Perth, Western Australia: Swan River Parkland Walk from Ascot Quays, The Cray, Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant - Day 2

Bilya Kard Boodja Lookout, Belmont, Western Australia.

On the second day of our trip we had still to plan how the rest of the trip was going to go in terms of dividing our time between seeing the family and having holiday time to ourselves.

Our apartment sits right next to the Swan River on the south bank, and south east from the city. Along the bank is a cycle/walking path, through parkland, that I don't doubt you could probably follow almost to Fremantle if you really wanted to. 

After breakfast Enigma and I headed out to follow this path, toward the city, for what we thought was going to be a short walk but ended up being more of a five kilometre round trip.

Things of Note on Our Walk

The Dollhouse

The Dollhouse.

Not far along the walk is The Dollhouse. Initially it just looks like it might be a public toilet block when viewed at a distance from the path but the tall fence surrounding it suggests otherwise. It's actually a heritage listed mini house that used to be a display piece for a local brick and tile manufacturer.

It's pretty much locked behind the fence and remains as an interesting bit of history for the area.

Japanese Garden, Adachi Park

The shelter at Adachi Park in the Zen Garden.

A little further along at Adachi Park is a Japanese Zen Garden complete with seats and shelter. Sitting in the shelter gives you a nice view of both the garden and the river. 

Despite there being a lot of text signage in the rafters of the shelter (that I even photographed to read later) there's just so much of it, and I couldn't see how it related to the garden? 

I presume it was information about Belmont's sister city in Japan but I was just out for a walk and not intending to write a research paper!

Bilya Kard Boodja Lookout

Sculpture representing the
Noongar Whadjuk Seasons.

On our walk we came across the purpose built Bilya Kard Boodja look out with two viewing points. One view looks more toward the city to the west, while the other looks more toward the east.

My photos of the view really don't do it justice so instead I've posted an image of a fish sculpture, representing the Noongar Whadjuk Seasons, that was near the lookout.

Strangely enough, when I was taking photos of this sculpture it did not register with me that it was a fish shape until much later, looking at the photos again. Partly because there's about two feet distance between the two sections of the sculpture, and you have to be at the right angle to see the relationship (randomly I was taking the photos but still didn't see it).

There's plenty of information about the history of the parks, natives, and local bush tucker to be learned from signage placed all around.

We did walk further along than the lookouts but the rest of the distance, before we turned back, was basically just the path following the river behind various apartment buildings.

The Cray, Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant

This photo reflects my steak sandwich experience at The Cray.
While my sandwich was really good it was completely
overshadowed by Enigma's fish 'n' chips. Best fish
we've ever tasted by far. Photo: Enigma.

On the way back we stopped in for lunch at The Cray, Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant, which is not too far from Ascot Quays.

Enigma ordered fish 'n' chips and noticed that the fish was the best she's ever tasted. She gave me a taste and I had to agree, very fresh, just caught that day taste.

I had a steak sandwich that was also very good but not nearly as outstanding as the fish.

---o ---o--- o---

Since the walk had been unexpectedly longer than we intended we spent the rest of the afternoon at the apartment before heading out to the nearby Belmont Forum Shopping Center to get some supplies.

Driving back I managed to get rear ended at some very confusing traffic lights thanks to an overhanging tree obscuring part of the signal and my unfamiliarity of the area. 

Fortunately it wasn't a serious accident in terms of visual damage (expensive to repair but thankfully everything was covered by insurance). The other car was a four wheel drive with a bull bar, so they were fine, no one was going at speed.

Sunset on the Swan River, Belmont, Western Australia.
Photo Enigma.

It did put a bit of a downer on our evening and plans to eat dinner watching the sun go down by the river. 

We kind of missed our window to watch the sun go down, however it wasn't a particularly spectacular sunset that night anyway.

We did manage to make some plans with the family for the next day though, so that was some progress.