CARNAMAH AIR STRIP
Via Carnamah-Perenjori Road, Carnamah
Strip your blues away
This place holds a special place in my heart. The ‘Strip’ was the very first place Blue and I went for a walk together.
Before doing so, we played in my grassy, unruly, back yard on Robertson Street to get to know each other better after his owner Ian enjoyed a cuppa and a chat before heading off to Perth to help his family start a new life in the big smoke.
It was obvious that Blue was a little confused about where Ian had gone to but he seemed content to play and come with me for a walk.
Collared and clipped on his lead, we strolled up Lang street, turned off into the Rec Centre side entrance, walked past the livestock ramp, climbed over an old rusty fence, jumped the water-race, and arrived at the end of the air strip. It was here that I let Blue off the lead so he could really stretch his legs and sniff around his new territory.
Initially, Blue hesitantly took in the growing crop in each side of the airstrip while pausing at the Patterson’s Curse bushes to investigate the smells in there, but soon enough, he was galloping up the stretch of flat dirt, getting smaller and smaller in view.
I was thrilled (and relieved) when I called out to him to come back and he actually did! That was a good sign. I even recorded this very moment in time. Forgive the amateur sound quality but I’m sure you’ll recognise the joy in my voice at his return.
Blue and I have since walked this airstrip umpteen many times. He gets to have such a good run-on here. There have been very few times occasions when we’ve heard or seen a crop plane get ready for take off along the dirt here in the hours from 9am to 2pm, but we typically walk the Strip outside of those hours and have always felt safe to walk here.
There is a service road on each side of the strip which are just as interesting and enjoyable to walk along. On these outer tracks, Blue tends to pounce (unsuccessfully) on the field mice and grasshoppers that inhabit the area.
The north track of the air strip features a fenced-in damn; a water source the Shire Council uses to irrigate the hockey field and footy oval. You’ll often see ducks raising their families on the damn, while at night you’ll hear the entertaining Motorbike Frogs that reside here. At other parts of the air strip, you’ll hear the amusing coo of the Western Spotted Frog. In fact, we’ve even submitted some audio of the frogs that inhabit this area to the Australia Museum project FrogID.
We always feel happy and rejuvenated after spending time on the air strip or listening to the frogs. Its a really lovely place to walk your blues away.
Let us know about other great dog walks you’ve gone in the Mid West at blueswalkies@gmail.com
WATHEROO SPORTS COMPLEX
Elliot Road, Watheroo 6513
Stretch out at watheroo
Watheroo is such a gorgeous little town.
It takes less than a minute to drive through, but Blue and I recommend you turn off the Midlands Road onto Elliot Road and head to the Sporting Complex.
The Sporting Complex is vast but homely. Surrounded by crop paddocks and the Watheroo Golf Course, its a really lovely spot to clear the head and stretch the legs. You can take your dog for a walk along the golf course, but we suggest you keep a close eye for flying golf balls on Wednesday’s and Sunday’s when its in use.
In addition to these walking options, Blue and I have strolled many-a-time along the bush road that runs past the tennis courts to see lizards sunning themselves on ground and birds chirping away in the branches above. Just lovely!
We love stretching our legs ambling across the oval toward the lush crop paddocks behind the sports complex.
The public toilets at the Sports Complex are always clean and well stocked.
Drop off all your empty dog treat packets here!
Plenty of tables to sit on (or climb up).
Just strolling around on a beautiful, sunny day in Watheroo.
So let’s recap:
Lot’s of space to stretch, run, climb…etc.
The toilets are grand.
Plenty of spots to sit and eat.
MANY bins available if you need to drop off some stuff.
There’s a covered playground for your two-legged pets.
And, you can even whip up some tea on an old pot belly stove. (Heads Up - You’ll need to supply your own wood.)
Put Watheroo on your dog walk bucket list!
Its so amusing to see a pot belly stove at the Complex, but its just one of the many gems that makes it worth the visit.
Let us know about other great dog walks you’ve gone in the Mid West at blueswalkies@gmail.com
Wannamal Hall & Oval
Bindoon-Moora Road, Wannamal, Western Australia 6505
WHEATBELT STRETCH
When Blue and I head down to Perth for appointments or shopping, we always love to stretch our legs at the Wannamal Hall.
Westward of the Hall is a bush road that runs parallel with a small cricket oval. Blue LOVES to zoom around on this oval where there are plenty of huge, old, gum trees to ‘sniff and mark.’
Blue showing us his cricket fielding skills… minus a ball.
Here’s a better view of the old cricket oval. The concrete pitch in the middle is still there!
The Wannamal Hall is located behind this playground.
Across the road from the Hall is a Rest Area (campsite). It has fairly basic facilities, but is very popular with the caravanning grey nomads and is pet friendly!
Wannamal Rest Area. Photo credit Ron N. Cheers Ron!
This is also where the Wannamal Walk Trail starts from. To be honest, we haven’t strolled this one yet, but it is on our ‘Walkies List’ and we always get inspired to do so after watching a delightful tourist clip featuring the trail. Click on the link below for an enjoyable visual stroll.
Let us know about other great dog walks you’ve gone in the Mid West at blueswalkies@gmail.com