6 Best Hikes in Perth, Australia -

6 Best Hikes in Perth, Australia

Trying to find some hiking place in Perth to escape in nature this weekend and you don’t have any idea which hiking place to go to? Don’t worry! WWB writer, Andrew, has you covered with 6 best hikes in Perth so you can immerse yourself in nature this weekend!

Did you know that Perth has the world’s largest fish, which is a Whale Shark in Ningaloo Reef (which is crazy!) and it is also under UNESCO World Heritage that was added in 2011. What Perth can offer is endless, including the famous The Perth Mint , accompanied by the beautiful view of the Swan River that is perfect for any outdoor activities.

With countries around the world starting to ease their traveling and movement restrictions, it is a good sign that things are going to be better (hopefully it will be better!) and we can finally start hiking and to be at one with nature.

Although Perth is surrounded by beautiful nature , you’d be very surprised that some of the best hiking spots in Perth are located not far from the city of Perth. If you are looking for the best hikes around Perth, this list can help you to start planning for your upcoming hikes!

Why hike in Perth?

If the stunning views of Perth hiking and walking spots aren’t enough for you to make a plan to start hiking (seriously, you need to plan it now!), here are some of the facts and reasons why you should start to consider hiking in Perth.

History

The oldest park in Perth is John Forrest National Park established since 1898. Perth also has the nation’s longest coastal walking trails which is the Cape to Cape Walk Track which has been mentioned on CNN as being one of the top 23 world best hiking trails.

Accessibility

Almost all the hiking spots that are available in Perth are easily accessible by public transport that can take you directly to the hiking spot. However, if you decide to use a car to drive your way to the hiking spots, don’t worry!

There are packing facilities where you can leave your car and start hiking to enjoy nature and the breathtaking views of each hike.

There’s something that everyone can enjoy

If you are worried that the hikes in Perth are challenging, don’t worry! Perth has hiking trails that are suited to everyone’s capability from short hikes to long hikes.

Some of the best hiking trails in Perth are not too challenging so you can have a nice and easy hike along the way.

If you just want to have a nice walk in Perth, I got you covered as well, so that you can still enjoy the beautiful flow of the river and be able to enjoy a picnic while observing the stunning views of the city of Perth.

Photo by dreamypixel on Pixabay

6 Best Hikes in Perth that can take your breath away

Kitty Gorge Walk Trail

Photo by Richard Burlton on Unsplash

The total distance of the hike is 16.5km. It is only one hour away from Perth by car and about 2 hours by using public transport .

Kitty Gorge Walk Trail has so much to offer with fallen trees scattered around the walking trail and beautiful trees and wildlife flowers that you will encounter.

Be ready for the gradual downhill and uphill with flat trails along the walking trails to the falls and on the way back as well. But, be aware of some steep sections and rocky trails around Serpentine National Park (you will encounter it towards the start or end which depending on which point you start from).

When you reach the end of the hike, you will be rewarded with the gorgeous setting of the trail surrounded by waterfalls, the sound of the river flowing, pine trees, and the feeling of being immersed together in nature with the sound of wildlife throughout the walking trail . You will see water flowing from the Serpentine Dam that is located about 11km away from the walking trail.

Tip: Start hiking in the late Winter ( About End of August ) or Early Spring ( About September or October) because it tends to be very busy and it will be crowded with people during the Summer and Autumn.

How to get there:

Drive

It will be an hour drive if you are driving from Perth to Jarrahdale which is about 60km away from Perth and there is parking at Chestnut Road.

Bus

There is a bus transport that can take you from Perth to Jarrahdale, but you need to walk about 2km from Kingsbury Dr. Bus Station to Kitty Gorge Walk Trail.

Distance :16.5km
Difficulty Level: 7 / 10
Steep Level : 3 / 5 ( Some parts will be steep but not all of the hiking trails will be steep )
Estimated Hike Duration: Three to Four Hours
Fee: AUS15 if you start your walking point at Serpentine National Park or Free if you start your walking trails at Jarrahdale
Dogs: Not Allowed
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/wvdP76aL6fXpQWtR7

Lesmurdie Falls National Park

dog friendly hike in Perth — Lesmurdie Falls National Park, Perth

Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

If you have the feeling of having a hike but you are short of time, this quick hike can fix your hiking crave!

