Perth Hills
The Perth Hills offer a glorious mix of pristine natural bush, wildflowers, waterfalls and creeks, towering trees, sensational views, art galleries, vineyards, restaurants and cafes. And, at around a 45 minute drive, it’s all so close to Perth.
Despite the close proximity to the city, a trip to the Hills allows you to truly get away from it all in a gorgeous setting where nature and culture meet. Indulge yourself by enjoying a mini-break at a bushside retreat, visit a day spa, or immersing yourself in art.
The Mundaring Arts Centre is one of the State’s largest community arts centres and is a major focus for local art. While in Mundaring, be sure to check out Mundaring Weir and the famous water pipeline to Kalgoorlie.
The Weir precinct is also home to an open-air cinema and a fabulous outdoor concert amphitheatre. The Weir is the start of several interesting walk trails (pdf 378KB) though the beautiful native bush in the area as well as the Munda Biddi bike trail which is Australia's longest mountain bike trail.
The Perth Hills National Park Centre, with its Nearer to Nature programme, is open seven days and offers an opportunity to experience the natural Hills environment. Friendly staff can advise you on the range of ways you can hike,camp, ride, walk or just sit and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Kalamunda town centre is also particularly appealing, with its gift stores, character eateries and quaint village feel. Art, music and history play a big part here with several heritage building sites in town.
A visit to the town library will reward you with views of the largest community-built stained-glass window in Australia, and if you are visiting on the first Saturday of the month, be sure to drop in on the village market.
Kalamunda is also a great staging point for visiting the breathtaking Bickley and Carmel Valleys renowned for their wine and local produce. Considering its Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and cool wet winters, and with the first vineyards in the region planted in the 1880s, it comes as no surprise that the Perth Hills now boasts a well established wine scene with each part of the hills having their own distinct wine trails for you to discover.
The Mundaring Hills wine trail will lead you through the forests and gullies of Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mt Helena and Wooroloo to some of the oldest wineries in the region and continuing further south, the Bickley-Carmel Valley Wine Trail touts seven world class wineries including some fine examples of sparkling wine made in the French Tradition. Cellar doors are open most weekends and public holidays and you can set your tastebuds dancing with good selection of wine varieties.
Visitors to the Perth Hills will also be impressed by the range of excellent restaurants and the level of sophisticated accommodation to be found. There are gracious country bed and breakfasts, spa retreats and private luxurious hideaways.
While you’re in the Hills, try retreating to the national parks and the cool of the forests to indulge your love of the natural environment. The hills are blessed with a series of more than 40 bike and walk trails, as well as scenic lookouts and picnic spots.
For information on walking trails and the Bibbulmun Track, visit the Bibbulmun Track website.
Top ten things to do and see in the Perth Hills
- Discover the Perth Hills wine trails and sample some local wines
- Experience the beautiful national parks, forests and scenic bushland
- Take a walk on the long distance Bibbulmun Track
- Get active and cycle the Munda Biddi Bike Trail
- Enjoy a picnic and a swim at Lake Leschenaultia. Download the Lake Leschenaultia brochure (pdf 692KB) for more info...
- Explore the Mundaring Weir Precinct and No 1 Pump Station
- Browse through all the region’s arts and crafts studios
- Go night animal spotting at Karakamia Sanctuary
- Explore nature with great activities with Nearer to Nature, the Department of Environment and Conservation's nature program.
- Visit the Perth Hills National Parks Centre.