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The best walks and hikes for an active day in Perth

Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
From coastal boardwalks to wildflower-rich bush trails, Perth offers hikes to suit both casual walkers and experienced adventurers.

Whether you’re craving a gentle stroll to spot wildflowers or a lung-pumping climb for panoramic views, there’s a walk or hike for every mood and fitness level. Lace up your hiking boots, pack water and get walking. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best hikes and walks in Perth.

In short

If you only do one serious hike, make it the Eagle View Trail in John Forrest National Park for waterfalls, wildflowers and city skyline and even ocean views. If you’ve only got time for something shorter, hit the Zamia Trail in City Beach for short steep climbs offering sweeping views.

1. Sullivan Rock to Mount Cooke (Darling Range)

Sullivan Rock to Mount Cooke (Darling Range)
Walk to the highest point in the Darling Range, Mt Cooke. (Image: DBCA)

Distance: 18.4 kilometres return (8 hours)

Getting there: 1 hour from Perth

Accessibility: Grade 4; hiking experience recommended due to steep final climb.

Facilities: Campground, public toilets, shaded rest areas, water access at Mount Cooke.

This hike begins through creeklined forests of sheoak, banksia, and jarrah, steadily working its way up to the summit ridge of Mount Cooke. The payoff is a sweeping panorama over the Darling Range, especially dramatic at sunrise, and a chance to camp overnight if you want the peace of dusk and dawn.

2. Eagle View Trail, John Forrest National Park

a bicycle trail in John Forrest National Park, Perth
Traverse scenic vistas on two wheels. (Image: Kevin Smith)

Distance: 15-kilometre loop (56 hours)

Getting there: 40 minutes from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 34; decent fitness required for climbs and undulating terrain.

Facilities: Picnic spots, public toilets, shaded areas; kiosk closer to Ranger’s Office.

Winding through valleys and woodlands, this trail delivers a little bit of everything  – from creekbeds and pretty waterfalls to sweeping views to Perth CBD and the Indian Ocean in the distance. The Jane Brook section also blossoms in wildflowers come spring.

3. Whistlepipe Gully Trail, Mundy Regional Park

Distance: 3.5-kilometre loop (1.5 hours)

Getting there: 30 mins from Perth CBD

Accessibility: Grade 3 – uneven surfaces, some hills

Facilities: Limited street parking, no toilets on site

Tracing the course of a gully, this short but picturesque walk takes you past granite boulders and the remnants of an old stone house. It’s particularly beautiful from July to November when the river flows and wildflowers bloom.

3. Bibbulmun Track: Kalamunda to Mundaring Weir

the Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus, Kalamunda
The legendary Bibbulmun Track winds through Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Distance: 1734 kilometres one-way (or return sections)

Getting there: 40 minutes from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 4; steep sections and loose gravel in parts.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, water access along the track.

A taste of the legendary Bibbulmun in just a few hours – this stretch leads you through dripping forest, across babbling streams, over wooden bridges and rocky features. It’s not the full multiweek trail, but you’ll feel the essence: remoteness, changing terrain and a satisfying sense of distance. Perfect if you want to push your legs without committing to days.

4. Zamia Trail, Bold Park

Distance: 5.1-kilometre loop (1.5 hours)

Getting there: 15 minutes from Perth CBD

Accessibility: Grade 3 – compacted limestone, moderate inclines

Facilities: Carpark, scenic lookouts, rest benches

This well-marked trail loops through native bushland in Bold Park, offering sweeping views across the Indian Ocean and Perth city skyline. There are several lookout points to pause and take it in, and it’s a peaceful walk year-round.

5. Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine National Park

swimming in the natural pool at Serpentine Falls, Perth
Swim in the natural pool at Serpentine Falls. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Distance: 16.5 kilometres return (or 14-kilometre loop depending on route) (46 hours)

Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 3; some steep steps and loose gravel terrains; slippery when wet.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, shaded spots.

