5 Things to Do at John Forrest National Park

Located in the Darling Ranges on Whadjuk country, about 30 minutes east of Perth city, John Forrest National Park is Perth’s first and oldest national park. With waterfalls and wildflowers in season, a variety of walk trails, and a spooky old railway tunnel, there is so much to explore! Let us help you prepare for a fun, family day out with this list of five fun things to do at John Forrest National Park.

5 Things to Do at John Forrest National Park

1. Visit a Waterfall

There are two waterfalls visitors can explore at John Forrest National Park. As these waterfalls are reliant on rainfall they can only be seen in winter or spring. Be sure to stick to marked trails and lookouts when viewing the falls.

2. Enjoy a Picnic

The John Forrest Picnic Area has some great facilities for families to relax and enjoy some food amongst the beautiful bushland.

Picnic tables, barbecues and toilets are all available here – including a universal access barbecue and a unisex disabled toilet. There’s also a nature playground for the kids to explore.

All the park’s trails begin here too, making it super simple to add a family picnic at the start or end point for your adventures.

3. Follow the Jane Brook Trail

The Jane Brook Trail is a 300m loop that follows a flat, concrete path around Jane Brook Weir, making it accessible for wheelchair users and prams.

Use the Interpretive Trail to discover the fascinating history of the weir, as well as some of the plants and animals you might spot.

4. Visit the Swan View Tunnel

The Swan View Tunnel is a 340 metre long structure, built in 1894 by CY O’Connor and his 300-plus workers. It was originally built for trains to pass through. Now, visitors can walk through the dark, spooky tunnel and marvel at its size, and the fact that workers used nothing but picks, shovels and dynamite to build it!

5. Wildflower Spotting in Spring

John Forrest National Park is home to over 500 different species of wildflowers.
The best time to see the wildflowers in full bloom is late winter and early spring. Keep an eye out for bright banksias, gorgeous grevilleas, blue leschenaultia and kangaroo paw.