Since 2018, the eastern end of the city has had one of Australia's most striking pieces of infrastructure: Matagarup Bridge, 400 metres of white steel folding over the Swan like a pair of swan wings mid-beat. It's also the keystone of the best short walk in Perth.

The loop

Start at Point Fraser on the city side and head east along the river path with the water on your right. Cross Matagarup — pause mid-span, because the view runs from the Perth Hills down the river to the city stacked against the afternoon light — then lap the Optus Stadium parklands on the Burswood Peninsula: boardwalks, native gardens, and the Chevron Parkland's giant nest-and-tower playgrounds if you've got kids in tow. Return over the Causeway via Heirisson Island, where a small mob of western grey kangaroos lives in a sanctuary most Perth people still don't know exists. All flat, about ninety minutes with stops.

Look at the bridge itself

The arches aren't decoration — the whole deck hangs from them, and at night the structure runs programmable lighting that marks everything from footy finals to awareness days. On a still evening the reflection doubles the wingspan in the black water, and the river birds — darters, pelicans, cormorants — work the shallows along the peninsula's restored banks.

If flat isn't enough

The bridge runs a harnessed climb up the main arch to a platform 72 metres above the river, and a zipline back down to the deck for those who'd rather descend at speed. Booking required, nerve optional but recommended.

Time it for the last two hours of daylight: the walk out is golden, the walk back is city lights on water. Take a jacket — the river breeze doesn't care that it's spring.

Photo: Chris Olszewski via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).