This trail gives rewarding variety – cascading creeks, waterfalls, granite outcrops, dense bushland. There are scenic diversions like Stacey’s Loop, and quieter moments if you start from Jarrahdale. Keep an eye on the time, because returning along steeper ascents can test your legs.

6. Jorgensen Park Trail, Kalamunda

Distance: 2.7-kilometre loop (1 hour)

Getting there: 30 mins from Perth CBD

Accessibility: Grade 2  – former golf course, easy terrain

Facilities: Carpark, nearby toilets

An easy-going loop that follows old Kalamunda Gold Club fairways and weaves through bushland, occasionally intersecting with the Bibbulmun Track. The trail takes you through dense bushland that opens up onto stunning valley views.

7. Baldwin’s Bluff Trail, Serpentine National Park

Serpentine Falls from above
Soak up sweeping views of Serpentine Falls and the valley below. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Distance: 6-kilometre loop (2 hours)

Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 4; steep in parts, rocky surfaces; best for hikers with good footwear.

Facilities: Picnic areas and public toilets; same park amenities as Kitty’s Gorge.

Less travelled than its neighbour Kitty’s Gorge, Baldwin’s Bluff offers solitude. The climb to the summit yields sweeping views of Serpentine Falls and the valley below, framed by jarrah and marri woodland. It’s a compact hike but doesn’t skimp on impact.

8. Trigg Bushland Reserve Trail

Distance: 3.4-kilometre loop (40 minutes)

Getting there: 20 mins from Perth

Accessibility: Grade 2 – compacted paths, some undulations

Facilities: Informal parking, trail signage

Tucked between suburb and sea, this coastal bushland trail is a springtime favourite with wildflower enthusiasts. You’ll be treated to sea glimpses from elevated spots, and the loop’s short length makes it ideal for a brisk walk or an easy nature escape.

9. Palm Terrace Walk, Forrestfield

Lesmurdie Falls, Palm Terrace Walk, Forrestfield
Walk to the spectacular Lesmurdie Falls in the Mundy Regional Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Distance: 5.5-kilometre loop (13 hours)

Getting there: 30 minutes from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 3; sections of steep climb; some loose gravel.

Facilities: Public toilets, picnic spots, water access, scenic lookout points.

An underrated gem in the Perth Hills, this loop delivers views you’ll remember – especially if you take the detour to Lesmurdie Falls. The trail edges past ridges and valleys, through native bush, offering quiet moments away from the crowds. Best when the wildflowers bloom.

10. Numbat Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary

th Avon Valley as seen from Numbat Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary
Take in spectacular views of the surrounding Avon Valley. (Image: Tiff Watson)

Distance: 12-kilometre loop (35 hours)

Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 3; some steep switchbacks and rough terrain.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas; booking may be required in certain seasons.

This trail is a rich mix of wildlife, water and elevation. You’ll begin by the lake, climb through White Gum Forest up to a lookout, then wind through woodlands and ridges. In the green season it’s lush, alive with birds and blooms – a real immersive nature escape.

11. Sixty Foot Falls, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

Distance: 2-kilometre loop (1 hour)

Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

Accessibility: Grade 4; steep sections especially on ascent/descent; watch for slippery parts after rain.

Facilities: Car park, picnic areas, public toilets and lookouts with views.

Don’t underestimate this short trail – the climb is steep, but the reward is big: views over Ellis Brook Valley, striking falls (especially after rain), and varied terrain that keeps each step interesting. A perfect quick but satisfying hike.

 

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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6 reasons the best way to experience the Kimberley is by cruise

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

    Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

    The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs.
    Adventure starts where the road ends.

    1. Discover Broome, and beyond

    Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

    At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

    If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

    Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea.
    Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

    2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

    Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

    At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

    Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

    Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

    A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters.
    Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

    3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

    You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

    Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

    4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

    These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

    If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

    Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

    A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs.
    Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

    5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

    Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

    A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance.
    See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

    6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

    You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

    Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

    If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

    aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia
    Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

    Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .