Herdsman Lake (Nyungar: Njookenbooro), also known as Herdsmans Lake, is a freshwater lake located on the Swan Coastal Plain, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north-west of Perth, Western Australia, in the suburb of Herdsman. The main shared use path around the lake is approximately 8 kilometres in length, whilst the wetland perimeter of the lake is approximately 7.5 kilometres.

Herdsman Lake
Looking across a dredged section of the lake towards Perth
Herdsman Lake
Location	Perth, Western Australia
Coordinates	31°55′12″S 115°48′25″E
Basin countries	Australia
Designation	Herdsman Lake Regional Park
Max. length	2.5 km (1.6 mi)
Max. width	2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area	3 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Settlements	Perth

Description

The lake is encompassed by Herdsman Lake Regional Park. It measures 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) in width, totaling over 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi).[1] The perimeter of the lake is dredged to provide permanent open water, 15% of the area,[1] during the dry summer months. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary, with birdwatching a popular activity.

Almost 80% of the lake is covered with Typha rush (Typha orientalis), an introduced weed. In summer, most of the lake is dry. 15% of the lake is permanent deep water. In the 1830s, the lake was a possible water supply for Perth. In 1936, the lake was almost used as an alternative airport. Herdsman Lake was declared a regional park in 1999.

The Herdsman Main Drain is a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) x 1,000-millimetre (39 in) underground pipe drain carrying excess water from the lake to its outflow at City Beach.[2][3]

Attractions

Attractions within the park include the Olive Seymour Boardwalk, Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre and Settler's Cottage. It also contains a statue created by Pietro Porcelli, which formerly sat atop the now demolished AMP Chambers building, which was rescued and placed on one of the islands. Walking, cycling, picnicking, birdwatching and wildflower spotting are popular activities in the park. Disabled access is provided.

Birds

More than 160 species of bird have been recorded at Herdsman Lake, including a number of notable sightings and endemic species to the region.[4]

Notable sightings

• Purple Heron in February of 2013,[5] a vagrant to Australia
• Striated Heron in July of 2013,[6] vagrant this far south in Western Australia
• Collared Pratincole in January of 2019,[7] first found at Point Walter and later relocated at Herdsman Lake, a first record for Australia
• Wandering Whistling-Duck in May of 2019,[8] vagrant this far south in Western Australia
• Eastern Yellow Wagtail in January of 2020,[9] vagrant this far south in Western Australia

See also

• List of lakes of Western Australia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Herdsman Lake.

• Herdsman Lake Wildlife Photographs
• Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre
• Parks and Wildlife Service: Herdsman Lake Regional Park
• Herdsman Lake Regional Park management plan