Categories > Guides and Tips
This guide to John Forrest National Park will lead you to wildflowers & waterfalls!
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Things to Do
- Smell the wildflowers at the Wildflower Walk Trail
- Spot kangaroos
- Kick back at the picnic area
- Trek through the spine-chilling darkness at Swan View Tunnel
- Chase waterfalls
- Catch Swan Coastal Plain and city views on Eagle View Walk Trail
- Pedal through the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
- Gallop along the John Forrest Bridle Trail
- Meander through gullies and granite outcrops on Glen Brook Trail
- Stroll through the Jane Brook Promenade
- Take a dip in the Rocky Pools Circuit
- Observe birds on the Hovea Falls Walk
John Forrest National Park isn’t just Western Australia’s first national park. That doesn’t even scratch the surface. Boasting the Darling Ranges’ wilds, it’s also a bushwalker’s Eden, with trails leading to wildlife, waterfalls, and (rumoured) ghosts.
True, the local government put in the work to develop it over the years, but its wonders, like those cascades, have been mostly au naturel since the park’s 1957 opening.
If you want to witness them all, we’ll make your trip extra breezy by taking the lead. Follow this guide! It’s a well-trodden path for us by now.
Things to Know
Address: Park Rd, Hovea
Contact Details: +61 8 9290 6100
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Drive from the Perth CBD: 39 mins (29.5 km)
Website
How to Get There
By Bus: There’s no direct bus from Perth to the park, but you can use bus line 940 from the CBD, stopping at the Redcliffe Station. From there, you must hail and ride a taxi that’ll take you to the park.
By Train: Opting for a train ride to get to the park means boarding the Midland Line that heads to the Midland Station. After rolling into the station, look for a taxi.
By Car: Parking won’t be a major concern at the John Forrest National Park, as the main picnic area is brimming with numerous parking bays.
By Taxi: Perth taxi fares dramatically change depending on the date and time. Plan your budget accordingly by following our fee breakdown below, which is up-to-date as of February 2025.
| Tariff 1 – 6 am to 5:59 pm | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $5.10 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Tariff 2 – 6 pm to 5:59 am (including all day Saturday and Sunday) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Ultra Peak (12 am to 02:59 am on Friday and Saturday only) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 + $4.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
Things to Do
Smell the wildflowers at the Wildflower Walk Trail
From laurajanehahn
Length: 4.6 km
Estimated Time: 2 hrs
Elevation Gain: 118 m
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Ranger’s Office, John Forrest National Park
The aptly named Wildflower Walk Trail fulfilled the park’s promise of wildflowers. Sure, the steepness was a proper leg-burner, but once we passed by the healthy patches of dryandras, kangaroo paws, and banksias, our aching calves didn’t matter.
More blooms lined this path as we ventured deeper—which wasn’t a shocker since it was spring when we stopped by. We spotted some vividly coloured myrtles and wattles, made more awe-inspiring by the jarrah and marri backdrop.
Spot kangaroos
From allard7905
Being early birds did wonders for our team, particularly the wildlife buffs. Before the dew had settled, we encountered mobs of western grey kangaroos, mostly loafing near the now-closed John Forrest Tavern.
For non-locals who are wondering, there are really no rules about petting them, but we suggest using all your powers to resist the mammals’ cuteness. Taking snaps from a distance is always a smart move; untamed roos easily get fired up.
Oh, and if you’re the type who doesn’t enjoy some morning Vitamin D, late afternoon is your best alternative. They can be seen around the golden hour.
Kick back at the picnic area
From experienceperthhills
When we say John Forrest National Park is picnic-worthy, we’re not just throwing words around. The main picnic area near the parking bays, for example, has the space, BBQs, and natural features for a relaxing meal.
If you’re more into ‘wild and free’ spots, lace your bushwalking kicks and venture toward the off-the-grid-ish trails, which boast mint lookout points. An area that specifically comes to mind is the one by the waterfalls.
Trek through the spine-chilling darkness at Swan View Tunnel
From brokensundowns
Address: Hovea
Constructed in 1894 and formerly used as a railway system, the 340-metre-long Swan View Tunnel has a long history—one that’s not safe from ‘That place is haunted!’ allegations. As wannabe ghost-hunters, we naturally had to see if there’s truth to that.
Unfortunately, we didn’t bump into wailing spirits, but we did see the features that made it an engineering wonder back then—granite, clay seams, and around 330,000 bricks. It was spookily dark and annoyingly wet, though, so torches and boots were a must.
Chase waterfalls
From shireofmundaring
Most guides will tell you the John Forrest National Park peaks in spring or winter, and we won’t contradict them for two reasons: Hovea Falls and National Park Falls.
