Claisebrook Cove Art Walk, East Perth
Location: Claisebrook Village, East Perth
Distance: 5.4km loop
Grade: 1/2
Trail Marker: Unmarked Trail. Download Map or KML file below
Duration: 1-2 hours
Cost: $0, free entry
Toilet Facilities: Yes, at start/finish
Dog Friendly: Yes
Date Cycled: 28th October 2018
With a beautiful day in Perth forecast we were looking for a new adventure and decided to get the deadly treadlys out and go exploring around the Derbal Yaragan (Swan River). I had heard about some cool art along the East Perth side of the Swan River so did a bit of research and found the Claisebrook Cove Art Trail. Not a huge amount of information was available in relation to distance and time required but I was able to download a map and info on the art sculptures so armed with that info we drove to East Perth and began this new adventure. Whilst we really enjoyed adventure, the map really does need updating, in fact checkpoints were actually missing which created a treasure hunt as we had to guess which way to go from checkpoint 15. The images which are small on the map, didn't always reflect what we were looking for which had us a little confused at times and we couldn't find checkpoint 26 at the Chinese Consulate so only 26 out of 27 artworks found on this trip.
The start point for the Claisebrook Art Trail is on Royal Street, opp Regal Place right next to the bus stop. Art pieces and displays include; Heritage Map by Malcolm MacGregor, Small Figurative Bronzes by Greg James, Theatre Seats by Mark Cox, 'Peace Grove' - Not actually part of the trail but a nice piece to view anyway.
Continuing on along the banks of the river we arrive at the next lot of pieces, Illa Kuri by Toogarr Morrison. The whole area along the riverbank at Victoria Gardens has been renamed Ngango Batta's Mooditcher, translated as 'Sunshine's Living Strength' - a place of hope and friendship for Aboriginal people. The winding pathway found at this checkpoint is named Illa Kuri and describes the chain of lakes and wetlands before the city was built. The four Totem Granites seen below represent the special groupings of the Bibbulmun nation which is devided into two main sacred totemic entities; Manitch and Wordung. The Manitch are the totem people of the sacred white cockatoo and the Wordung are the totem people of the sacred crow. Each is bound by the marriage laws, universal to the Bibbulmun nation. The law divided the two main totemic groups into four secondary totemic skin groups named; Tondarriik, Ballarruuk, Didarriik and Naagarruuk. Marriage can only take place between people of the opposite totem.
In the same vicinity you will find further art including; Yoondoorup Boorna by Alma Toomath, Charnock Woman Mosaic by Jenny Dawson, Sandra Hill and Miv Egan and The Victoria Gardens Shelter by Ralph Drexel You can then make your way down the stairs to the next lot of checkpoints.
Just around the bend is where you will find Trafalgar Road Culvert by Nola Farman, Channel Markers by Malcolm MacGregor, Macey Walk Sculptured Seats by Mark Cox and the Sea Queen and Standing Figure by Tony Jones, We continued on around the Cove passing the other Channel Marker, around the jetty's and out to Mardalup Park. Mardalup Park is on the site of the old Perth Gasworks. The poem here is a palindrome about gas, meaning you can read it forward and backwards and is set into a concrete spiral. The display called Concrete Poem by Rob Finlayson and PlanE. The final piece in the parklands on show is Steel Magnolias by Jon Denaro.
It's now time to leave the parklands, up the big stairs and head into more of the industrial area. Art on display includes; Diver and Guard Dogs by Russell Sheridan, Smoke Stack Wind Vane by Stuart Green, Drinking Fountain by Nola Farman, The Source by Nola Farman with Tract (WA), The Weeping Wall by Nola Farman, Old Fjord Tract (WA) by Nola Farman, The Return of the Tea Tree by Nola Farman, Turtle Walk by Nola Farman, Sound Chamber by Nola Farman, The Greenway Stream by Nola Farman, The Impossible Triangle by Brian McKay, Chinese Consulate by Kevin Draper and Red Surveyor by Jon Tarry.
Well that's another beautiful trail in Perth enjoyed. It was nice to do something a little bit different from the usual bush type trails. If you haven't checked out this one I highly recommend it especially with the kids as it can be used as a little treasure hunt, search for the artwork.
