Top 5 Walk Trails for Families in Perth

You look up at the cathedral canopy of trees and exhale the week. The to-do list that has been tap-dancing in your head evaporates. The kids tear off down the trail with their backpacks bouncing, and you sigh a smile.

Welcome back to the outdoors.

And in this time of uncertainty and COVID-19 restrictions, it’s never been more important to our physical and mental health to escape the ceiling, floor, and walls or our daily grind and get outdoors while still being careful to observe the guidelines that will keep us all safe.

To help you get out there, we have reached out to our good friends at Trails WA for their Top 5 Walk Trails for Families in the Perth region. They are all low-key, so you don’t need any special equipment or experience and can all be expanded into half-day outings.

Law Walk, Kings Park

The Law Walk is one of the best entry-level trails in Perth, taking you through King’s Park botanical gardens, natural bushland, giving spectacular bird’s eye views of the Swan River along the way, and with lots of spots to stop and play. Find the trail map and more info at Trails WA.

One half of the trail is paved, while the other half is a sandy path through a Dryandra forest, giving the kids a chance to get dirty and explore. Another handy feature is that the Law Walk connects easily to the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, the elevated path that takes you through the treetops of towering jarrahs.

• Trail Length –  3.7km return
• Distance from Perth – 0km
• Facilities
  • Toilets
  • BBQ area
  • Kiosk
  • Shop
  • Shelters
• Notes
  • No bushwalking experience required
  • Access with assistance for disabled
  • Dog friendly
  • Bicycles prohibited
  • Water access points

The Butterflies, Birds and Bridges Trail, Canning River Park

Located in the Canning River Regional Park, this trail winds through wetlands, meadows, and a paperbark forest, and is perfect for a half-day outing with a picnic. Find the trail map and more info at Trails WA.

This 4km loop trail runs along both sides of the river and crosses at Kent St Weir. Along the way, kids can have a go at spotting one of the 97 bird species that live in the area or watch the kayakers that regularly paddle along the river. While the trail can be completed in a couple of hours, you can easily turn it into a half-day adventure by bringing along a picnic or visiting the park’s other attractions including the Castledare miniature railway.

•   Trail Length – 4km loop
• Distance from Perth – 12km
• Facilities
  • Toilets
  • BBQ area
  • Café
  • Shelter
•   Notes
  • No bushwalking experience required
  • Access without assistance for disabled
  • Bike path
  • 97 bird species in the area
  • Dog Friendly

Jenna Biddi Yorga, Blackwall Reach

Biddi Yorga trail is a beautiful cliff top walk, but it’s also a special place for the Whadjuk Noongar people and a must-do walk for families. Find the trail map and more info at Trails WA.

This trail takes you on a river journey, learning about the cultural significance of the area – including the white sands which were once a birthing place for Whadjuk women. You can learn more about the trail by downloading the free Geotourist app for a guided audio tour from Whadjuk Elders, Marie Taylor and Noel Morich. By following the tour, you’ll discover the delicious secret of the Wattle tree, learn the Whadjuk way to catch a fish, and hear the story of Djunda the Charnock Woman.

•   Trail Length – 4km return
• Distance from Perth – 18km
• Facilities
  • Toilets
  • BBQ area
  • Café
  • Shelter
• Notes
  • No bushwalking experience required
  • Suitable for wheelchair users
  • Dog Friendly
  • Water access points

Blue Wren Ramble, Ellis Brook

The Blue Wren Ramble on the beautiful Ellis Brook Valley Reserve meanders through dense shrubs and woodland that are home to blue wrens, parrots, pardalotes and wedge-tail eagles. Find the trail map and more info at Trails WA.

Ellis Brook Valley is a rich breeding site and home for many native and visiting birds, including cockatoos, parrots, pardalotes, splendid and wedge-tailed eagles. It is also home to kangaroos, possums, bats and other native wildlife. The trail does include an uphill, but it is gradual enough for little legs to tackle – plus there is plenty of surrounding picnic areas where you can rest and relax afterwards.

•   Trail Length –  2.8km return
• Distance from Perth – 40km
• Facilities
  • Toilets
  • Picnic area
• Notes
  • Abundant birdlife
  • No water available
  • Multiple nearby trails

Dwerta Mia Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park

The Dwerta Mia Walk in Yanchep National Park is a trail that inspires children’s imaginations with its rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, lush greenery, limestone cliffs and resident kangaroos. Find the trail map and more info at Trails WA.

The name Dwerta Mia translates to ‘house of the wild dog’, as Aboriginal people once believed the area to be the home of dingoes and bad spirits. Today the dingoes are long gone and the 1km trail features useful signage to give you a better understanding of the cultural heritage of the caves and how they were formed. Once you’ve finished the walk, you and the kids can check out the Wetlands Walk Trail or enjoy a picnic on the park’s grassed areas – you might even be joined by some curious kangaroos!

•   Trail Length – 1km return
• Distance from Perth – 51km
• Facilities
  • Toilets
  • BBQ area
  • Café
  • Shelter
• Notes
  • No bushwalking experience required
  • 500m disabled access circuit
  • Kangaroos
  • Wildflowers Sept-Nov
  • No dogs allowed
  • National Park Fees apply

Download our TOP 5 TRAILS IN PERTH FOR FAMILIES Resource and be sure to share your photos and videos of your adventures to our Facebook or Instagram, using the hashtags #natureplaywa #natureismedicine

All of these trails can be found in our free Play in WA app. Enjoy!

We’ll be sharing some other Top 5s in the coming weeks. In the meantime, get out, discover new nature spaces in our wonderful region and enjoy the sanctuary of distance.

Be sure to keep up to date with information about COVID-19 at the official Australian government website – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert and the Western Australian government website – Coronavirus: COVID-19

 

Check Regional Travel Restrictions to be sure these trails are within your travel area.