Feature Image: Main image of the Swan View Tunnel is by Bronwyn Wells.
So you think you’ve seen the Perth Hills? Think again! There’s so much more to the Perth Hills than pretty picnic spots and a good Sunday drive. We’re talking world-class trails, remarkable engineering, spectacular natural attractions and food worth planning your whole day around. And this is all found right in our own backyard.
The Perth Hills are home to amazing attractions with stories, scenery and experiences that deserve a little more limelight. If you’ve been looking further afield for your next adventure, consider this your nudge to drive east and head up to the Perth Hills.
Here’s our ultimate Perth Hills bucket list – how many have you ticked off?
Hike Western Australia’s World-Famous Trail
Lace up for the Bibbulmun Track, one of the world’s great long-distance walking trails. Spanning 1,000 kilometres, winding through bushland from the Perth Hills to Albany. Not up for the whole lot? Even a short stroll on “The Bib” delivers. Start from its northern terminus, in the heart of Kalamunda, or hop on near Mundaring Weir or Jarrahdale. More here.
Stand Atop a Global Engineering Wonder
Walk along the dam wall of Mundaring Weir, the centerpiece of the 1890s Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. When completed, this vast 566km pipeline was celebrated as the longest and most ambitious fresh-water pipeline ever constructed. Snap a photo over the water, by the ornate Valve Tower, then delve deeper into the story of the weir and Engineer C.Y. O’Connor at No 1 Pump Station, open Sunday afternoons. More here.
Drink a Pint at the Perth Hills’ Oldest Pub
Pull up a stool at the Mahogany Inn & Distillery, dating back to 1839. The heritage hotel holds the crown as the oldest building still operating as a hospitality venue in the Perth Hills. Once known as “The Prince of Wales”, and a haunt of bushrangers including Moondyne Joe, today it’s all cosy vibes, casual dining and artisanal spirits. You can even stay overnight. There are so many heritage hotels in the Perth Hills, see our guide here.
Hike to Perth’s Tallest Waterfall
Watch Lesmurdie Falls tumble 50 meters over the Darling Range escarpment in winter and spring. Perth’s tallest and most spectacular waterfall is just a 30-minute drive from the CBD. Take a hike to the lookouts at the top of the falls, for sweeping views, you might even spot Rottnest on a clear day. More here.
Feast at a Nationally Celebrated Winery
Head to historic Jarrahdale – home to beautiful Millbrook Winery. This nationally celebrated vineyard and restaurant is renowned for its “no-waste” philosophy. Pretty much everything on your plate is grown entirely in the on-site kitchen garden. Grab a spot on the cellar door’s deck to sip an award-winning wine with picturesque views over the lake, gardens and bushland beyond. More here.
Stroll Through WA’s Biggest Spring Floral Display
Wander through the terraced gardens of Araluen Botanic Park during their annual It’s Yates Springtime at Araluen Tulip Festival, in early spring. It boasts the state’s largest, most vibrant collection of over 300,000 blooming spring bulbs set amongst beautiful landscaped gardens of stone steps, heritage features and flowing creeks. More here.
Image credit: Amanda Carlin
Explore Western Australia’s Oldest National Park
Head to John Forrest National Park, officially declared in 1900 as WA’s very first national park. Beyond the bushwalks and picnic spots, take a historic step back in time through the famous Swan View Railway Tunnel, found along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail. Be sure to check out the Jane Brook Elevated Walkway too. More here.
Image credit: DBCA
Tackle the World’s Longest Continuous Bike Trail
Set off on a section of the Munda Biddi Trail, a world-class off road bike corridor stretching over 1,000 kilometres from Mundaring to Albany. It officially holds the title of the longest continuous, off-road cycling trail of its kind on Earth. More here.
Image credit: Munda Biddi Foundation
Look Through WA’s Oldest Telescope
Book a night tour at the Perth Observatory in Bickley. As Western Australia’s oldest continuously operating observatory, it houses deep-space telescopes that have served as the state’s gateway to the stars for well over a century. More here.
Image credit: Aero Vista Imagery
Explore Serpentine National Park
At Serpentine National Park, the Serpentine River comes thundering over high granite outcrops after winter rains. Serpentine Falls are just one of the highlights here. This is a trails hub, from the easy stroll to the waterfall to the climb up Baldwins Bluff for sweeping views or a longer Kitty’s Gorge adventure. Pack a picnic, grab a shady table and keep an eye out for the park’s curious resident kangaroos. More here.
Shop the Perth Hills’ Premiere Artisan Hubs
Time your visit for the Kalamunda Farmers Market(Sunday mornings), Mundaring Garden and Farmers Market(Saturday mornings) or the SJ Farmers Market(Saturday mornings). There’s something to discover all year round at the region’s weekly markets; local artisan wares, freshly picked produce, and so many homegrown goodies.
Image credit: SJ Farmers Market
Conquer the Escarpment’s Most Famous Hairpin Drive
Experience the Zig Zag Scenic Drive, a narrow, one-way road that snakes down the face of the Darling Scarp. Originally built as a railway line transporting timber, it remains the ultimate spot for unmatched panoramic views of the Perth skyline. More here.
Have a Black Cockatoo Land on Your Shoulder
Get closer to WA’s most remarkable native animals at two Perth Hills conservation centres. At Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, get the chance to meet the magnificent black cockatoos being cared for and rehabilitated, and you may even have one land on your shoulder. Over in Lesmurdie, Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centregives you the chance to see native wildlife up close and discover the important work to rescue, treat and release injured animals back into the wild.
Image credit: Off The Beaten Track WA
Grab a Bite at a Perth Hills Bakery
The Perth Hills is packed with country-style bakeries. Fuel up with a classic Aussie meat pie or flaky croissant, as you explore the old timber and railway towns. Blue Sky Bread or Gidgegannup Bakery are delicious spots to grab coffee and fresh bakes before hilling the trails. Check out our big guide to bakeries in the Perth Hills here.
Step Back in Time at Kalamunda History Village
Take a dip or paddle a canoe at Lake Leschenaultia. Originally built in 1897 as a vital water source for steam trains, this massive body of water is now a hub for eco adventures with walk trails, an MTB network, freshwater swimming lake, picnic facilities and camping. More here.
Swim in a Historic Railway Reservoir
Take a dip or paddle a canoe at Lake Leschenaultia. Originally built in 1897 as a vital water source for steam trains, this massive body of water is now a hub for eco adventures with walk trails, an MTB network, freshwater swimming lake, picnic facilities and camping. More here.
Discover Wildflowers at the Perth Hills’ Most Dramatic Cascades
During winter or spring, hike through F.R. Berry Reserve to see the rush of its seasonal brook. This pristine bushland reserve offers the ultimate display of roaring cascades along Wooroloo Brook, crashing through exposed red granite boulders. It’s also home to many rare wildflowers, only found in WA. More here.
Take a Wander Around Generations-old Orchards
Visit in May for red-orange leaves, early spring for clouds of white and pink blossom, or come back when the fruit is ripe. Some orchards around Bedfordale, Karragullen, Carmel and Pickering Brook offer pick-your-own experiences – worth rolling up your sleeves for. S&R Orchard is famous for its seasonal festivals, while Raeburn Orchards and Willow Springs Orchard are beautiful spots to visit year-round, and you can pick up fresh produce from their packing sheds.
Where else can you start a walk to Albany, swim in a lake built for steam trains and take a scenic drive or ride down an old railway route?
The Perth Hills have more than a few stories to tell. They’re closer than you think.