Lesmurdie Falls National Park is one of the best nature walks in Perth. It is also a dog-friendly hike in Perth with beautiful waterfalls with a mix of rough dirt tracks and shallow lakes. It offers multiple walking trails that are best suited to your liking.

If you are just wanting to have a relaxing hiking experience and enjoy the surrounding nature, this short hiking trail of 1.5km each way (total of 3km) will allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery where you can see the city of Perth and wildlife .

With such a scenic view, you can take an insta-worthy picture with the waterfall flowing from upstream and accompany the background of the sky with clouds. But, the best time to take a beautiful picture is during Spring or late Winter from 7 am to 8.30 am when the sun rises, accompanied by the waterfalls and the view of Perth.

Tip: If you have the energy to hike the full 3km trail, you can hike up to Peak and see all the beautiful waterfalls on the way to the top of the hikes with long waterfalls that can take your breath away with nature surrounding the waterfall.

How to get there :

Drive

It is a 40-minute drive from Perth to Lesmurdie Falls National Park which is about 24km from Perth

Train

You can take a train from Perth Train Station to Oats Street and catch a bus from Oats Street to George Road at Lesmurdie before walking about 1.6km from George Road Bus Stop to Lesmurdie Falls National Park

Distance: 3km
Difficulty Level: 5 / 10
Steep Level: 2 / 5 ( If you doing the full trail, when you are near to the peak, you will need to climb uphill before reaching it )
Estimated Hike Duration: One hour (If you do the full trail ) / Thirty Minutes ( Until the Lesmrdie Brooks)
Fee: Free
Dogs: Allowed
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/yb95Mu5yPQi1BYMd8

Bells Rapids Walk Trail

The Bells Rapids Walk Trail is known to be one of the best walks in Perth to bring your dog to hike together alongside you. If you feel like having an easy hike with your dog, this walking trail is perfect for you because there are only a few trails that are not too steep when you are ascending and descending.

During your 5.5km hike, you will encounter the spectacular Swan River at the start of your hike.

Tip: Look out for the steep trail towards the end of your hiking trail to the top because it might be a bit difficult but when reaching the end of the hiking trail, you can see beautiful mountains alined with each other.

Be careful when hiking down because there’s a property that is privately owned.

How to avoid it: If you are at the end of the hike, you will hike down and you will see a gate that will separate two routes. Take the path on the right side after you pass the gate. The left side of the gate is the property that is privately owned, which you arent allowed through.

How to get there:

Drive

You can drive about 45 minutes from Perth via State Route 51 (33km ) to the end of Cathedral Avenue around 385-387 Cathedral Avenue (https://goo.gl/maps/mMbCdnX6qUVDB31W9) before walking along at Orlov Trail for 5 to 10 minutes.

Distance: 5.5km
Difficulty Level : 6 / 10
Steep Level: 2 / 5 ( The last few minutes of the hike before reaching the top will be steep but afterward, the return trail will not be too steep)
Estimated Hike Duration: One and a half hour to two hours
Fee: Free
Dogs: Allowed
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/knFf69hkiCiXGM5N7

Bibbulmun Track

Photo by Joshua Stannard on Unsplash

If you are looking for a challenging hike in Perth, Bibbulmun Tracks is one of the best places to hike in Perth. It will test your fitness level because the hike is quite steep with an elevation gain of about 500m from the start point of Sullivan Rock.

There are two mountain peaks you can hike and enjoy stunning views which are called Mount Vincent and Mount Cuthbert.

The full distance of the hike is 15.4km. The hike will start at Sullivan Rock to Mount Vincent then continue on Mount Cuthbert. You can enjoy the two mountain peaks that will be offered during the hike with stunning views.

Tip: If you just want to enjoy one mountain peak without doing the full track, you can start your journey from Sullivan Rock to Mount Vincent which is about a 5.2km return trail.

