Discover Murdoch

Murdoch brings nature and culture together in a variety of ways. Quenda Wetland is part of the Beeliar Regional Park chain and provides wildlife with habitat, refuge, breeding grounds and food sources. At Murdoch University’s Perth campus, visitors can explore three trails through the Banksia Woodland; the university’s art gallery presents contemporary Australian art. The offerings range from a wetland’s ecological functions to walking trails and exhibitions. If you would like to combine different interests on your trip, Murdoch offers several distinct points of interest.

Nature from Two Perspectives

Quenda Wetland is notable for its role as a habitat. Refuge, breeding grounds and food sources are among the things the wetland provides for wildlife. This perspective on nature differs from that of the Banksia Woodland, where visitors can explore different areas with rare and endangered species along three walking trails. In one case, habitat and refuge define the nature experience; in the other, trails offer a way to explore different areas. When choosing nature experiences for your trip, you can therefore distinguish between two different focuses.

Three Trails Through the Banksia Woodland

At 1.2 kilometres, the Koorloo Trail is the longest of the three. It runs around the entire Banksia Woodland, making it the longest route listed and one that encircles the woodland. Poolgarla and Ngoolark are each one kilometre long, but their thematic focuses differ considerably.

On the Poolgarla Trail, interpretive signs link the six Nyoongar seasons with the flora. This gives the walk a seasonal and botanical focus, bringing plant life and traditional seasonal knowledge together. The Ngoolark Trail is also one kilometre long and follows a loop through the Banksia Woodland. Its name comes from the Ngoongar word for the endangered bird species Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.

So there is more to consider when comparing the trails than just their lengths. Koorloo runs around the entire woodland, Poolgarla highlights the connection between the seasons and flora, and Ngoolark combines a loop route with a reference to an endangered bird species. These differences can help you choose a trail based on what interests you most as you explore, without making assumptions about walking time or difficulty from a distance.

Art and Getting There as Further Points of Reference

As part of its exhibition program, Murdoch University’s art gallery presents the most exciting developments in contemporary Australian art. Exhibitions take place throughout the year and explore a range of themes and aspects of the collection. This adds a cultural offering to Murdoch’s nature experiences: you can consider the Banksia Woodland trails and contemporary art as different focuses for your trip.

The Perth campus is a short walk from Murdoch train station, and bus stops are on campus and in the surrounding area. If the campus trails are part of your travel plans, the station and bus stops are useful points of reference. When looking for a hotel in Murdoch, you can compare this campus connection with your own plans and take the accommodation’s specific location into account.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wonnerup, Nedlands, Woodbridge, Kings Park, Shadforth, Drummond Cove, Bow Bridge, Port Hedland.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.