Bellwood Riverside Park

The riverside walk at Bellwood is what you come here for - a proper stretch along the Tay that feels genuinely quiet despite being so close to Perth. The water moves fast here, and on a decent day you get decent views downstream. It's the kind of place where you actually see wildlife rather than just hoping you might: kingfishers if you're lucky, herons pottering about, and the usual river birds. The paths are well-maintained but can be muddy after rain, so come prepared.

This isn't a destination that'll keep you entertained for hours. An hour to ninety minutes is realistic, depending on how far you fancy walking. What makes it worthwhile is how accessible it is from Perth centre - proper local spot rather than somewhere you need to drive miles to reach. Families with younger kids will find enough to look at without it feeling like a forced march, and walkers heading between Perth Caravan Park and Scone Camping and Caravanning Club Site nearby could easily fit this in as a morning or afternoon break.

The reserve itself is free to access, which helps justify the trip. Best visited outside peak summer weekends when it's not rammed with day-trippers from the city. Spring and autumn offer the most rewarding bird watching. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Scone's particularly well-rated - this gives you a proper outdoor activity that doesn't require a packed lunch and proper hiking boots.