Perth Hills and surrounds
Within an hour of Perth, several well-known trails come into their own after rain, combining flowing water with accessible bushwalking.
Noble Falls, Perth Hills
1. Noble Falls, Gidgegannup
3.6km | Class 2
Set along Wooroloo Brook, Noble Falls is a gentle riverside walk where seasonal cascades return after rainfall. The mostly flat track follows the water, making it a straightforward option for a relaxed outing. Picnic facilities and open spaces near the trailhead make it well suited to a slower day outdoors.
2. Bells Rapids, Brigadoon
2.7km | Class 3
While not a waterfall in the traditional sense, Bells Rapids is at its most impressive after heavy rain, when the Avon River moves quickly through large granite boulders. A network of trails includes a lower riverside walk and the steeper Goat Walk, offering different perspectives over the valley.
Lesmurdie Falls, Perth Hills
3. Lesmurdie Falls, Mundy Regional Park
2km | Class 3
One of the most recognisable waterfalls in the Perth Hills, Lesmurdie Falls drops over the Darling Scarp with broad views across the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth city. Several trails and lookouts allow you to experience the falls from both above and below, with shorter loops available for a more relaxed visit.
4. Sixty Foot Falls, Ellis Brook Valley
2.1km | Class 4
A short but steeper trail climbs to a lookout above Sixty Foot Falls, with wide views across the valley and surrounding hills. The track passes through varied terrain, including exposed sections and former quarry areas, making it better suited to those prepared for a moderate climb.
5. National Park Falls, John Forrest National Park
2.5km | Class 2
Located within Western Australia’s first national park, this easy loop follows Jane Brook along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail to National Park Falls, with scenic views of granite outcrops and a small bridge offering a great vantage point. The falls cascade over a rocky escarpment into a lush valley during the cooler months, with the wider trail network allowing you to extend your walk or keep it short.
Man swimming at Serpentine Falls
6. Serpentine Falls and Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine National Park
Up to 14km | Class 1 - 4
Serpentine Falls offers an easy, family-friendly walk from the car park (1km, Class 1) to a viewing platform, where water cascades over granite into a rock pool, with picnic areas and facilities nearby. Extending beyond this, the Kitty’s Gorge Walk (14km, Class 4) follows the Serpentine River through varied terrain, passing granite outcrops and a series of smaller waterfalls and cascades, particularly impressive after winter rainfall.
South West and Great Southern
Further south, higher rainfall and dense forest landscapes create a different waterfall experience, with longer trails and more remote settings.
7. Lane Poole Falls, near Northcliffe
5km return | Class 3
Starting at the Boorara Tree, this trail follows a former firebreak through karri and marri forest, descending into the Canterbury River valley with occasional lookout views along the way. The final section steepens as it leads to Lane Poole Falls, where water cascades over granite into a pool below, best seen after winter rains.
Beedelup Falls, near Pemberton
8. Beedelup Falls, near Pemberton
4.5km | Class 3
This scenic loop winds through towering karri forest to Beedelup Falls, where a 25-metre suspension bridge offers a unique vantage point over the cascading water. From the bridge, boardwalks and viewing platforms provide different perspectives of the falls, especially impressive during winter when the flow is strongest.
Along the way, the trail passes through lush forest filled with ferns, mosses and birdlife, with sections leading to picnic areas and views over nearby Waterfall Dam. The well-marked loop can also be explored in shorter sections, making it a flexible and accessible option for walkers.
9. Quinninup Falls, near Yallingup
3.8km | Class 3
Starting inland and linking into the Cape to Cape Track, this trail winds through granite outcrops, coastal heath and sandy sections to a secluded valley behind the shoreline. Near the coast, the track turns inland to reveal Quinninup Falls — a small, seasonal waterfall best seen after winter rainfall.
Typically quieter than nearby coastal walks, the final stretches showcase a mix of ocean views and bushland, with the falls offering a peaceful contrast to the rugged coastline.
*The site is culturally significant, please respect the area and do not climb the falls.
10. Fernhook Falls, near Walpole
1km loop | Class 2
An easy, short walk provides access to Fernhook Falls in Mt Frankland South National Park, where winter flows transform the river into a series cascading falls over granite boulders. Nearby access to the Frankland River also makes it suitable for paddling during the wetter months.
Following the flow
Waterfall season in Western Australia is shaped by rainfall, with the best conditions typically from winter through early spring, when creeks and rivers are replenished and the landscape is at its most vibrant.
Whether it’s a short walk to a lookout or a longer hike through forest and valley, these trails offer a direct way to experience the changing seasons. Slower-paced, cooler underfoot, and defined by the sound of moving water, they’re a reminder of how much the landscape shifts after rain and why this is one of the most rewarding times to be on the trails.
Originally published by Trails WA, adapted by Western Australia in June 2026.
