Matilda Bay Reserve

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Cultural Recognition

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

Empty headingOverview of 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 (1) of our favourite spots for a day of nature play! 

The river is sheltered here, making it the perfect place for sand play, shallow water play, swimming, and paddling on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. The pontoon is a great addition and will keep kids busy for hours – just check the water depth and underwater hazards first. 

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!  

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. 

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. 

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 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 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.

Download the Every Kid in a Park app to use the interpretive map featuring photographs and additional information about each point.

 

Points of Interest

Points of interest provide accessibility information and nature play activities, including:  

  • Fly a Kite  
  • Adopt a Totem  
  • Visit Swan Estuary Marine Park  
  • Enjoy a Picnic  
  • Plant Pose 
  • Water Play 
A photo of a park bench at Matilda Bay reserve. The bench is made of timber and steel, and sits on an open area of green grass on the bank of the Swan River. The river water is a bright blue, as is the sky above. The canopy of a tree can be seen in the top half of the photo, and shades the bench below.
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".
The focus of this photo is a sign that reads "Swan Estuary Marine Park." It features four icons - a bird, a person looking through binoculars, a dog with a line through it (no dogs) and a person feeding birds with a line through it (no feeding birds). Behind the sign are some green trees and bushes.
A photo of a cement path, which runs between bushes, shrubs and trees of different shades of green. The sky above is clear and blue.
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.
A photo of a grassed section of the reserve. Many kinds of trees can be seen with different coloured bark, ranging from dark brown to light grey. All the trees have lush green foliage. A wooden picnic table and benches can be seen amongst the trees. The sky above is clear and 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 the bank of the Swan River at Matilda Bay Reserve. Green grass leads to yellow sand, which leads to the river’s edge. A two-storey building sits on the edge of the water to the left of the image. The sky above is bright blue and clear.
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.

Every Kid in a Park Resources

Discover fun activities to do at any park!

Activity Sheet: Invent a Scent

Become a master of scents by searching for and combining the best smells of nature. Can you create the perfect perfume? This document is available to download as a PDF or Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit. Download PDF version Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: Seeing Sound

Sounds are only for our ears……. or are they? Find a quiet spot to sit and listen. What can you hear? Use this activity sheet to record and describe the sounds. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Texture Tag

Use this activity sheet to go on an adventure and explore textures around the park! Touch leaves, bark and even the ground, and describe the features. This document is available as a PDF and an Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit.   Download PDF Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: The Bravery Award

With the help of this activity sheet, you’re going to attempt to overcome a fear. That means it’s time to put on a brave face! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Barefoot Bootcamp

Explore the world through your feet with the help of this activity sheet. On your next outdoor adventure, take off your shoes and play barefoot for a new sensory experience! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: A Place of Your Own

For some people, finding a special quiet place helps them connect to nature. Use this activity sheet to find a place in nature of your own. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Plant Pose

Plants grow in all shapes and sizes; just like people! Use this activity sheet to explore the natural environment, or have someone describe it to you. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Stories in the Sky

Find a good place to sit or lay down and watch the clouds in the sky. Take notice of their colours, textures and shapes, or have someone describe these to you. Use this activity sheet to create a story in the sky! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: The Awareness Game

Being aware of your surroundings is a wonderful skill. In this activity, you will be using your senses to test your awareness of the natural environment! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Colour Wonderful

There are so many colours in the natural world. In this activity, you’ll head outdoors with a trusted person as you explore the rainbow of colours and count the shades of nature together. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Plants and Animals

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

Animals 

River: 

  • 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: 

  • Marri tree 
  • Peppermint tree 
  • Coastal tea tree 
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.
A photo of a willie wagtail standing on some green grass. It’s a very small bird, with a black head, back and tailfeathers, and a white chest and stomach. It has a small black beak and thin, black legs.
A photo of a magpie in flight, taken from underneath. The bird is mostly black, with some white feathers on it’s wings and tail. Its beak is a light grey colour. The background is the blue sky.
A bottlenose dolphin swimming underwater. The dolphin is a light grey colour, and has a curved body. It has a long, bottle-shaped snout, and a curved dorsal fin on its back. The water is a turquoise colour.
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.
A photo of a red wattlebird sitting in a shrub. This bird is dark brown and cream in colour. It has a long, slender tail, a round body, and a small head with a longer, pointy beak. It has a small patch of red just below its cheek.
A photo of a pied oystercatcher standing on one leg. The bird is black and white in colour, with an orange, pointy beak.
A photo of the trunk of a marri tree. The trunk has rough bark which is a mix of colours – black, orange, and grey – suggesting it may have been burnt recently.

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Safety

We suggest taking time before your visit to read through this safety information. 

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. 

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Conservation

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.

  • 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.   
  • Do not disturb or displace plants and animals. 

Acknowledgements

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

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

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