path back to Margaret House, crossing Yalgardup Brook and passing by Basildene Manor. Visitors are welcome to walk the gardens of the Manor and view the National Trust listed building.

Kangaroo Walk

If you would like to see some kangaroos in a relatively natural environment, then all you have to do is go for a walk along the bike path towards the beach (South). About 1km down the path, you will see many kangaroos in the paddocks grazing.

The best time to see them is in the afternoon and evening.

If you would like a longer walk, go to the end of Devon Drive. Just before the turn around, there is a fire vehicle access way, on your left, going up between the last two properties. Walk along the access way until you get to Kevil Road. Turn left onto Kevil Road and walk back to the bike path. You may come across a few kangaroos in the bush as you go.

[Note : The golf course is also a great place to see kangaroos]

Cape Mentelle Winery Walk

This is only for the decadent ones amongst us. As you are most probably aware, Cape Mentelle Winery is only a short distance from us. As you leave our driveway, turn right on the bike path and follow the path along Wallcliffe Rd for about 500m. You will have to keep an eye out for the winery entrance on your left, since it may be hidden by the raised road.

The driveway into the winery is about 1 Km long and takes you past the different vines that they are growing. You come out at a nice picnic area with a gentle stream passing through it. The tasting room is also in this area.

After trying a few different wines, you can purchase a nice light white and then sit outside and enjoy the picnic hamper that you took with you in your backpack (if you planned this walk properly). A French loaf, some Margaret River Brie and Camembert, some succulent pieces of fresh fruit and a pleasant lay in the sun before you begin your walk back home for a well earned afternoon sleep.

Yalgardup Brook Walk

This is a nice walk that takes only about 30 minutes. You could also take along a picnic lunch since there are some nice granite rock formations that form a good table out in the sun.

During this walk you might see some kangaroos, some horses, some sheep and several water birds that nest in the reeds along the banks of the brook.

You start by going out our front gate, turn left and then turn left along the walk path. At the bottom of the hill is Yalgardup Brook which wends its way along through the Public Open Space that you can see off to your left.

Cross the fence or climb through the gate (both are there only to keep the sheep in, not to keep people out).

Follow the creek up to the grove of Peppermint trees, where you will find a narrow board that will help you to cross the creek if you are brave.

If you continued along the walk path, you would end up in town, it is about a 2 km walk from Yalgardup Brook.

Old Kate - Rotary Park Trail

As you entered town (from Perth), you might have noticed a park just before the bridge over the Margaret River. This is Rotary Park, and in the park there is an old steam engine called Old Kate (it is not a working engine). In the park there are BBQ's, toilet facilities and plenty of parking. This is where the walk begins, it takes about 40 minutes and there are a few small inclines along the way, but it is still an easy walk. (You can walk along the different trails for a lot longer than 40 minutes, but in most cases you will have to back track to get back to Rotary Park).

You travel along the banks of the Margaret River until you reach the weir. Until recently, this was the main water supply for the town, but now the towns water comes from the Ten Mile Brook dam (another nice place to visit). You cross the weir (getting your feet wet in winter and spring) and then return along the opposite bank of the river. There are arrows on several trees to give you directions so you should not get lost. You cross over the river at a bridge near Rotary Park and then return along the trail you went out on.