However, if you decide to do the full trail, there’s a stopover point called Monadnocks Campsite.You can stop and have your lunch or a snack to energize you before you continue your hike again.

How to get there:

Drive

You can drive for one hour and five minutes via Albany Hwy / State Route 30 and it will be on the south side of Albany Hwy (https://goo.gl/maps/DWacdA8C1pD35xsH6).

Distance: 15.4km
Difficulty Level : 8 / 10
Steep Level: 4 / 5 ( Be prepared and take it slowly because there is an elevation of about 500m, it will drain you mentally and physically and it is better to take it slow to make sure your body has enough air due to the elevation )
Estimated Hike Duration: Two hours ( Until Mount Vincent ) to Five hours ( Doing Mount Vincent and Mount Cuthbert together )
Fee: Free
Dogs: Not Allowed
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/cuxnhqpNkVafQyEC8

Canning River Regional Park

Photo by Mabel Amber on Pixabay

The 6 km hiking trail of Canning River Regional Park is a hidden gem in Perth.

It is only located about a 30 minute drive from Perth and if you feel like doing canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or even fishing, it has many activities that are on offer that can satisfy your interests.

However, if you want to enjoy the nature that the Regional Park has to offer, you can go to the Butterfly, Bird, and Bridges Loop to enjoy the wide diversity of wildlife and woodlands throughout the hiking trail.

In 1874, it was home to an architect called Francis Bird, who was one of Perth’s leading architects. It was called Woodloes Homestead which is still around to this day.

Tip: The Regional Park walk trails are dual usage, please be aware of your surroundings because the trails are used together with pedestrians and cyclists as well. Also, do not forget to bring a swimsuit or fishing equipment to cool yourself down or if you want to do some fishing with your friends or family.

How to get there:

Train

You can take a train from Perth Train Station to Cannington Station before taking a bus from Cannington to Metcalfe Road before walking about 1.5km to Canning River Regional Park

Drive

You can drive about 30 minutes from Perth to the Regional Park where there’s a car park called Ferndale Flats Carpark (https://goo.gl/maps/3TZqxKwwQH6JYvrb9)

Distance: 6km
Difficulty Level : 5 / 10
Steep Level: 1 / 5
Estimated Hike Duration: One to one and a half hour
Fee: Free
Dogs: Not Allowed
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/wTCHQzfCE26qFCXcA

Cape to Cape Walk Track

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

It is one of the best walking trails in Perth to walk in with a total distance of 130km, making it the longest walking trails in Western Australia.

The walking trail features two lighthouses which are towards the start and end of the hike and also a few rocks and a beach in between as well.

This is the ultimate dream to experience one side of Western Australia to another and it is also a real bushwalking experience in Perth as you walk past many famous places such as the Margaret River Wine Region, Contos Beach, and Margaret River. It starts from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin.

Tip: If you have the time and this is your first time hiking Cape to Cape Walk Track, you can look up Friends of Cape to Cape to get more information that can answer all your questions.

It is also possible to break the hike in to five parts so you don’t have to hike the total 130km.

Distance: 130km
Difficulty Level : 7.5 / 10
Steep Level : 3 / 5
Estimated Hike Duration: Seven to Nine Days
Fee: It applies to the campsite which is around Karridale but the walking trail is completely FREE.
Dogs: Allowed at some stretches
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/K52wJ33xQqTunJ9XA

How to get there:

Drive

You can take a drive from Perth to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse via State Route 2 for about three hours where there is a carpark called Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Carpark (https://goo.gl/maps/F5nBjR1rQaeNvmEEA) but there is a fee to park there.

Important things to watch out before starting your hiking in Perth

Make sure that you check the weather forecast and the current situation because the weather can change all of a sudden. Also, be aware of any news from the hike or park that you are going on . You can also check the weather forecast through the official Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Parks and Wildlife Service website for any news

Don’t hike during the rainy season or towards the end of the rainy season which is around (March to May) because it is much riskier to hike, and you may slip and fall during the hike.

You should not feed the wildlife if you go to any of the national parks. Also, if you feed kangaroos unnatural food like bread it can cause the kangaroos gum problem if consumed often.

