We returned to Mundaring for our mid winter bush walk. Previously we had tried to walk the Portagabra Track but due to a lack of information and maps we walked the O'Connor Trail instead. This time we had completed a bit of research and found a review of the Portagabra Trail which provided a much needed guide. (Thank you). It took us 80 minutes to complete this trail which is a 3.5 km loop through pristine bushland. After having this trail on our walk again list for some t

BELLS RAPIDS Bells Rapids is a favourite place for Perth people to go hiking and no wonder. There is plenty of parking available although best to get there early (before 10) on a sunny weekend as the bays are not marked and it can be a bit of a free for all. There is a toilet block and a few benches but no picnic or barbecue facilities. Lots of families set up their own chairs and barbecue (fire bans permitting) next to the car park and settle in for the day. This is a fa

John Forrest National Park was established in 1900 and has been a popular picnic and walking spot ever since. There are large picnic areas with lots of tables scattered around the main area near the car parks. There are plenty of barbecues available and there are bigger gazebos for large groups. There is a centrally located toilet block opposite the Ranger's office. There is also a tavern there. The picnic benches are in heavy demand from about 11am onwards - before th

This blog was originally written for the 2km loop trail around the dam but in August 2023 park management extended this trail with a 2.5km trail up the gully beyond the dam. The new 4.5km trail has been renamed the Glen Brook Walk Trail and we have now included the extension in this blog. You can choose to walk the shorter loop around the dam or extend to the more challenging hike beyond the dam. It was a sunny winter's day after a wet week so we headed to John Forrest Nat

We walked this trail again in 2025 as part of the Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail - Neerabup Road to Hester Avenue section. The 10th Light Horse Heritage Trail is a 1.2km loop trail with a separate access trail to join the Yaberoo Budjara Trail. Access for both is from the carpark off Wanneroo Road just north of Neerabup Road. There are several parking bays but no other facilities. Pass through the gate and veer left to the 10th Light Horse Heritage Trail sign and then follo

It is always enjoyable going for a weekend drive to the country. Toodyay, just over an hour outside of Perth is a lovely country town with plenty of character. I regularly travel to Toodyay to visit family and always enjoy the drive, noticing how the different seasons affect the landscape. I prefer the drive along Muchea East Road off the Great Northern Highway. This becomes Chittering Road and then turn right at Julimar Road. This is a very pretty drive through rolling h

It was an overcast day with rain forecast but we grabbed our rain jackets and set off from Noggos Kitchen and Coffee on Peninsula Road in Maylands. We headed along Wall Street and then Swan View Terrace until we found the entrance to the Baigup (Place of Rushes) Wetlands. A shared path runs through these lovely wetlands (check accessibility after winter rain) and there are some lovely views across to Kaljuk (Black Swan) Island. Along the way you might spot Eric as this wa

This is one of my favourite places to hike. Normally we go in winter when the river is full and you can hear the water rushing along as you hike Syd's Rapid Trail. This time we went in Autumn and it was a different experience. The river is still very pretty even though the water was so much lower than previous visits. I did miss hearing the water rushing by and the path didn't quite feel like the river walk I am used to. Walyunga is open between 8am and 5pm daily. Please

Herdsman Lake - Ngurgenboro is a stunning wetlands area which is home to over 100 species of birds so there is plenty to capture your attention. For a short kid friendly walk wander along the 800m Olive Seymour Boardwalk section located at the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre. You will learn the Noongar names for the birds that call these wetlands home. This is where you will see bird life up close as the birds feed amongst the reeds. The water is so still it's like looking

It was an absolutely stunning Autumn day for this walk. After tackling the Kokoda Track down the Eliza Scarp from King's Park we crossed Mount's Bay Road (not as difficult as we thought it would be) to walk along the shared bike path.... Note the bikes come up behind you silent and fast but most of the path has grass to one side which means you can safely walk and stop to take photos....oh so many photos of this beautiful stretch of water! If you don't want to cross Mount'

Well I really geared myself up for this one. I read there were 150 steps leading down the Eliza Scarp and that people use this as a training track similar to Jacob's ladder. So I decided to make life easier I would go down rather than up and then I would continue along the Swan River foreshore to Matilda Bay Reserve before heading back up Crawley Steps and into Kings Park. After finding the entrance to the track leading off the park to the west of the War Memorials I took

Guildford was established during the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829 and today is one of only three towns in Perth on the National Trust register. Established on what is virtually an island encircled by the Swan and Helena Rivers, Guildford is ideally suited to explore on foot. Much of Guildford’s original town plan, including the central church square (now known as Stirling Square), remains largely intact allowing a rare glimpse into early colonial settlement.