The easiest and shortest way to access this old railway tunnel in John Forrest National Park is from the old Swan View Railway Station on Pechey Road. We spent an hour ambling the 3km loop up to the tunnel, walking through and then around it to return. If you are riding bikes it is ever so slightly uphill there and downhill on the way back. Have your torch handy as you enter the western end of the tunnel as it is very dark and sometimes muddy as you walk through! You emerge

The Yaberoo Budjara Trail is a 28km trail between Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup and Loch McNess in Yanchep traversing sections of Yellagonga Regional Park, Neerabup National Park and Yanchep National Park. The trail roughly runs parallel to Wanneroo Road and has various access points. Previously we have hiked the 4km section from Burns Beach Road to Neerabup Road so this time we decided to explore the next section. This section can be done as a 4km end to end if you can p

The word Yanchep is derived from Yandjip or Yanget which is the aboriginal name for the local bulrush reed found fringing the lakes. Nyanyi-Yandjip (Yanchep National Park) is named after the reeds and the lake which were thought to resemble the hairy mane of the dreamtime creature the Waugul . This area is culturally significant to the Noongar people and has been inhabited and used as a hunting ground for thousands of years prior to European settlement. In 1834 the first Eur

This new 7.9km trail has been developed as a shorter option to the 15km Eagle View Walk Trail and replaces the Christmas Tree Creek Trail which has been closed. The trail starts at Jane Brook where you cross the brook at the little weir next to the nature playground. The trail then veers left, passing under the railway bridge and follows the brook to National Falls. The trail is shared with mountain bike riders for a very short section before their trail heads off to the rig

Rocky Pool is a fabulous place to visit but there is some confusion on the best way to get there. This trail is called the Rocky Pool Walk and it does go to Rocky Pool by way of a 5km loop from Spring Road in Kalamunda. It is a long way around and there are shorter options listed below. We were following the trail notes published by the Shire of Kalamunda but have found these confusing in the past and this time was no different as we "lost" the trail at some point and found

We set off one lovely winter day to rediscover the challenging 11 km Echidna Trail in Walyunga Naitonal Park. Having hiked this trail from Walyunga Pool we decided to park at the Boongarup Pool carpark as this would shave off a few kilometres. In any case the carpark at Walyunga Pool was full as the kayakers were practising on the kayak course ahead of the Avon River Descent in early August. We set off just after 9am sharing the path along the Syds Rapids Trail with a numbe

Slowly we are piecing together the various sections of the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail which runs from Bellevue to Wooroloo. So far we have explored the northern branch through John Forrest National Park between Swan View Tunnel and Hovea Falls, Parkerville to Stoneville and Stoneville to Mt Helena. We have walked the connection between north and south Mt Helena to Sawyers Valley and on the southern branch have walked Boya to Darlington and Darlington to Glen Forrest and

With wildflower season fast approaching we decided to hike the 4.6 km Wildflower Walk Trail in John Forrest National Park. John Forrest National Park is always popular with it's wide variety of trails to explore ranging from the 300m Jane Brook Promenade to the 16 km Eagle View Walk Trail. We discovered that park management have been busy realigning some of the trails to conserve the bush and for added interest. Starting at the main picnic area alongside Jane Brook we stop

While completing the Ghost House Trail we crossed this trail and decided to hike it during Spring but time got away and that didn't happen so here we are, a year later in July. We set off to hike this14km trail hoping we would spot the Yanchep Rose (Diplolaena angustiflora) for which the trail is named as it flowers from Winter to Spring. It had been raining but cleared up beautifully for our hike. We went to sign in at the Visitor Centre as this is an extended hike and sign

So many trails to choose from again this year. It is always difficult to only choose 5 but here they are: Wadjup Gabbilju - Shelley Foreshore https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/wadjup-gabbilju-foreshore-walk This stunning river walk takes you from Bull Creek to Riverton along the Canning River through Shelley and Rossmoyne. This is a long walk but can easily be broken into shorter sections. It is pram and dog friendly and universally accessible. 2. Djarlgarro - Roley Pool

