Perth is a city with its own unique charm. From our beautiful white sand beaches to the thriving restaurant scene full of distinct personalities, there’s plenty to do in and around the city.
Though there’s no shortage of things to do in Perth city, sometimes it’s nice to clear your head and walk among the trees. If you find yourself doing the same routes or not knowing where to go for a few hours of hiking, we can help.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly route, the chance to see some waterfalls, or a spot you can walk with your dog, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our top 5 walking and hiking spots in Perth.
Whistlepipe Gully – Mundy Regional Park
Distance: 3.6 km loop
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Located just over half an hour outside of the CBD in Mundy Regional Park, Whistlepipe Gully is a gorgeous place to spend half a day.
Discover a gentle trail that follows a stream through the gully, heading down one way and then back up the other side. Near the waterfall, you’ll find a stunning view out over the Swan Coastal Plain with Perth City visible in the distance.
Through June and September, the cooler weather makes for a glorious walk, and recent rain ensures that the flowing water is your constant companion. If you go between September and November, the area comes alive with wildflowers.
There’s also one curiosity you won’t get on any other track in WA. Along the trail, you’ll go past the ruins of a house that spans across the waterfall there. Built in the 1960s, this Japanese-style house was designed by a local architect as a retreat from the city. Today, the foundations are the only part of the house that remains.
Whistlepipe Gully is the ideal hiking trail for beginners, with an easy track that takes you through beautiful forest, accompanied by the babbling water the whole way. It’s also one of the few trails in Perth that allows dogs.
Lesmurdie Falls – Mundy Regional Park
Distance: 2.4 km loop
Time: 1-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Also located in Mundy Regional Park, Lesmurdie Falls is known as one of the best hiking trails in Perth—and a place where you’ll almost forget you’re in WA.
There are a few different trails you can do, but the Foot of the Falls track is the one you want, taking you down to the bottom of the Falls and back. On this trail, a gentle track leads you down past the running Lesmurdie Brook, where you slowly descend through green bushland. A series of viewing platforms located throughout the walk provide the perfect spot to stop, take a breather, and look out over the gorgeous countryside.
Towards the end, you turn a corner, and you reach the falls themselves. They’re surprisingly hidden and stunning to see in person. You don’t get waterfalls like this anywhere else in the state.
Getting back up to the trailhead takes you up somewhat of a steep slope, but one that’s mercifully short. Lesmurdie Falls is a beautiful walk, but better suited to people with some hiking experience. It’s particularly enjoyable over the autumn and winter months, once the rains have started.
Zamia Trail – Bold Park, City Beach
Distance: 5.4 km loop
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Named after the Zamia palm that inhabits the area, Zamia Trail is a rugged bushland walk where you’ll forget you’re only 15 minutes from the heart of the city. Located in City Beach, if you’re just driving past, you wouldn’t even know it’s there.
The trail itself starts at the Reabold Hill car park, and then weaves its way in and out of bushland around Bold Park. While there are some moderate inclines here and there, it’s a relatively easy walk for beginners and experienced hikers alike. At its highest points, you get expansive views out over both the city and the sparkling Indian Ocean.
It’s a haven for nature lovers, too, with over 300 different species of plants appearing throughout the park. During wildflower season, the trail comes to life with pops of colour among the undergrowth. There’s also an abundance of wildlife to spot if you tread carefully, particularly early in the morning when the park is infused with birdsong.
Law Walk Loop – Kings Park
Distance: 2.5 km loop
Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Law Walk is an easy walking trail that’s just minutes from the centre of town. Located in Kings Park, the trail itself winds through the trees, flowers, and grasslands of the park.
Head past the famous giant Boab tree at Forrest Car Park and you’ll find the walk beginning at the Karri Pavilion. From there, it takes you through the rambling wildflower gardens and green lawns, passing by beautiful views out over the Swan River and the Perth city skyline.
The Lotterywest Federation Walkway is a highlight of the trail. This glass bridge juts out over the treetops, and while not overly high, might not be a favourite for those without a head for heights.
The Law Walk Loop is a short yet relaxing walk across a well-paved route that can easily be accomplished on a lunch break. Though the best time to go to Kings Park for a walk is in September – when the wildflowers burst into life, Kings Park lookout point is a sensational spot to have a summer picnic or watch the reflection of the sun as it sets in the summer.
Eagle View Walk Trail – John Forrest National Park
Distance: 16 km loop
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Located in John Forrest National Park, Eagle View Walk Trail is known as one of the best hiking trails that Perth has to offer. And for good reason.
Long and winding, Eagle View takes the best part of a day—but gives you everything you want from a walk. As you go, secluded bushland hugs you on each side, giving way to jarrah and marri forests. You’ll see vast panoramas out over the Swan Coastal Plain, with parts of the walk bearing inland, taking you past the glittering Jane Brook.
Walk over rocky steps, across red dirt, and over running water. And as always, beautiful wildflowers make an appearance if you go between September and November: a culmination of all things WA.
With its shifting pathways and varied inclines, the circuit itself can be challenging at times, so it’s best for those with good hiking abilities.
Experience the best of Perth, both out in nature and back in the city
There’s nothing better than getting out of the city for a bit, letting the busyness subside, and simply putting one foot in front of the other.
And when you get back into town feeling refreshed and ready to explore, RAC Arena has a range of exciting concerts, live sports and other experiences waiting for you.
