Star Swamp Heritage Trail
Star Swamp Reserve is a 100 hectare native bushland reserve located approximately 15km north-west of Perth bordered by Marmion Avenue, North Beach Road, Hope Street and Beach Road. The Star Swamp Heritage Trail is a 1.4km walk trail which is also suitable for wheelchair users. The Swamp's natural significance and role in the history and development of the Stirling area is highlighted by a series of plaques along the trail. It provides an enjoyable 40 minute walk at a leisurely pace through a uniquely varying bushland ecosystem, with opportunities for birdwatching. The area sustains a rich diversity of plant and animal life in tranquil settings.

The trail is accessible from three points:

• South entrance - from the end of Groat Street;
• North entrance - from the end of Mary Street; and
• West entrance - from Hope Street by the Swamp.

Star Swamp is one of the best known and loved natural landmarks in the North Beach area and once formed part of a broad and extensive system of wetland Swamps and supporting vegetation that made up the Swan Coastal Plain.

It is believed that Star Swamp's name originated from a coastal map drawn by Surveyor Cowles during a survey of the area in 1869. Cowles marked the swamp, then unnamed, with an asterisk or star. People using the map began to refer to it as Star Swamp, and in a short time the name was in common usage. Another popular version suggests it was named after a man called Bob Star (or Starr) who was a prominent resident in the area during the 1860's.

Originally set aside as a timber reserve in the mid 1800's, the area around Star Swamp was first settled by pastoralists in the 1860's. Two families in particular, the Brockmans and Hamersleys, had considerable pastoral interests along the 'Old North Road' which extended from Dog Swamp to Walkaway, south of Geraldton.

Bushlinks Walk Trail (North-Western Zone)
Bushlinks is an urban walking route linking major bushlands within the City of Stirling.
 
The North-Western Zone encompasses Star Swamp, Trigg Bushland Reserve, Lake Gwelup Reserve, Big Carine Swamp, as well as the suburbs of Karrinyup, Carine, Trigg and North Beach.
 
Benefits
Bushlinks provides planned and easy access to urban bushlands so that these areas can be better appreciated and valued for their natural attributes.
 
The walk trail is such that it can be walked in total or in sections based on convenience.
 
How to use Bushlinks
The City of Stirling 'Bushlinks' brochure contains a map showing a number of walking routes within the City of Stirling’s North-Western Zone.
 
The primary route or main circuit (shown in blue) is approximately 11.5 kilometres long and generally links all major bushlands within the Northwestern zone of the City of Stirling.
 
The subsidiary routes or side loops (shown in green and red) enable more detailed tours of individual bushlands.
 
The Bushlinks route takes you past various sites of interest and relevant public facilities, namely:

• Places of historic/architectural interest;
• Sites of natural interest;
• Carparks;
• Convenience shops for buying refreshments;
• Public toilets; and
• Bus stops.  

Hard copies of the ‘Bushlinks’ brochure can be obtained from the City of Stirling Administration Centre and City of Stirling libraries.
 
Alternatively a copy can be downloaded by clicking on the links below:

• Bushlinks Walk Trail Brochure
• Bushlinks Walk Trail Colour Map