Perth Hills
Explore the Perth Hills - Discover the stunning scenery, scenic drives and vibrant villages of the Perth Hills.
Scattered throughout the wide ranges of the Darling Scarp and only 45 minutes east of Perth City, you'll find the Perth Hills. Its character townships including Mundaring, Kalamunda and Armadale, exude a country charm and views that are simply astounding. From fruit picking to wine tastings, the hills are the creative hub of Perth.
Artists, musicians and writers reside here, opening their homes and properties to retreat and dial down the fast-paced city life. Walk trails and bike tracks weave through the bush. Historic pubs cook and brew local produce to be enjoyed in the beer garden in summer and by an open fire in the cooler months. Babbling brooks, waterfalls and dams provide perfect picnics spots and recreational hubs for picturesque strolls. Fulfill your artistic soul with art galleries, tulip shows and farmers’ markets. The Darling Scarp is the perfect getaway, where being faraway is not far away at all.
Exciting attractions and great food & wine in the Perth Hills
Fertile land offers a tree change, full of forest, orchards, vineyards and a growing number of distilleries. With the first vineyards in the Perth Hills planted in the 1880s, it comes as no surprise that the region now boasts a well-established wine scene with a fantastic food and wine trail and cider and brews trail to follow. Surrounded by national and state forest, the Perth Hills are blessed with a series of more than 40 bike trails, walk trails and wildflower trails, as well as scenic lookouts and picnic spots. The region marks the start of both the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Cycle Trail.
Visitors to the Perth Hills will also be impressed by the range of excellent things to do, tours and accommodation to be found.
Things to do in the Perth Hills
Discover the best highlights and attractions of the Perth Hills, including:
- Enjoy a picnic or BBQ, canoe or swim at Lake Leschenaultia - a top swimming hole.
- Experience the beauty of the regions' national parks and state forests.
- Visit Araluen Botanic Park for the magnificent gardens.
- Follow one of the many food and wine trails, including the Bickley Valley Wine Trail and Perth Hills Cider and Brews Trail, to sample local wines, cider and produce.
- Experience the Perth Hills Wine Region, including The Packing Shed which pairs as a distillery.
- Explore the Mundaring Weir Precinct and No 1 Pump Station.
- Visit the Kalamunda History Village - the largest folk museum in Western Australia, depicting the unique hills life and industries that developed in the area.
- Have a wildlife encounter at one the region's wildlife parks.
- Walk through the fruit orchards, pick your own fruit (during harvest season) or go on an apple orchard tour.
- Walk the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, KEP Track or Bibbulmun Track.
- Be amazed by our beautiful southern skies at the historic Perth Observatory, or visit the museum in the daytime for all things, astronomy, scientific discovery and Aboriginal sky lore.
- Learn more about the colourful history of the region in Armadale at the District Museum, Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum, the Armadale Outpost Telegraph Centre and Bodhinyana Monastery.
- Experience one of the many great community events, festivals and markets.
Perth Hills - Mundaring
Drop down a gear and head to Mundaring in the Heart of the Perth Hills for a leisurely drive on leafy backroads, through spectacular forests and national parks. Delight in art and culture in the charming villages linked by the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, or simply throw down your picnic blanket and soak up the spectacular surroundings at Lake Leschenaultia or John Forrest National Park.
The Bibbulmun Track passes through Mundaring on its way to Albany in the south-west and the Munda Biddi off-road cycle trail head is located in Mundaring Community Sculpture Park, making Mundaring an ideal starting point to enjoy some of the region’s stunning scenery.
A visit to Mundaring Weir and the museum at No.1 Pump Station is a must. Although the project was completed more than 100 years ago, it remains one of the longest freshwater pipelines in the world and a starting point for the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail and Kep Track.
Other attractions to discover include open-air markets, art galleries, an outdoor cinema and heritage-listed hotels, inns and taverns oozing with country charm.
There's also a range of accommodation on offer, whether it’s a romantic luxury hideaway or a quiet camping spot that appeals. So if you’re looking for somewhere to escape for the weekend, or perhaps a little longer, chances are you will find just what you are looking for right on Perth's doorstep.
Make Perth Hills Mundaring Visitor Centre your first stop for free information to help you get the very best from your visit to the Perth Hills. Our friendly team has a wealth of local knowledge that will help get you on the right track.
