Matilda Bay Reserve

Matilda Bay Reserve is a beautiful location on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) nestled just south of Kings Park, and it’s one of our favourite spots for a day of nature play! 

A photo of the Swan River taken from Matilda Bay Reserve. Green grass and a park bench can be seen in the foreground of the image. The midground is made up of the river, on which float a pontoon and some boats. The clear blue sky is above, and some buildings can be seen in the distance.

Cultural Recognition

We recognise and acknowledge the Whadjuk people as the traditional custodians of Matilda Bay Reserve.

A photo of two black swans pecking at the green grass on the banks of the Swan River. The birds have large, round bodies, long, thin necks, and bright red beaks. The sky above is bright blue, and the river in the background reflects this.
Black swans are a common sight at Matilda Bay Reserve.
A photo of tree growing on Matilda Bay Reserve. The bark of the tree is smooth and light grey. Some branches grow upward, and some grow outward – more parallel to the ground. The ends of the branches have lots of green leaves. The background of the image is green grass and some trees.
Many different kinds of trees grow on the reserve.

Overview of Matilda Bay Reserve

The river is sheltered along Matilda Bay Reserve, making it the perfect place for sand play, shallow water play, swimming, and paddling on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.  

There are plenty of trees for picnicking and playing in the shade on the grass. The river and city skyline make for a wonderful view all year round, so don’t let the cold stop you from visiting!  There are electric barbecues and accessible public toilets available, so you really can spend a whole day here. There is no entry fee, and dogs are allowed but must be kept on lead. 

Nature Play Resources

Nature Play WA has created fun and interactive resources to use at Matilda Bay Reserve. 

For more fun, interactive nature play activities for families that can be used wile exploring any location, check out our free, Every Kid in a Park resource library

Family Resource Library

Activities & Information

With its proximity to Perth, the picturesque Herdsman Lake Regional Park has plenty to offer families looking for space to spend time in nature together.

A photo of the bank of the Swan River at Matilda Bay Reserve. Green grass leads to yellow sand, which leads to the river’s edge. Trees and a park bench can be seen on the grassed area. The sky above is bright blue and clear.
The reserve is very spacious, allowing visitors plenty of room to set up for a day of water and sand play.

There are plenty of paths and trails to explore. Trees for picnicking and playing in the shade on the grass. The river and city skyline make for a wonderful view all year round, so don’t let the cold stop you from visiting!  

Keep an eye out for dolphins who are often seen frolicking in the shallows of the river, and waterbirds like pelicans, swans, ducks, terns, herons and cormorants. 

A flat, sealed path runs parallel to the river, and is suitable for bicycles, prams and wheelchairs. 

A photo of the Swan River taken from Matilda Bay Reserve. Green grass and a park bench can be seen in the foreground of the image. The midground is made up of the river, on which float a pontoon and some boats. The clear blue sky is above, and some buildings can be seen in the distance.
Enjoy a picnic with a view at Matilda Bay Reserve.
This is a close-up photograph of an American white ibis. The bird has long, thin legs with a white body. Its beak, or bill, is red in colour which matches the patch of red skin around the birds eye. The ibis stands in the water, which is glistening in the sun.
An ibis enjoying the water. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Photo by Radha Deepchand.
This is a close-up photo of a great crested grebe bird floating in the water. It has light brown wings and a white neck. The grebe has a white face with a small red eye, and a black line from the base of the bill to the eye. It has a black crown and mid-brown feathers that change to black as the feathers extend down to the birds neck.
A great crested grebe.  Photo credit: Trails WA.

See if you can spot some of these plants and animals during your visit!  

Animals 

  • Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins 
  • West Australian seahorse 
  • Black swan 
  • Little cormorant

Birds: 

  • Magpies 
  • Willie wagtails 
  • Welcome swallow 
  • Silver gull 
  • Red wattlebird 

Migratory birds (Pelican Point): 

  • Pied oystercatchers 
  • Red-capped plovers 
  • Sandpipers 
  • Stints 
  • Curlews 
  • Snipes 

Plants: 

  • Coastal tea tree 
  • Marri tree 
  • Peppermint tree 

When swimming in the river, keep in mind that: 

  • Riverbeds may be uneven, unstable or slippery and cause you to lose your footing. 
  • Underwater hazards such as rocks, branches and rubbish can create snags or cause injury. 
  • Always check the water depth. If you can see the bottom, the water may be shallower than it appears. 

Visit the Explore Parks WA website for more.

This photograph was taken at Herdsman Lake and shows large paperbark trees growing in a brown body of water. The trees have thick, rough trunks and branches. Other trees and plants grow above the water. The sun is shining on the water which creates reflections and shadows.
Explore the beautiful paperbark trees. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Photo by Radha Deepchand.

Matilda Bay Reserve is home to many plants and animals. Follow the tips below to assist in the protection of the Matilda Bay Reserve environment.

Do not disturb or displace plants and animals. 

Leave no trace. Ensure all food and rubbish is contained and out of reach of wildlife, and take all belongings with you when you leave.  

Do not feed wildlife.   

A photo of a black swan floating on some water. It is mostly black with a large, oval-shaped body, a long, thin neck, a small head and a bright red beak.
Black swans enjoy the sheltered nature of Matilda Bay.
A side-on photo of a bottlenose dolphin underwater. The dolphin has a long “snout”, and a curved body that is grey in colour. It has a curved dorsal fin on its back, and another fin on its chest.
You might spot bottlenose dolphins breaching the surface of the Swan River.

Visit the Explore Parks WA website for more information about Matilda Bay Reserve.  

Acknowledgements

Nature Play WA would like to thank the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for providing valuable information about Matilda Bay Reserve. 

  • A photo of the views from Matilda Bay Reserve. The foreground is out of focus, and features two people sitting on the bank of the Swan River. The rest of the photo is in focus, and features the blue river and some boats floating atop it, the Perth City skyline, and the blue sky above.
  • The focus of this photo is a large sign that reads “Matilda Bay Reserve” in the left of the image. Behind and to the right of the sign is some green grass, and a concrete path. Some large trees and the blue Swan River can be seen in the distance. The sky above is clear and blue.
  • The focus of this photo is a small sign with three icons – a picnic table icon, a male and female toilet icon, and a “dogs on lead” icon. The background of the photo consists of green grass, trees, and a concrete path. The river can be seen in the distance, and the sky above is clear and bright blue.
  • A photo of a large Moreton Bay fig tree growing on the grass of Matilda Bay Reserve. The tree has a short, wide trunk, which splits into many more branches. The spread of the branches is quite flat, but reaches far. The tree is sparsely covered in green leaves.
  • A photo of two black swans pecking at the green grass on the banks of the Swan River. The birds have large, round bodies, long, thin necks, and bright red beaks. The sky above is bright blue, and the river in the background reflects this.
  • A photo of a long, low interpretive sign, made of concrete and timber. It reads "Katamburdup. A place of high importance. My great-great-great grandmother was taken from around here, her name was Jili and her totem was the white-necked heron - the missionaries called her Matilda. Trevor Walley, 2020".
  • A photo of the Swan River taken from Matilda Bay Reserve. A large tree with a thick trunk and lots of small green leaves grows to the right of the photo. Green grass in the foreground leads to the blue water of the Swan River. The sky above is bright blue and clear.