September is Waterfall and Wildflower season so we decided to hike the four trails within Ellis Brook Reserve in Banyowlah Regional Park. Most visitors hike the 60 Foot Falls Trail taking in the magnificent waterfall and Barrington Quarry but the lower walks are easier and have more prolific wildflowers. Blue Wren Ramble Trail Blue Wren Ramble is a 1.4km trail which winds it's way uphill linking the lower carpark and Honeyeater Hollow picnic area with the upper carpark and

We've hiked this trail a few times but have always walked clockwise so this time we decided to walk the trail anti-clockwise. From the Waterfall Gully Picnic Area stop to clean your boots to prevent dieback entering this beautiful valley. This is a loop trail so you can head to the left and cross the bridge for the clockwise loop or continue straight ahead for the anti clockwise loop. The trail immediately narrows and the stairs begin. The trail becomes rougher as you pass

This 3.2km trail starts at the Hardinge Park picnic area which has a small playground with entrances shaped like the Mason & Bird Tramway bridge. The car park here is quite isolated and there is evidence of car break ins so remove all valuables and leave all your interior compartments open to discourage would be thieves. The trail shares this section with the Kattamordo Heritage Trail and takes you parallel to Hardinge Road passing Bickley Brook Reservoir and then the Bickl

The Mason and Bird Heritage Trail starts in the cul de sac opposite the Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp but parking is available a short walk away at Hardinge Park which has picnic facilities and toilets. Please be mindful that this carpark is quite isolated and can be targeted by thieves. Make sure all valuables are out of sight. The Mason and Bird Heritage Trail is 4km one way but integrates very nicely with the Victoria Dam Walk Trail to make a 9km return loop trail. To

This is another trail which has been on my list to revisit for some time! We originally walked this trail some years ago by accident after missing the turn off while walking the Caves Trail. At that time I wasn't overly impressed with the trail but that may have been our state of mind as it seemed never ending considering we were supposed to be hiking a 4km trail! This time we headed off in July and walked in a clockwise direction, as recommended, and I now understand why i

Yanchep National Park has such a wide variety of trails there is one to suit everybody from the flat 2km Wetlands Walk Trail around Loch McNess to the Coastal Plain Trail which is 51km long! After hiking the 12km Ghost House Trail in July we returned in early August to explore the shorter 4km Caves Trail. The trail is a loop trail and the most popular starting point is from McNess House Visitor Centre where the trail passes by the koala enclosure, crossing the road for a sect

The Schipp Road Walk is a lovely but more challenging 4km hike in the City of Kalamunda. The name is a bit of a misnomer as the trail turns off Schipp Road to complete a loop, part of which follows the Bibbulmun Track. Download your preferred trail information and map for the Schipp Road Walk from the City of Kalamunda website. To get to the trail head turn off Hummerston Road and follow the gravel Schipp Road, a generally well maintained but narrow road, a few hundred me

Canning Dam Exploring the hills area around Armadale we drove to Canning Dam, a beautiful drive which reminds me of Caves Road. We parked at the lower picnic area and through the trees could just make out the wall of the dam rising high above us – WOW it is unexpectedly massive! That's it where the green arrow is pointing at the trees! The picnic area is lovely and shaded and still had a tinge of autumn colour in early June. There is a small fenced playground, barbecues, pi

It's that time of year when I review all the trails I have explored during the year and try to pinpoint 5 favourites. This is no easy task as I enjoy every trail or path I take. I've narrowed it down to the ones which left me feeling that WOW moment. Listed in no particular order: 1. C.Y.O'Connor Beach. https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/c-y-o-connor-beach Discovered along the way while exploring from North Coogee to South Fremantle this stunning beach was a complete sur

Hill Street Walk is an easy loop walk through bushland in Kalamunda National Park. The track mostly traverses the top of the ridge so is relatively flat. Parking is available street side at the end of Hill Street in Gooseberry Hill. At the moment there is quite a bit of room for parking but it looks as though the vacant block is being developed which may limit parking in the future. There are no toilet facilities. We followed the Shire of Kalamunda trail notes and for on