Cascading down a massive granite slab, Hovea Falls demands your attention and snaps, particularly after a downpour.
Meanwhile, the (not-so-creatively-named) National Park Falls looks like something you’ll usually see on a postcard. The water cascades straight from a 20-metre cliff before reaching a pool surrounded by rock formations and greenery.
The snag is that both aren’t swimming hotspots.
Catch Swan Coastal Plain and city views on Eagle View Walk Trail
From dronepapi
Length: 15.8 km
Estimated Time: 4 hrs and 15 mins
Elevation Gain: 424 m
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Main picnic area
Our jaws dropped at Eagle View Walk Trail. True, it was a proper leg workout, but those Swan Coastal Plain and Perth CBD views were priceless.
We also loved the variety of panoramas shifting from valleys to creeks to hills. In addition, it’s well-marked, thanks to the yellow triangle emblem that was present throughout.
Pedal through the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
From 0_kewl
Length: 19.3 km
Estimated Time: 4 hrs and 12 mins
Elevation Gain: 357 m
Type: Point-to-point
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Main picnic area
Ravishing no matter the season, the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail is a gift to cyclists, and it’s also a dream for history buffs. Its paths brim with the rail era’s charm and aesthetics, like Swan View Tunnel and parts of Mundaring and Parkerville.
Additionally, several lookout points await at the higher sections, though you have to prepare your calves for an uphill battle. Just look at the elevation gain! Once there, you’ll witness the Swan Coastal Plain merging with Perth.
Gallop along the John Forrest Bridle Trail
From perthhillsmundaring
Length: 20.3 km
Estimated Time: 4 hrs and 46 mins
Elevation Gain: 344 m
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Main picnic area
‘We wished we had horses’ was the first thing out of our mouths on the John Forrest Bridle Trail. Located on the park’s eastern side, this is where equestrians get their dose of scenery and sunshine.
It’s not exclusive to them, though, which we’re grateful for since this spot has radiant wildflowers and lots of roos. Also, joggers and bushwalkers won’t fight for space, as horses must stay on the marked trail and aren’t allowed at the main recreational area.
As for jockeys, here is the bright side: Victoria Road offers parking for horse floats.
Meander through gullies and granite outcrops on Glen Brook Trail
From trailhikingaust
Length: 2.4 km
Estimated Time: 36 mins
Elevation Gain: 51 m
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Main picnic area
The beauty of Glen Brook Trail is that you don’t have to carbo-load or enhance your stamina to relish it. Relatively flat and undeniably awe-inspiring, it’s a walk in the park leading to gullies, granite outcrops, and the Glen Brook Dam.
However, fur parents, take note that bringing pups here is a no-go. The upside is it’s well-shaded, well-marked, and well-maintained.
Stroll through the Jane Brook Promenade
From experienceperthhills
Length: 600 m
Estimated Time: 30 mins
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Main picnic area
If you’re visiting with the fam, stopping by the picture-perfect Jane Brook Promenade is non-negotiable. It’s too Instagrammable to skip—flaunting rocks, a playground, the Jane Brook Weir, and even fairy houses.
Anybody is also in for a ripper time here, as this magic-meets-nature zone is totally wheelchair and pram-friendly. To top it off, it comes with BBQs and picnic tables, made better by the shade of towering jarrah and marri trees.
Take a dip in the Rocky Pools Circuit
From perthhillsmundaring
Length: 4.8 km
Estimated Time: 1 hr and 34 mins
Elevation Gain: 202 m
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Hard
Starting Point: Main picnic area
Nothing freshens the mind and body like a swim post-walk, and that’s an experience we got by ticking off Rocky Pools Circuit. We had to grind for it, though. The way here is full of steep sections and loose descents.
Despite that, we’d tread it again without a second thought. Rock Pool, the trail’s highlight, is a natural swimming hole worth the trek, considering it normally flows with crystal-clear and cool waters year-round.
Observe birds on the Hovea Falls Walk
From au.amitpatil
Length: 1.9 km
Estimated Time: 26 mins
Elevation Gain: 30 m
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: Main picnic area
Our hardcore birdwatchers pushed to get the Hovea Falls Walk on this itinerary, and I’m stoked everyone went along with it. ‘Breathtakingly colourful’ was how most of us described it, particularly after seeing its carpet of wildflowers and wealth of birdlife.
Bloom-wise, we spotted dryandras, grevilleas, and heaths in their full glory, most probably because we went in spring.
On the feathered flyer’s front, black cockatoos and blue fairy wrens topped the sightings list. The team also heard honey-eaters but wasn’t lucky enough to see the grey-brown songsters.