Perth Hills - Kalamunda
Kalamunda township is particularly appealing, with its quaint, historic village feel. Step back in time and learn about the history of the area on a Heritage Walk Trail and at the Kalamunda History Village. The Zig Zag Cultural Centre is home to the Zig Zag Gallery, which shows a number of exhibitions throughout the year. You can also visit local artist studios, explore heritage buildings at the Kalamunda History Village and see largest community-built stained-glass window in Australia at the Kalamunda Library.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surrounding bushland and national parks on one of the many walking or mountain biking trails. Experienced walkers may like to tackle the long-distance, world-class Bibbulmun Track, which begins in Kalamunda, and for adventurous mountain bikers there's the Munda Biddi Trail and the Kalamunda Trails. For spectacular Perth City views, head up to the Lesmurdie Falls.
A short drive from Kalamunda is the incredible Bickley Valley - home to scenic drives, towering forests, spectacular valleys, orchards (look out for pick-your-own) and boutique vineyards and cideries. Follow the Bickley Valley Wine Trail to the wineries, cellar doors and cideries, many of which offer delicious food. Also in the Bickley Valley you'll find the historic Perth Observatory - a State heritage-listed observatory where science and history come together to engage visitors of all ages in astronomy, space science and Aboriginal sky lore.
After a busy day, stop at one of the fantastic and unique cafes and restaurants, or enjoy a refreshing drink at the town's historic hotel, tavern or tap house. On Sunday mornings find fresh produce at the award-winning Kalamunda Farmers Market, and unique gifts at the Kalamunda Artisan Market on the first Saturday of each month.
Find all you need to know about things to see and do, free walking trail maps, information about visit the Bickley Valley food and wine region and recommendations on places to stay, from cosy B&B's to luxury lodges at the Perth Hills Kalamunda Visitor Centre.
Perth Hills - Armadale
With tree-cloaked hills, babbling brooks, blossom-laden orchards and nature walks, the natural beauty of Armadale is located within 40 minutes' drive from Perth City. This scenic region offers a riot of activities for lovers of the great outdoors, nature and food and wine.
Start at the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre to pick up information and free maps highlighting spectacular walk trails in the region or drive along the Armadale Hills Scenic Drive. For experienced hikers the Wungong Gorge Trail is often referred to as the 'mini Bib Track', while those looking for a shorter adventure can check out Roley Pools for a relaxing time by the water and the possibility of spotting a rare rakali. Be sure to take the time to visit Araluen Botanical Park where you can stroll around beautiful gardens, enjoy a family picnic, have a coffee at the Roundhouse café and see the amazing tulip display each spring.
If you're after something a little more adventurous then the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre is well worth a visit. This state-of-the-art 55-hectare lake was purpose built for rowers but is also great for recreational swimming and canoeing.
The region also offers art galleries, the town centres of Kelmscott, Roleystone, Bedfordale and Forrestdale, the Armadale Reptile Centre and Cohunu Koala Park and many heritage attractions including the Last Drop Elizabethan, The Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum, the Armadale Outpost Telegraph Centre, History House Municipal Museum and Minnawarra Park historical precinct.
Stock up on fresh produce in Armadale, and don’t forget to take a walk through Raeburn Orchards for an idyllic way to spend a lazy afternoon and indulge in good old-fashioned pleasures. Fill your picnic hamper by picking up fresh cheese from local factories, visiting the quirky stores at Brackenridge Village where you'll find a sourdough specialist bakery, record shop and a gift shop specialising in local artisans and plants. If your drinks palate goes beyond the usual wine, why not pop into McRobert Distillery for 100% Western Australian crafted spirits.
Perth Hills - Serpentine and Jarrahdale
The Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire forms the southern part of the Perth Hills and offers some breath-taking scenery within the many forests, parks, rivers and other natural attractions. The Serpentine National Park features lovely forests which also harbour a wealth of walking tracks. Serpentine Falls is a favourite picnic destination, with its cool, emerald-coloured waters surrounded by rocks, the falls are the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon.
Jarrahdale, the local town was originally established as a milling town. In town you can enjoy lunch at the local pub or enjoy delicious afternoon tea at one of the cafes that line the main street, view historical buildings and explore the arts and crafts galleries. A number of wineries can also be found just outside of town, including the stunning Millbrook Winery.
Click here to download a map of the Perth Hills. Copies of this Hello Perth map can be collected at Perth Airport stands at T1 and T3, the East Perth Rail Terminal, all Visitor Centres in the metropolitan area, all Hello Perth stands, plus from over 150 locations such as attractions, hotels and car hire companies.
