Childhood is all about adventure and exploring, so what better excuse than to take the kiddos for a day out in the Perth Hills! There’s so much for the whole family to do amongst the gum trees, vineyards and orchards. There are outdoor activities, shady playgrounds, mini golf, museums, and a stack of nature! Be sure to check out the charming towns of the Perth Hills and their surrounds – they’re packed full of family fun!
Brilliant Bushwalks
The Perth Hills have many trails weaving through the bushland, including plenty of short, kid-friendly walks that are 4km and under. Take a short winter bushwalk to Lesmurdie Falls, in Mundy Regional Park, is in full flow. The look out platforms have spectacular views of the city too. Noble Falls and Berry Reserve near Gidgegannup are also beautiful cascades to discover, plus dogs are welcome on these walks. The relatively flat Railway Reserves Heritage Trail was once a railway network that connected Mundaring to its villages. Cut the trail into kid-friendly bites to ride or walk, with waterfalls, the Swan View Tunnel, family friendly pubs, and wildlife along the way.
Picnics & BBQ Spots
No trip to the Perth Hills would be complete without a visit to the famous Araluen Botanic Park. This Roleystone spot is stunning in any season, but spectacular in spring, when over 150,000 tulips are blooming. Spend the day at Lake Leschenaultia, a short drive from Mundaring, and best of all it’s FREE! Pack a picnic and enjoy swimming, mountain bike riding, bushwalking, canoeing, MTB trails and their new train themed playground. It’s Perth’s best value day out.
Explore National Parks
One of Australia’s oldest conservation areas, John Forrest National Park, is a beautiful spot for a family picnic. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos bouncing through the bush, wander along a bush trail, explore the spooky Swan View Tunnel, and little kids will love the nature playground. Serpentine National Park is home to the stunning Serpentine Falls and has plenty of picnic and BBQ facilities.
Hit MTB Trails
If your kids love some two wheeled action – the Perth Hills is home to the best mountain bike trails in WA! Hit the Kalamunda Mountain Bike Park through the Paulls Valley bushland. Or head further south to the Langford Park MTB network in the forests of Jarrahdale. There are trails to suit all skills, from beginner to extreme!
Leafy Playgrounds
Kalamunda’s Stirk Park is a beautiful spot for a play at its huge adventure playground and skate park. The playground has something for everyone, from toddlers to teens. There’s a tall tube slide, flying fox, and so much more to explore. We love to kick up the autumn leaves (annually, during May).
The shady Mundaring Sculpture Park has a big focus on nature play, a big slide and a small water play area. Quirky sculptures are found all around the park – there is so much to explore and discover. Playgrounds at Churchman’s Brook Dam and Borrello Park in Roleystone are also worth a visit.
Hills’ History
Kalamunda History Village is the largest open-air museum in WA. With a beautifully restored steam train, plus train station, school house, cottages, vehicles, (and an old dunny!) it gives kids a unique taste of what Perth Hills’ life was like a century ago. There’s a rich history to uncover at Mundaring Weir. Wander along the Weir wall, find out its fascinating story at the No1 Pump Station (temporarily closed), picnic by the nature playground, or take a bushwalk to the Golden Lookout – you can easily spend a few hours here. Mundaring Hills History Museum is located in the centre of Mundaring village and will give a fascinating look into the history of Mundaring and surrounds.
Find a Fairy
Put your fairy wings on! Grab a fairy door trail map from the Perth Hills Kalamunda Visitor Centre, and keep your eyes peeled for the tiny decorated doors throughout the town (and in Stirk Park too!). It’s great, free fun! At the old Pioneer Village in Perth Hills Armadale, you’ll find the cute as a button Fairies Forever, where little kids can let their imagination run wild.
Energetic Adventures
Choose your own adventure in the Perth Hills. From summer swimming and water sliding at Kalamunda Water Park, to horse riding through the with Jarrahdale Equestrian or Zia Park Equestrian in Gidgegannup, and teen-friendly activities like abseiling at Mountain Quarry or orienteering at Lake Leschenaultia and paintballing in Gidgegannup. Kalamunda’s Rollerama is retro-tastic fun, perfect for a rainy-day roller skate.
Fruit Picking and Festivals
Perth Hills’ orchards play host to seasonal fruit picking festivals. S & R Orchard has many annual festivals; blossom in spring, orange leaves in autumn, and a Christmas fruit picking festival in summer. Core Cider also offers orchard tours, and fruit picking in season. Picnic in Raeburn Orchards year round, or in autumn when the stunning persimmon trees lose their rich red leaves.
Mini Golf and Disc Golf
Masonmill is packed with things to do with the family. From a challenging mini-golf course, to a playground, fish feeding, a café, and beautiful gardens. Mundaring Disc Golf Club is Australia’s premier disc golf course and something different to try!
Twilight Tours
Little night owls will love to take a Nocturnal Tour at Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our nocturnal neighbours in the Perth Hills. For those that are fascinated by the universe, head to Bickley’s Perth Observatory for a Night Sky Tour using an impressive collection of telescopes.
Aussie Animals
You can spot native birds and wildlife throughout the Perth Hills, but at Armadale Reptile Centre, Cohunu Koala Park, andKaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre you can get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most iconic animals, birds and scaly creatures – even cuddle a koala.
So whether it’s a weekend, or the school holidays, be sure to head to the Perth Hills for a fun-filled day out for all the family!
