The Harvey River Walk

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Travelling down south is always fun; there are always lots of things to see and explore. If you thought the John Tognella Rest Stop, on Forrest Highway at the Dorsett Road turn off, was just an amenities area, you might want to think again. Not only is there some great artwork, painted by a local artist, there is also a fantastic two kilometre trail that has been given a new lease of life by the Harvey River Restoration Trust.


Situated at the south end of the Tognella rest stop, you'd only know it is there if you were looking. What looks like a fenced off area actually houses a gate to the trail. The trail is open to everyone.

If you feel like a stretch and a walk after the hour long journey from Perth this is the perfect place to do it. Take in the scenery and the history of the trail - it is signed with informative plaques explaining Indigenous and white interpretations of what has been happening along the walk as a result of dredging. For example, Aboriginal people view the land as sick (from dredging) and tell us 'to look and learn people'. A white man's version of this explanation follows - it discusses how the ecosystem is interconnected, making it vulnerable if one part of the system is not functioning properly.


Since 2000 the Waterboard stopped dredging the river and the Restoration Trust has done an amazing job of bringing the local waterway back to life. Natural bends in the river were straightened prior to 2000 to create a faster flow of water, which resulted in draining off irrigation water from local farms with devastating effects on the environment. As a result of this process there was very little life left in the water course and it also affected flora growing on the riverbanks.

Thanks to the Harvey River Restoration Trust, hemp lined banks stop erosion and swamps and billabongs have been re-established by promoting the growth of paperbarks. The banks of the river have also been replanted with native plants including, wattle, native iris, and native broom.


The Lake Clifton area is known for its limestone. Lime kilns were active in the area and were serviced by a railway line crossing just south of the river. It is amazing to walk in such a tranquil spot with a major highway just metres away; the noise from the highway is minimal and being on the trail makes you feel like you are in the middle of the bush.


At the John Tognella Rest Stop itself is artwork by local artist Irene Osborne. These artworks depict traditional life on the land some hundred years ago. The detail in these painting is amazing.



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