An online visitor's guide to Western Australia's parks, reserves and other recreation areas.
Swan Estuary Marine Park 
Black swans
Moon over the Swan
Swan Estuary Egret
Waders on the Swan
Mud-dwelling prawn
Crab
Swan Estuary Mussels
Lesueur's sand dollar
Finger dragonet
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Introduction:
The Swan River and its tributaries are among the most prominent features of the Perth metropolitan area. The river and its foreshores provide habitats for a large variety of terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals.
The Swan Estuary Marine Park protects three biologically important areas of Perth's beautiful Swan River. Swan Estuary Marine Park encompasses Alfred Cove, 190 hectares adjacent to the suburbs of Attadale and Applecross; Pelican Point, a 40 hectare area in Crawley; and Milyu, 95 hectares adjacent to the Como foreshore and Kwinana Freeway.
These areas encompass mudflats, seagrass beds and intertidal vegetation such as sedges and saltmarsh, which provide many different habitats for a host of animals. The most important of these, due to their international significance, are the migratory wading birds.
Up to 10 000 waders visit these three areas every summer. They come from as far afield as Asia, America, Mongolia and Siberia. About 33 species of these species are protected under the Japan-Australia and China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreements. Most notable among these are the tiny red-necked stint. Although only 30-40 grams, these birds regularly fly thousands of miles from their breeding areas in Arctic Siberia to the warm mudflats of the Swan Estuary.
The estuarine mudflats contain high concentrations of food which replenish the energy of the exhausted birds after their long flight south. The birds move between the intertidal flats of the three areas of the marine park according to where feeding and roosting sites are available.
The transitory waders are fascinating birds. Different species arrive at varying times between August and November. Because other wetlands are too full of water at this time of the year, the Swan Estuary (and the coast) are used as the first resting and feeding spots. Some of the birds will be sporting their breeding plumage when they arrive. Others will moult to their breeding glory in February. Most birds will have left the Perth region by late March. Pelicans, ibis, egrets and other birds also reside in the estuary.
Alfred Cove
At Alfred Cove there are a number of vantage points for viewing more than 140 species of flying visitors and residents. The semi-enclosed waters hide mussels dating back 6,000 years, as well as considerably younger more juicy examples sought after by the 33 species of wading birds. The seagrass beds adjacent to the mudflats are a primary link in the food chain for the animals on which waders depend for food, as well as an important nursery area for fish and prawns.
Pelican Point
At Pelican Point, excellent views of the mudflats can be obtained from an observation platform reached from Australia II Drive.
Milyu
Despite its proximity to the freeway, this area provides equally good feeding and resting areas for both the waders and other waterbirds. They can be seen from the beach or from the foreshore path. You can almost always see Australian pelicans here.
A full-colour, pocket-size guidebook, Discovering the Swan River and Swan Estuary Marine Park, is available from DEC and most good bookshops.
Where is it?: Swan Estuary Marine Park encompasses Alfred Cove, 190 hectares of semi-enclosed waters adjacent to the suburbs of Attadale and Applecross; Pelican Point, a 40 hectare area in Crawley; and Milyu, 95 hectares adjacent to the Como foreshore and Kwinana Freeway.
Travelling time: All three localities lie within 20 minutes drive from the centre of Perth.
Access: Depending on which area you are visiting, you can drive to the nearest carpark and walk to the foreshore.
Best season: Most birds are seen from August to the following March.
What to see and do: The most popular activities are walking or cycling along the scenic riverside and birdwatching.
Facilities: There are dual use paths (for the shared use of pedestrians and cyclists) along the river foreshore. There are also information panels on the Milyu foreshore.
Extra facilities:
