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The best walks and hikes for an active day in Perth

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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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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Off-grid stays and farm-to-plate dining: discover the ultimate guide to Denmark, WA

Trade early morning phone alarms and city chaos for bucolic serenity and gastronomic delights.

Peaceful birdsong and coastal winds meet rolling green hills and turquoise waters; there’s no better place to start your day than in Western Australia’s Denmark. This picturesque coastal town, a 4.5-hour drive from Perth along the pristine Rainbow Coast, offers bucolic bliss in spades.

A hidden retreat lies just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, inviting guests to slow down and connect with nature. At Heyscape Denmark, the ultimate refuge from the rat race and the perfect setting for a rural escape await.

Whether it’s for a refreshing weekend away or a regenerative week-long sojourn, this idyllic pocket of the world will leave you feeling anew.

Where to stay

women on front deck at inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
Make the most of outdoor baths. (Credit: Jarrad Seng)

Located on the 880-acre Raintree Estate, Heyscape Denmark is an award-winning, off-grid cabin retreat ideal for anyone craving time in nature while also enjoying sustainable, luxury comfort. Just 15 are sensitively embedded in the rural environment, ensuring privacy and the perfect setting to switch off. Choose from one-bedroom, two-bedroom or 4-person cabins. Four-legged friends can also join in on the fun with pet-friendly cabins available.

inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
Check in, to check out.

The modern accommodations are well-appointed with queen beds dressed in lush linen and pillows; a bathroom with a warm shower, flushable toilet and botanical shampoo and conditioner; and an indoor kitchenette with a Nespresso coffee maker. Outside, find timber decks with seating to spot resident kangaroos from, Heston Blumenthal barbecues for whipping up delicious meals using local produce, and outdoor baths to soak up incredible nighttime skies – Denmark’s lack of light pollution makes it an exceptional spot for stargazing and viewing the Milky Way. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping Great Southern Ocean, William Bay National Park and Karri tree views.

Wellness is at the forefront of Heyscape Denmark with thoughtful touches including Note to Self prompts, gratitude cards and a botanical sleep spray ready to help you unwind. And for the ultimate weekend of R&R, two-bedroom cabins are fitted with saunas.

Where to eat

Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience
Catch your own freshwater crayfish, then have a chef prepare it for you.

The Great Southern region’s Mediterranean climate and nutrient-rich soils make for some of the most incredible produce in the world – and a stay at Heyscape Denmark lets you sample the very best of it. The estate farms over 200 black Angus cattle, marron – a freshwater crayfish endemic to the South-West of Western Australia –, hemp and French black truffle.

Just steps from these cabins sits the estate’s paddock-to-plate restaurant, The Dam. Featuring lofty jarrah ceilings, polished concrete and expansive windows revealing calming dam views, it’s a stunning spot for lunch or dinner, alongside an outdoor playground to keep little ones happy and busy.

Acclaimed chef Jason Jujnovich utilises ingredients from Raintree Estate’s regenerative farm in his hyper-local, Modern Australian menu. Seasonally changing dishes include the likes of wagyu beef lasagna and pistachio crumbed chicken cotoletta. Or join in for pizza night on a Friday, where the mushroom and truffle pizza is an easy winner.

Meals are designed to be paired with sips from the property’s innovative Cannabis Botanical Distillery, which concocts house-made hemp spirits and seltzers using ingredients grown onsite. Taste unique drops such as the Sativa Gin with warm citrus and pepper notes and the Pineapple Passion seltzer.

Another stand-out gastronomic offering is Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience, which lets you hand-catch freshwater crayfish from the property’s pristine dams and have them prepared and cooked to perfection for you by chefs. Those wanting to enjoy a meal from the comfort of their cabin can fire up the barbecue and grill their fresh catch or order a gourmet dinner box with mouthwatering wagyu steak and antipasti against golden peaceful sunset views.

Things to do

Lights Beach denmark western australia
Spend a day enjoying the idyllic Lights Beach. (Credit: Tourism WA)

There’s no shortage of things to do in Denmark, and basing yourself at Heyscape Denmark puts you within easy access to it all. Nature lovers are spoiled with unbeatable spots for swimming and snorkelling, plus coastal hiking trails at William Bay National Park – a protected coastal reserve with approximately 1734 hectares of stunning landscapes ready to be explored.

Hire an e-bike from the property and cycle just 15 minutes to the unbelievably clear waters and white sands of Greens Pools, a naturally sheltered beach. Or the idyllic Lights Beach, which features three beaches, dunes, natural wading pool and scenic walking trails. Keen surfers should turn their attention to Ocean Beach with its world-class surf breaks.

aerial Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk
Wander the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Stroll past towering Karri and giant Red Tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The 600-metre walkway rises 40 metres above the ancient forest floor and meanders through the hardwood trees, endemic exclusively to the Great Southern region.

Denmark is also a haven for creatives, and Butter Factory Studios is a must-stop on any itinerary. The contemporary art gallery, working artist studio and gift shop are housed within a historic building where workshops and exhibitions support and showcase creators from the region.

With the winning trifecta of delicious food, a pristine environment, and secluded accommodation, Denmark proves to be the ultimate destination for relaxation.

Book your Denmark adventure today at heyscape.com.au.