Those long hot summer days are over for another year. Amazing autumn is here!
This time of year really excites us – there’s so much happening in the Perth Hills over the next few months. March, April and May promise cooler weather, plus vibrant autumn festivals, and yes, those brilliantly golden shades of falling leaves will be here before we know it. Here’s the down low on what to do in the Perth Hills this autumn.
Check out Autumn Festivals
Autumn’s arrival is welcomed in the Perth Hills with the autumn edition of the very popular Kalamunda Garden Festival, held in Stirk Park. On March 3, there’ll be gardening gurus, guest speakers, food trucks, plus many stalls brimming with plants, products and other gardening goodies. With the summer’s vintage well behind them, the Perth Hills wineries are gearing up for the harvest season. The Bickley Harvest Festival (May 3 to 5) is not to be missed! From distillery tours and long lunches to wine and cheese tastings, plus lots of live entertainment – it’s a great day out.
Hit the Walking Trails
Make the most of the cooler weather, pull on your walking shoes and get exploring. A vast network of trails traverses the Perth Hills from Gidgegannup in the north, to Serpentine in the south. The Perth Hills are home to beautiful short walks, hikes through national parks, and world class trails to WA’s Great Southern region. The Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a diverse range of protected fauna and flora, opens up for hiking season bookings in May each year.
Bask in Autumn Orchards
While it may be autumn, it’s not until late April or early May when the autumn colour really comes out to play. The very Instagrammable S&R Orchards Autumn Festival provides a stunning backdrop for a picnic amongst the stone fruit leaves or picture with fun autumn themed props. Over at Roleystone’s Raeburn Orchards, it’s all about the deep red-hue of their persimmon trees, which creates rows of crimson leaves that are as stunning in real life as they are in the professional photos. Plus, you can grab freshly picked produce from their orchard shop, as well as an excellent coffee.
Enjoy a Lazy Lunch
Restaurants, wineries, and bistros all around the Perth Hills are always a tasty idea for a lazy lunch. Be sure to book, as many places get busy, especially on weekends. Millbrook Winery, in a quiet Jarrahdale valley, serves up nationally acclaimed food and wine – much of it sourced from the property’s kitchen garden. Award winning Seven Sins is one of the regions most beloved dining spots, perched right on the scarp of the Roleystone hills. Find more Perth Hills dining inspiration here.
Picnic in a Park
The Perth Hills has some of the very best places in Perth to crunch the autumn leaves under your feet. Picnic under the changing leaves at Mundaring Sculpture Park, or in nearby Fred Jacoby Park. Or why not explore the charming town of Kalamunda and kick up the leaves at Stirk Park? With the new adventure playground and world class skate park proving a bit hit with the kids, it makes the perfect family picnic spot.
Pick up Autumn Produce at a Local Market or Farm Gate
There are so many weekly and monthly markets in the Perth Hills. From locally grown produce at a farmers market, to hand crafted treasures at an artisan market. On a drive around Karragullen, Pickering Brook, and the Bickley Valley there are plenty of packing sheds selling freshly picked fruit and veggies too – so be sure to bring an esky along. Find a Perth Hills market and other events here.
Autumn at Araluen
While Roleystone’s Araluen Botanic Park is so popular in spring, it’s well worth a visit during autumn too. As well as its deciduous trees changing to autumn colours, there’s their world-renowned camellias, azaleas, and autumn roses blooming. Pack up a picnic to enjoy by the old swimming pool. Plus, the park often holds special events for Easter, the school holidays and Mother’s Day, so keep your eyes peeled!
Play a Round of Golf
Araluen Estate has to be one of the prettiest places to putt in WA. The rolling Roleystone hills, that are teeming with kangaroos, make for a challenging and fun round. 18 holes too much? Why not challenge the family to an easier round of mini golf at the stunning Masonmill; the winner can buy lunch at the café!
Bask in a Beer Garden
Now those sizzling summer days are over, it’s a little more comfortable to chill out in a beer garden. From heritage hotels on the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail (aka the Pedal and Pint Trail), to Aussie-style taverns (like Gidge’s Noble Falls Tavern or the Jarrahdale Tavern), and even a little slice of Ye Olde England at Bedfordale’s Last Drop Elizabethan, the pubs of the Perth Hills will fill you with hearty pub food, and have you coming back for more.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Trade the beach for the sandy shores of Lake Leschenaultia. Here you can swim, paddle board, ride a bike, picnic and more. There’s a new train-themed kids’ playground too, as well as canoe hire on weekends. Love some two-wheeled action? Hit one of the many cycling and mountain biking networks throughout the Perth Hills. And for animal lovers, why not join a guided horse trail along a bush track with your mates?
Start planning your next awesome autumn Perth Hills adventure on our website.
The Perth Hills are closer than you think.
