Winter is when the Perth Hills really comes into its own. The creeks start running, the waterfalls slowly wake up, the bush turns lush, and there’s every excuse to head for the hills for a long lunch, a scenic walk or a weekend stay. This is the season for roaring fires, red wine, hearty roasts and misty mornings that make the whole region feel magical. Here are our top ways to embrace winter in the Perth Hills, even on a rainy day.
Winter Wanders
Say goodbye to dusty gravel trails. Winter walking in the Perth Hills comes with big rewards: crisp air, cool temperatures, greener landscapes, and creeks that are flowing. It’s the perfect season to lace up the boots and hit a trail, especially when that walk leads to a lookout, a waterfall or a cosy pub lunch afterwards. The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, Kitty’s Gorge, the walk to Lesmurdie Falls and the trails around John Forrest National Park all feel especially inviting at this time of year.
Chase Waterfalls
Love to chase waterfalls? The Perth Hills is home to many spectacular seasonal cascades, and mid-winter into early spring is when they are at their dramatic best. Favourites like Noble Falls, Lesmurdie Falls, National Park Falls and Serpentine Falls all make brilliant day-trip material, whether you want a quick scenic stop or a full morning out on the trails. If you time your visit after a decent downpour, you’ll be rewarded with that just-woken-up rush of water. Can’t wait until waterfall season begins? Noble Falls is famously one of the first waterfalls to start flowing each year, and it’s also one of the easiest to access, making it a great early-winter option. See our waterfall blog for more.
Rainy-day Fun
Not every winter day needs to be spent outdoors – especially if it’s raining! Some are made for ducking into a café for a hot chocolate, browsing local shops or taking a fun workshop. In Mundaring, Amaroo Retreat & Spa is the perfect place to relax and decompress. For a little rainy-day fun with the kids, how about a retro skate around Rollerrama or take a tour of Perth Observatory’s museum. Art galleries are also great places to visit when the weather takes a turn.
Sunday Roasts
When the weather cools, a proper Sunday roast becomes a winter ritual. The Perth Hills has this category covered, with historic pubs and taverns dishing up generous plates of roast meat, veggies, Yorkshire puds and lashings of steaming gravy. Spots like Noble Falls Tavern, Mount Helena Tavern, and Jarrahdale Tavern are all excellent excuses to wear stretchy pants. You can find the full line-up in our blog.
Robust Red Wines
Image Credit: Tonon Vineyards & Winery
Winter and red wine are natural companions, and the Perth Hills delivers on both fronts. A day sipping shiraz in the Bickley Valley or a drop of Durif around the cellar doors of Mundaring is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, especially when paired with a cheese board, a long lunch or a fire nearby. The renowned Millbrook Winery makes the most of the season with intimate tasting experiences at their cosy cellar door. It’s a slower, richer way to enjoy the fruits of the region. Say cheers with a Cabernet this winter.
Log Fires
Image Credit: Naked Apple Cider House
Few things say winter in the Perth Hills quite like a crackling log fire. The region’s historic pubs and cosy dining rooms are made for this. The Kalamunda Hotel and Mundaring Hotel come into their own in cooler weather, while Last Drop Elizabethan brings old-world warmth with hearty food and house-made beers. Whether you’re drying off after a walk or settling in for the evening, putting your feet up by a fire is one of the simplest winter pleasures.
Winter Events
Image Credit: Fire Fable & Feast at Core Cider
Cooler weather is perfect for markets, intimate live gigs, and winter celebrations that give you another excuse to head up the hill. It’s worth checking the Experience Perth Hills events page before you leave home, because our ever-changing calendar is always packed with plenty of reasons to linger a little longer.
Cosy Winter Stays
Image Credit: Amaroo Retreat
Often, the best way to do winter is to stay the night. The Perth Hills is packed with winter-friendly stays, from romantic chalets and cosy cottages to farm stays and campgrounds where marshmallows around the campfire are mandatory. If a staycay close to home sounds like your kind of winter plan, check out our accommodation listings.
The Perth Hills are made for winter. From flowing waterfalls and cascading creeks to long fireside lunches, red wines and cosy stays, this is the season to rug up and head for the Perth Hills.