Lyneham-O'Connor walk directions

Summary

A combined park and suburban offering, this walk takes a varied, meandering route through some of Lyneham and O'Connor's prettiest open parks and quietest tree-lined streets. The walk includes several large playing fields for energetic ball games as well as other extended off leash opportunities. You'll see a wide range of housing from 1940s weatherboards to ultra-modern minimalist designs. If walking with children, a very short detour provides a playground opportunity. The walk starts and ends at the Lyneham shops with dog friendly cafés on Wattle Street.
Start/Finish - Lyneham shops, Hall Street
Time/Distance - Allow 90 minutes/approx 5 km
Off lead rating - ♥♥
Parking - Hall Street and adjacent car parks
Dog friendly café - Our Pick The Front Café on Wattle St, and others
Public toilets - Lyneham shops on Hall Street
Bins - Lyneham shops and O'Connor Oval
Distractions - none
Playgrounds - At the Lyneham Wetlands
Photo gallery - See photos taken on the Lyneham-O'Connor walk.

Note - All our dog walks assume you are a responsible dog owner with an obedient and well-socialised dog. See our Important Stuff page before starting any of our walks.

Map

Use the navigation tools to zoom in or out for different views of the route or click on the 'view larger map' icon on the top right hand corner of the map to view in google maps.

Directions

Lyneham shops to O'Connor Oval (30 minutes)

1. From the Lyneham shops IGA entrance, cross the street (Hall Street) using the pedestrian crossing. Turn right on Hall Street walking on the concrete footpath, then turn left taking the bitumen path leading towards a large playing field (Lyneham Neighbourhood Oval). Follow the bitumen path a short distance before ducking under the steel railing to enter the Lyneham Neighbourhood Oval on the left.
Off leash opportunity on the oval.
The oval provides a large open space for energetic off leash games and is often deserted. It is bordered by schools on two sides, a storm water drain, and Brigalow Street. There are some large shady trees along the storm water drain but keep your dog away from cyclists using the bitumen cycle path along the perimeter of the drain.
2. Walk across the oval aiming towards the colourful old brick toilet block up ahead to the right, located next to the cycle path. Just behind the toilet block you'll see a pedestrian bridge crossing the stormwater drain. With your dog on leash, cross to the other side of the drain using the bridge.
Off leash opportunity starts on the other side of the bridge.
3. Turn right to walk through another grassy area, keeping the storm water drain on your right. Keep following the storm water drain.
Note that the open irrigated area on your left is part of the Lyneham High School grounds. Don't let your dog wander into this area, away from the stormwater drain, on school days if children are using it.
4. When you reach a bitumen path, cross over it to follow a dirt track. The dirt track continues parallel to the stormwater drain with a stone wall bordering apartments and houses on your left. Continue along this track until you reach a street (Goodwin Street).
The dirt track passes under shady pines and casuarinas. Your dog may wish to drop down into the drain for a drink and paddle.
Off leash opportunity ends before the road.
5. Cross Goodwin Street and make your way past a large pond, continuing to keep the storm water drain on your right hand side.
If you wish, make a detour around the pond by following the paved path to the left, then cross over the pedestrian bridge, and return following the paths on the other side.
If you have children with you and you'd like to spend some time at a playground, turn left at the paved path to walk around the pond, cross at the pedestrian bridge, and then turn left again following the path a short distance to reach the playground. To rejoin the walking route, simply return to the paved path, and turn left to follow the pond edge on your right until you reach Wattle Street and the pedestrian crossing.
6. After passing the pond, head for the street up ahead and to your right (Wattle Street which the storm water drain passes under), joining the cycle path to reach a pedestrian crossing. Use the crossing to reach the other side of Wattle Street.
7. On the other side of the street, continue ahead but veer right off the cycle path to walk next to the storm water drain.
Off leash opportunity starts off the cycle path.
Although this is an off leash area, ensure you keep your dog at least 10 metres from the cycle path.
Mature deciduous trees make this a very pretty stretch in autumn.
8. Continue following the storm water drain until another street (MacArthur Avenue).
Off leash opportunity ends at MacArthur Avenue.
9. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross MacArthur Avenue then turn hard right to follow a footpath to the other side of the stormwater drain. At the other side of the stormwater drain, turn left to follow the stormwater drain again so it is on your left-hand side. Walking ahead you will enter an extensive playing fields area.

O'Connor Oval section (15 minutes)

The O'Connor Oval - actually two very large ovals and a third fenced (dogs prohibited) oval - provides a large off leash area popular with dog walking locals so there may be opportunities for your dog to socialise. You may wish to linger here enjoying the open space. If there are sports games in progress, keep close to the stormwater drain away from the mown turf. The unirrigated grassy area along the storm water drain is always off leash.
There is a line of tall trees bisecting the two main ovals which provides good shade in summer.
10. Meander through the playing fields, passing through the line of trees and a steel railing, to the second oval, furthest from where you entered.
The second oval is bounded by two storm water drain channels.
Bins are located near the grey amenities block adjacent to the gravel carpark on the second oval.

O'Connor Oval to Lyneham shops (15 minutes)

11. When you're ready, head towards the grey amenities block located on the second oval by the gravel car park. Walk behind the building into the car park, turn right to the end of the car park, then continue right picking a path through an open stand of eucalypts and casuarinas, so that you are walking between a road (Pedder Street) on your left and a stormwater drain on your right.
Off leash opportunity ends when you leave the oval.
12. Continue a short distance on Pedder Street until you reach a main road (MacArthur Avenue). Cross MacArthur Avenue, turn right and then take the first road left (Hovea Street).
The remainder of the walk wanders through old parts of O'Connor, with pretty streets, mature trees, and a variety of old and new domestic architecture.
13. Follow the footpath straight ahead on Hovea Street, then take the first right into Boronia Drive, and then the first left into Belah Street. Keep on the left side of Beluh Street on the footpath.
14. After Belah Street curves right, look out for the pedestrian footpath turning sharp left between the houses. Turn left to follow this footpath. When the footpath reaches another street (Scrivener Street), cross over then turn left again.
15. Walk on the footpath for a short distance along Scrivener Street to another pedestrian footpath turning sharp right between the houses. Take this footpath to another street (Jarrah Street), then turn right.
16. Continue a short distance then take the first left (Waratah Street), then the first right (Wandoo Street).
17. Continue on Wandoo Street to the t-junction (with Wattle Street). Turn left here and follow the footpath until a pedestrian crossing. Cross here to return to the Lyneham shops.

If you'd prefer to join one of our regular guided group walks, find out more at our guided walks page.