Lake Monger Reserve

The closest eco-​reserve to Perth City — Lake Monger holds many happy memories and countless laps. There was a time when I pretended to be a runner, now I prefer to walk around and take my shoes off half way to earth in the grass.
There’s lots of wildlife and the baby swans and ducklings are just too cute. Be wary of snakes on the North-​East nature track (rare sightings) and the occasional swooping crow — you are in nature after all!
Parking is free but can sometimes get really packed. Also it has never happened to me, but the carparks have been known for break-​ins, so just put all valuables in your boot and off you go. Enjoy the serenity!

Lake Monger itself is lovely with a large expanse of glimmering water and lots of trees and grass. In addition to it’s beauty, it has lots to recommend it: barbecue facilities, water fountains and toilets, which make it perfect for a barbecue or picnic; shaded playgrounds to entertain the anklebiters; decent paths to walk, jog, ride or skate around with or without your pooch; soccer goals and basketball and netball hoops for the ball inclined; exercise equipment to add a little something to your cardio; city views and a lot of birds!
Lake Monger is a 5-​minute walk away from the Oxford Street coffee strip for some post-​exercise coffee or chow.
For me, the main disadvantage of Lake Monger is the sheer number of people on the paths. It’s also a little on the tame and domestic side for me because I like parks where I can get away from people. It’s hard to feel at one with nature when you are dodging bicycles.

I do a semi-​regular walk around Lake Monger with a friend. It’s in a great location as it’s near-​ish to the City for those driving home north, so you can drop in for a spot of exercise on the way home from work, or even on the way to work if you’re an early riser.
Walking around the Lake (with a dog who likes to stop constantly and smell every object in its path) takes about 40 minutes. I usually walk round Lake Monger twice for a decent 1 hour and 20 minute walk.
There is a lot of bird life and if you’re lucky you’ll see a long-​neck turtle. It also has some picturesque spots where you could hang out under a tree and admire the black swans.
My preference is always a coastal walk on the beach, as the scenery changes each day more than a park or lake, so you’re always set at something new to look at, but Lake Monger is still a great spot to exercise at on a less regular basis so you don’t get too bored of the scenery. Also Lake Monger gets quite busy, so you have to keep your wits about you on the path and sometimes wait for a car bay.

I have just started training at Lake Monger on a regular basis! It is such a gorgeous setting and absolutely stunning early in the morning. A good running, walking or cycling track with obvious water taps that measures 3.5km. There is lots of parking on both sides of the park.

Large park with stunning views of the city. Ample car parking available. Very serene during the morning and a lot of people out exercising and walking the dog. It is not safe after dark though so that is why it did not get 5 stars.

Lake Monger is full of childhood memories. Yep, I have fond memories of learning to first ride a bike here!
Great spot for families to take the kids (both humans and fur babies) for some fresh air, a look at all the swans and ducks and get some exercise in. If you’re lucky you might even spot a long necked tortoise in the water near the gazebos on the north side of the lake.

One of the best running tracks in perth.

The reserve could seriously do with some extra lighting. I went for a run here after work yesterday and it was positively pitch black after 6 o clock. Its a little dangerous considering all the dark nooks and crannys around the lake.

Lake Monger is visually appealing, and it is also highly accessible being close to the city — yet not so close that the urban jungle becomes intrusive. The reserve features a long track which is perfect for walkers and bikers alike, and many people take advantage of the track, especially towards the evening. The only downside to Lake Monger is the abundance of insects, and especially mosquitoes who descend like a furious force as the sun goes down. Bring insect repellent.

Lake Monger has a beautiful view and lots of green grass to run around on. On a sunny morning it is a great walk around the lake. There are several different park areas, most have reasonable shade. The big thing lacking in this park is facilities. This park is several kilometres long, but the only toilets I have seen are up near the schools on the one side. There is also not enough barbecue/​picnic facilities like most parks have these days.

This is where I go for a walk when I’m a bit bored with the same backdrop of homes, trees and faces in my own neighbourhood.
Lake Monger provides a more varietal scenic walk that includes swampland trees, pelicans (sometimes), swans, a lake (duh), and fit, Luluemon clad joggers with shiny, swinging ponytails.
Being wetlands there is a bit of a pong, but the smell becomes unnoticed about half way through the walking/​cycling track (5 to 15 minutes, depending on your physical exertion) and you can inhale the tranquil surrounds through your nose and into your mind.

This swampland and park area ticks boxes for birdwatching, exercise and general scenic splendour. Perth locals will rave about their walks around Lake Monger, I’ve done it a couple of times, it’s really pretty and incorporates views of the city, the surrounding residential area and the swampland. The paved walking and riding tracks is 3.5km and takes about 30 minutes to traverse by foot. Over 35 species of birds have been spotted here, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers.

I used to walk religiously around Lake Monger, sometimes twice ’round. It really is a lovely, picturesque place to get in a little exercise, what with the ducks and swans gliding close to the water’s edge and vivid green foliage everywhere you turn.
It’s a nice place for picnics too, and though you don’t see any sun setting over water here, the shift from day to dusk is kind of magical in this place.
What I don’t like? The smell of duck poop that wafts through the air when the wind blows. It’s a bit full-​on. But a small price to pay for such a pretty, free, scenic spot of nature.

I have become a regular at Lake Monger once I decided to get my fitness levels up. With a well-​kept concrete area surrounding the lake, running and walking is easy and convenient. With a nice view of the CBD on one side and plenty of swans in the river, it is a very picturesque place to exercise or just go for a casual walk. There is a basketball court, patches of grass throughout, a children’s playground, and even a variety of exercise machines that use your own body weight to function. A nice place to work-​out that’s near the city and not too busy.

I live just around the corner from this park and it is one of my ultimate favourite places to go. You know those sunny days when there’s a bit of a breeze in the city so you know there’s no point going out to Scarborough or Cottesloe to get your tan on because if there’s a breeze in the city then there will likely be a gale force wind out there? That is the perfect time to take a trip to this park. There is a stunning view out over the lake across to the city buildings in the distance, and the grass is beautifully kept — no mucky bald spots here! Lay out your towel, put in your earphones, open your book and enjoy the sun with a light breeze blowing over the water.
Aside from lazing around on the grass it’s also a great place to work out. There is level running track, and just by the kids playground is a small section of what looks like a playground for adults but is actually some interestingly shaped and brightly coloured workout equipment, including a leg crunch, manual stepper, pull-​up bars and an ab-​twister. Perfect is (like me) you can’t afford a gym membership!
It is a safe enough place to be during the day, but I would recommend getting out before the sun starts to go down.