Perth Hills Mundaring Day Trip Guide

If you’re looking for a tree change, Perth Hills Mundaring is the perfect day trip destination for a little rest and rejuvenation in the great outdoors. Nestled just 34 kilometres east of Perth, it’s close and convenient enough to jump in the car anytime you feel the need to escape the hustle and bustle for a while. Home to WA’s oldest national park, Mundaring Weir Precinct, Lake Leschenaultia, and more nature trails than you could poke a stick at, the region is beautiful any time of the year, but particularly in the spring sunshine.

Perth Hills Mundaring Day Trip Itinerary

Sundays are perfect for discovering local arts and culture, immersing yourself in nature, or simply relaxing in the sunshine at the garden of a quirky cafe, or one of the many historic taverns that dot the old railway line, now the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail. In Mundaring, you’ll find it all, and we hazard a guess, you won’t want to leave.

9:00 am: Explore John Forrest National Park

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Heading up the hill on Great Eastern Highway, take the Scenic Drive 201 which winds through John Forrest National Park. On your way, make a stop to marvel at the wonder of nature at its best. Here, you will discover stunning waterfalls and wildflowers — if you’re visiting in spring — and plenty of walking and adventure cycle trails if you’re down for a dose of cardio.

10:00 am: Glen Forrest Gourmet

Credit: Glen Forrest Gourmet

Kick-start your day with a pick-me-up coffee hit and a tasty sweet treat from local favourite, Glen Forrest Gourmet. You’ll find this delightful little gem right alongside the park, where you can take a stroll along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail or check out the replica train in the playground.

11:00 pm: Step back in time at Mahogany Inn and Distillery

Credit: Mahogany Inn and Distillery

Mahogany Inn and Distillery — also known as “Ye Olde Mahogany Inne” — is the oldest hotel on what was once York Road and is now Great Eastern Highway. The inn began its legacy as a military barracks and over time evolved into a wayside house selling alcohol, convict depot, and family residence. It stands as a stalwart of heritage with stories of yesteryear woven into its walls, so naturally it’s a fantastic place to gain an insight into the past. If you’re in the mood for a tipple, grab one of the in-house distilled spirits and embrace the essence of its heritage.

12:00 pm: Mundaring Arts Centre

Credit: Mundaring Arts Centre

Mundaring Arts Centre is all about fostering artistic expression and community through its annual program of exhibitions, workshops, and events. While you’re in Mundaring, head there to check out what’s on.

1:00 pm: Stop for lunch at Cafe Mojo Mundaring

Credit: Cafe Mojo Mundaring

Feeling peckish? Park up at the quirky and award-winning Cafe Mojo Mundaring for a lunchtime feed. Here, the fondly termed Mojo Makers serve wholesome and sustainably sourced dishes either indoor, undercover, or in the beautiful garden. The best part? The venue is pet friendly and boasts a kids play area, ideal for if you’re bringing the whole family along.

2:30 pm: Discover Mundaring Weir

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Aside from being an idyllic place for a scenic drive, picnic with friends, or bush walk among nature, Mundaring Weir is also an important part of WA’s heritage. Known as one of the world’s greatest engineering projects, the weir — which was completed in 1903 — was the start of the water pipeline that pumped water to the Kalgoorlie goldfields, some 560 kilometres away. Here, you can learn about the brilliant engineer behind the project, explore the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, and attempt one of the several walking trails around Mundaring Weir.

While you’re in the area, make a pitstop at the 1898-built Mundaring Weir Hotel which housed the workers constructing the weir. These days, you can relax in the beautiful beer garden, feed the cheeky birds that frequent, and delight in live music on Sundays.

4:00 pm: Lake Leschenaultia

Credit: Lake Leschenaultia

To perfectly wrap up your Perth Hills Mundaring day trip, make your way to the picturesque, calm waters of Lake Leschenaultia in Chidlow. If you’d like to navigate the area on foot, take the three-kilometre walk trail around the lake and keep your eyes peeled for numerous native birds, kangaroos, possums or echidnas that live in the area. Alternatively, if you’re feeling extra energetic, give the 10-kilometre off-road bush cycling trails a spin.

If you’re partial to a picnic, the excellent picnic and barbeque facilities, make this the place to do it! Pick a perch on the shaded lawn and let the kids have a paddle or explore the magnificent nature playground. If you’re visiting the lake on a weekend during the summer months, you can hire stand-up paddleboards or canoes — just note the last hire is at 2:30 pm.

6:30 pm: Dinner at The Lounge at Amaroo

Credit: Amaroo Retreat and Spa

The Lounge at Amaroo is a semi-fine dining restaurant and bar set within the award-winning, luxurious Amaroo Retreat and Spa. It’s open for dinner seven days a week, from 5:30 pm, and you can expect everything from grilled prawns and pork belly to barbeque broccoli and steak.

Stay the night

Credit: Amaroo Retreat and Spa

If you’re a nature enthusiast, Mundaring is a fantastic destination for a convenient weekend getaway, so why not stay the night? With so many unique, boutique, and out-of-the-ordinary accommodation options to choose from, deciding which one is the hardest part.

For a stunning luxury chalet enveloped by the beautiful Perth Hills, Amaroo Retreat & Spa is a beautiful option. For somewhere dog-friendly, try Mountolive Studio in Hovea and for that luxury meets eco-travel vibe, Quenda Guesthouse is lovely. Or for something completely different, The Carriage is a gorgeously decorated South Australian train carriage that was once part of the Barossa Valley Hotel. It’s been lovingly restored to transport you back to a time of luxury and decadence so all you’ll need to do is put your feet up and relax.