Watch out for bushfires that will happen around the end of the year (December) at the start of the year (January). You can refer to the official Australia Bushfire website to check your hiking area and whether its safe.

Bring sunscreen that is at least SPF30 and above to avoid sunburn as you will be under the sun for at least 70 percent of the time. The OZ sun is powerful like no other.

Things to bring along to the best hikes in Perth

Although, I have mentioned that you should pack light during your hike, it is important to have a number of essential items which will help your hike become much easier and more comfortable.

Pack a light backpack for the hike because a heavy backpack will make your hike much more challenging and there are steep and rocky sections of the hike that will challenge you mentally and physically.

Make sure that your clothes such as jackets, shoes, and your backpack are waterproof because during the hike, the trails will be muddy, wet.

If you are camping at one of the hiking spots, book your camping spots in advance because sometimes, the camping sites might be booked for a few weeks in advance or they have certain time slots in which camping is available

Depending on where you are hiking, these three questions will help you answer how much water you need to bring on your hike which are : what is the weather for the day? how fast or how hard you are hiking ? and what are your personal needs? because everyone is different. You can bring a big water bottle which is not too bulky to fit into your backpack.

Make sure to bring a separate set of clothes and shoes to leave inside of your car (if you are driving to the hiking place) or in your bag (cover with a plastic bag) because the hiking trails can be muddy and it can cause a mess if you are returning from a hike.

If you are going on a hike, remember to bring a variety of snacks such as dried fruits like Apples, trail mix, or Beef Jerky. You can bring a food container that is not too bulky and is able to fit into your backpack without taking up too much space.

Make sure that you bring a hiking pole which will make hiking uphill much easier and do not bring deodorant to the hike because it can attract bugs with its sweet smell which makes you more prone to getting bitten by bugs and mosquitoes.

Always buy travel insurance to insure yourself if anything happens to you and a reusable water bottle because the water around the hiking area is safe to drink.

Bring some bug repellent because there are various types of bugs and mosquitoes around the hiking trails and make sure that you wear long clothing to avoid the many bugs and mosquitoes that will bite you.

Best Hikes in Perth Tips

If you want to swim at the beach, please remember that before swimming, make sure that the beach has a lifeguard and swim around the red and yellow flags of the beach. There is a thing called a Rip Current and to identify a Rip Current is where the water looks darker than usual. You can check on how to overcome Rip Current on Australia’s official website.

If you think Kangaroo are friendly, you might be right ( but only to a certain extent). Kangaroos are very dangerous to drive around in Outback regions such as Cape Le Grand or Francois Peron National Park. Indeed, if you are renting a vehicle to drive around Perth, it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase car insurance because Kangaroos make up most of animal road accidents from 2019

If you want to visit multiple National Parks bear in mind that the parking fee itself is on average about AUS$4 to AUS$29 depending on which National Park, but don’t worry! You can purchase Holiday Passes which can cost from AUS$25 (5 days), AUS$40 (14 days), and AUS$60 for a month and you can have unlimited visits to any national park with a registered vehicle for four weeks

Australians are very friendly people. They are also laid-back and take things easy. You will hear Australians say things such as “no worries, mate” and even if a situation has become serious, Australians will attempt to keep everyone calm by saying “ she will be fine, mate”

If you are hiking during the rainy season, be very aware of wildlife like spiders, snakes, or even crocodiles because there are spiders such as the White-Tailed Spider or snakes like the Inland Taipan that are poisonous.

Are you ready to enjoy the best hikes in Perth?

Well, there you have it, the 6 best hikes in Perth.

Before signing off, when we mention the difficulty level that is above 7 or below 5, your stamina, fitness, and mental toughness vary from one person to another, take it as a guideline, and understand your body and you will be just fine.

Let us know about what you are most excited about for your next hike in Perth or if you have been one of the hikes mentioned, what are the things that we missed out on ?

We would like to hear about it so other people can get more information about it!

6 Best Hikes in Perth, Australia

6 Best Hikes in Perth, Australia