Piney Lakes has both restored bushland and an established play area in Winthrop. The City of Melville’s EcoHub and the Bidi Katitjiny trail give it another layer beyond a normal playground stop. Choose the developed paths for an easy visit or allow extra time for the wetland and bushland trails.
| Visit detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | 555 Leach Highway, Winthrop |
| Landscape | Bushland, wetland and developed parkland |
| Dogs | On lead; prohibited in the sensory playground |
| On site | EcoHub, walking trails and sensory play |
Walk with the site’s history
The City of Melville explains Piney Lakes’ significance to Noongar women and identifies the Bidi Katitjiny Aboriginal Women’s Trail. Its trail brochure gives route choices; the paths do not all have the same surface or accessibility. The reserve also records a long history of altered land use and restoration. Its pine plantation changed the wetland, which the City has worked to restore. Pause at the interpretation and give wetland wildlife room, rather than treating every bush path as a shortcut to the playground.
Keep the dog rule clear
The City requires dogs on lead throughout the reserve and excludes them entirely from the sensory playground. That distinction matters if visiting with both a child and a dog. Check EcoHub opening separately; a walk through the reserve does not imply the centre is staffed. Bring water and plan for shade, especially on the more open developed lawn. The City’s site map can help choose the entrance closest to the activity you want.
