Wembley

The pleasant Perth residential suburb of Wembley, just five kilometres or so north-west of the CBD, hosts both the sanctuaries of Herdsman Lake Regional Park and Lake Monger within its boundaries.

A swag of government money has been lavished on these lake areas in recent years, not only to provide oases in the midst of suburbia but also to protect these important wetlands and the wildlife - especially the birds - which flourish in these havens. It seems these lakes and their surrounds are now second in popularity among locals and visitors alike only to Kings Park - that fine, high area overlooking the city.

Herdsman Lake Regional Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. This beautiful wetland provides a wildlife sanctuary where many species of waterbird breed. A dredged moat encircling the 300-hectare lake ensures permanent open water, making it an important summer drought refuge.

A wildlife education centre for viewing and protecting the many migratory birds that frequent the lake was built by the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Herdsman has playground facilities, a wildlife viewing centre, the lake, grassed parklands and kilometres of walking and cycling tracks.