Enabling an immersive experience
"Enabling an immersive experience" is one of the three core design principles that has guided the development of concept designs as part of the City's Coastal Boardwalk Feasibility Study.
The concept design for the Scarborough-Trigg coastal boardwalk aims to create a meaningful connection between people and place.
A central element of this approach is “enabling an immersive experience”, a design principle focused on deepening visitor engagement with the natural and cultural values of the local environment.
The concept has been designed to engage all five senses, enhancing the visitor experience, encouraging mindfulness and respect for the land.
The proposed boardwalk follows the contours of the dunes, creating a quieter atmosphere away from traffic noise.
Importantly, the selected journey also diverts pedestrians away from the busy West Coast Highway, separating them from cyclists and e-scooter users on the existing shared path.
This not only enhances the immersive experience but also reduces congestion and improves safety for all users.
In select sections, handrails are intentionally omitted to heighten the sense of immersion and allow users to feel more connected to the landscape.
Materials have been carefully chosen to blur the boundary between the built form and nature, using colours and textures that harmonise with the surrounding environment.
The sense of place is enriched by Nyoongar cultural elements, developed in consultation with members of the Ngalang Maya Wangkiny group.
Six large gathering spaces are embedded into the design, with the boardwalk’s primary nodes aligned with the six Nyoongar seasons, featuring interpretive signage and seating designed for comfort and reflection.
The storytelling extends to the shade structures, designed in the form of a humpback whale tail. Whales – or “mamang” – are seen as spiritual beings and guardians of the sea in Nyoongar culture.
Humpback mothers can be seen with their new calves off the Trigg to Scarborough coast from September to November on their return migration to Antarctic waters.
Together, these elements aim to ensure that the proposed boardwalk is not just a path through the dunes, but a sensory and cultural journey — one that invites users to slow down, connect and experience the coastal landscape in a new and meaningful way.
To learn more and submit your feedback by 30 August, visit the Coastal Boardwalk Feasibility Study webpage.
