Conquer these epic kid-friendly hiking and walking trails near Perth
We all love spending quality time with our little ones, and it’s even more enjoyable when we get to enjoy nature at the same time!
Kate Gibson from hiking tour company The Hike Collective helped us out with a wide range of Perth’s best kid-friendly trails, so you can get out and introduce the tiny ones to the beauty that we have in our backyard:
Law Walk, Kings Park
We all know how big and plentiful the beautiful bushlands of Kings Park are, but have you ever branched out to really explore the hidden trails and promenades? The Law Walk in Kings Park follows the Mount Eliza escarpment from the Karri Pavilion in Kings Park for just over 3km in a loop. Adventure along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, explore wildflowers and learn a little about the history of Kings Park with plaques along your walk.
Whistlepipe Gully, Forrestfield
A day on the trails with the kids just wouldn’t be complete without enchanted woodlands and ruins! Heading to Whistlepipe Gully is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to be swept away in fairytale play, as you meander this 3.5km loop along the gully. With beautiful wooden bridges crossing the flowing water, and magical views over the city skyline, there is never ending exploration on this easy to navigate, and ever-flowing adventure. We recommend parking at the end of Lewis Road, Forrestfield for the best spot to begin this trail and gumboots are highly recommended!
Glen Brook Trail, John Forrest National Park
A fun adventure for little explorers, the Glen Brook Trail in John Forrest National Park highlights some amazing bushland and bridges. At a smidge over 2km, it’s the perfect distance for the smaller kids – this loop also provides granite boulders to climb, ducks to spot on the dam, and fairy villages from the early 1900’s to explore. Finish the hike with a picnic and a play at the Chevron Nature Play right by the river. Heading there in winter? Pack the wellies, because there is bound to be a puddle or two to jump in.
Children’s Forest, Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park is another one of those must see places, but with so much distance to cover, and so much to do, it’s easy to forget something. We suggest not missing the children’s forest! Situated about 200m from Whiteman Village and 50m from Mussel Pool, the forest itself is a perfect opportunity for kids to learn about the importance and beauty of WA’s native bushland, and with winding trails taking you through different zones, you will find cool little games and activities, as well as amazing statues, artwork, and fun interactive exploration. This choose-your-own-adventure trail can be as short as 300m long, and stretches up to a few kilometres if you want to really get the best out of it.
Rocky Pool, Piesse Brook
Through the winter and spring months, after a little bit of rain, the Piesse Brook is one of the most magnificent places to walk around Perth. The water provides the most magical soundtrack as you follow Schipp Road for a 3km return hike to the iconic Rocky Pool return. We suggest starting at the end of Schipp road, and following the old 4×4 trail until you reach Rocky Pool, then enjoy a picnic while the kids explore before returning along the same trail. This one is easy for the adults to enjoy too, as you walk along the interpretive trail, which will give you insights into the local flora and fauna of the area.
Lake Leschenaultia, Chidlow
Named after the stunning blue wildflower, Lake Leschenaultia is a year-round favourite. Located a beautiful 50 minute drive from Perth, there’s a glorious 3km walking loop around the iconic lake. Make a weekend out of it and camp at the Lake Leschenaultia campgrounds, or enjoy a picnic and a paddle by the water, with kayak hire, and a cafe right by the lake – as well as a permanent orienteering course and geocaching in the area!
Zamia Trail, Bold Park
We love Bold Park for giving us a taste of wilderness, without having to travel too far out of the city. The huge (and beautiful!) park is one of the largest remaining bushland remnants you can see in the metro area, and super important for conservation. There are trails of varying levels of difficulty throughout the park, from the easy-peasy boardwalk at the top of Reabold Hill, the Ocean Lookout just around the corner, or the much more extensive Zamia Trail – of which you can do a nice bite-sized chunk suitable for little legs.
Lesmurdie Falls
One of the most impressive waterfalls Perth has to offer, Lesmurdie Falls‘ surrounding trails have something on offer for everybody, traversing either side of the falls and giving stunning views the entire way, including from a series of viewing platforms. The full 2.5km loop trail takes you from the top of the falls to the base and back, but there’s also a shorter Falls Trail – only 640 metres return. During springtime, you should be richly rewarded with spectacular rushing water and vibrant wildflowers.
Butterflies, Birds and Bridges, Canning River Regional Park
If you want to get bang for your buck, Butterflies, Birds and Bridges will lead you through a varied landscape over only 4kms return. Situated within the Canning River Regional Park, the trail winds through a paperbark forest, meadows, wetlands and over waterways. The park is home to over 97 species of birds, and is popular with bird watchers – plus there’s several picnic areas, as well as canoe launch areas if you prefer to explore on the water. (We can’t forget to mention the Castledare Miniature Railway on the west side of the park, either!)
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Penguin Island Walk, Shoalwater Marine Park
Speaking of exploring by the water – it’s just a quick ferry ride over to Penguin Island, the home to a huge colony of Fairy Penguins. The 1.5km boardwalk loops around the island, giving stunning panoramic views, as well as visiting some of the island’s most popular snorkelling and swimming spots. If you want to see the famous penguins, it’s worth a visit to the Discovery Centre, where you can get up close and personal during their feeding time.
Blue Wren Ramble, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve
If you’ve got a budding birdwatcher on your hands, you’ll have to pay a visit to the Blue Wren Ramble. Just outside of Gosnells, the Easy Walk Trail follows the Brook for less than a kilometre, while the Sixty Foot Falls is the more grown-up suited, steep 2.1km loop to the nearby Barrington Quarry and falls. The area is one of the best places to see wildflowers within the metro area, as well as a rich breeding ground for countless bird species – which includes parrots, cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles and pardalotes. You can also keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife, like kangaroos and possums!
Dwerta Mia Walk Trail, Yanchep
A very manageable 1km return, the Dwerta Mia Walk Trail is a great way to introduce little ones to Perth’s beautiful landscapes, as well as Indigenous culture. The area’s history is signposted throughout the trail, plus you can explore around the rocks of the collapsed limestone gorge, take in the lush vegetation, or stop for a picnic at Boomerang Gorge. It’s in the centre of Yanchep National Park, where you’ll find a range of trails to suit all comers, Yanchep Treetop Adventures ropes course and the Koala Boardwalk – more than enough for a day out!
Photo by the @thehikecollective
Looking for more things to do with the kids this school holidays? We go you!