Overview - updated February 2026

This section of the coast extends from the southern boundary of the Woodman Point Reserve to the northern end of the Kwinana Industrial area - shown in the Figure below. The Henderson Marine Complex takes about half of coast and is not accessible to the public. This section is made up of a small public beach in the north between the Henderson Marine Complex and the Woodman Point Boat Ramp, the Henderson Marine Complex, the Henderson Cliff Reserve (Part of the Beeliar Regional Park), the Naval Base shacks and Challengers Beach.

Why I have not included this area as a coastal walk

Whilst there is around 6km of coast here, about 2.8km is inaccessible because of the Henderson Marine Complex, leaving about 2.2km of publicly accessible coast. However half of this (1.1km) is the the Henderson Cliff Reserve and there is no formal path here. There are informal paths but they run along the coast near the top of the cliffs which make them dangerous for walking (Plate 1). As well, the vegetation here is very fragile and there is an urgent need to rehabilitates all the informal tracks. The remaining 1.1km is through the Naval Base shacks (Plate 5) and a short 500m stretch along Challengers beach (Plate 6).

There is a formal viewing platform in the Henderson Cliff Reserve and supporting carpark (Plate 2). Plates 3 and 4 show the views from the platform north and south.

For all these reasons I am NOT recommended this area as a coastal walk, but the viewing platform is well worth a visit.

Getting to the viewing platform using public transport

The best way to get here using public transport is to catch the 548 Bus. The best bus stop is about 250 north of the access road to the viewing platform, just north of the access road into Cockburn International Kartway.

All the shacks are old, and there are variety of designs.

© Garry Middle, February 2026