WALK TRAILS
Walk Trails
Being located in the Perth Hills – or Darling Range – and bordering on the Avon Valley, Gidgegannup has a wonderful variety of natural attractions: Forests with many native flora and fauna species, semi-open rural landscapes with great valley views, brooks and rivers that run wildly in winter, walk and bridle trails. All in peaceful and quiet surroundings.
See the list of walk trails below.
The walk trails listed here will give you the opportunity to experience Gidgegannup’s natural beauty “close-up”.
Dogs need to be under effective control at all times in these areas. herefore it is recommended that they are on a leash.
Public Walk Trails
Bells Rapids Walk Trail
A walk bridge spanning the Swan River over the white water rapids make this an exciting viewing spot during the Avon Descent. Perfect for a picnic and bushwalk or that special day out.
Search the City of Swan website for Bells Rapids Walk Trail to download a pdf information sheet.
A 5.5km unique Bells Rapid circuit walk trail passes along the Swan River and is noted as providing other great vantage points for the annual Avon Descent. Walkers can enjoy scenic views of Bells Rapids, the country side and coastal plains, with beautiful grey kangaroos at certain times of the year.
Flora and Fauna highlights include:
- Dominant Trees – Wandoo, Flooded gums, Swamp Paperbark, Swamp Sheoak
- Wildflower – Fuchsia Grevillea
- Bird – Little Pied Cormorant
Berry Reserve Walk Trail
Several vegetation communities exist at F R Berry Reserve including Jarrah/Marri/Wandoo woodlands,
Melaleuca (Paperbark) fringed creek lines and granite outcrops containing a great diversity of species.
The reserve is also home to several species of Rare and Priority flora, some of which are unique to this place and do not occur anywhere else in WA, or for that matter,
the World.
Search the City of Swan website for FR Berry Reserve to find a pdf document download of the Berry Reserve Walk Trail.
The vegetation communities also provide valuable habitat for a wonderful variety of our West Australian fauna. Fauna known to frequent the reserve include the Honey Possum, Mardo, Gould’s Monitor, Bobtail, Western Green tree frog, Weebill, Splendid Fairy Wren and the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoo. Along the walktrail are photos of some these fauna species that you may be fortunate enough to view on your walk.
Dogs are allowed off the leash as long as the owner has them fully under control at all times.
Noble Falls Walk Trail
This lovely walk along the Wooroloo Brook is attractive at all times of the year. The wildflowers are in bloom in the spring and the waterfall is stunning in winter.
The walk adjoins a reserve, which is home to many birds and other wildlife. It begins from the Noble Falls picnic and parking area (which is directly opposite the Noble Falls Tavern) off Toodyay Road.
Dogs are allowed off the leash as long as the owner has them fully under control at all times. Fire restrictions apply to the area and open fires are not permitted but free electric BBQs are provided. As the Noble Falls Picnic Area is not a designated rest area, no overnight camping is allowed.
Walyunga Lookout Walk Trail
Walyunga National Park lies in the Darling Range, just behind the Darling Scarp, and covers both sides of a steep valley. Just to the east of the park, in the picturesque Avon Valley, the Avon River joins the Brockman River to form the Swan River.
Walyunga Lookout is perched high on the eastern side of the Avon Valley. Take the O’Brien Road turn-off on Toodyay Road and continue for 16 km. Then turn left into Ewing Road. The lookout, with picnic facilities, is at the end of the road.
There are some tracks running from Walyunga Lookout as well as some tracks to the South and West of the carpark that may be accessed from Ewing Road and nearby O’Brien Road. None of these tracks are well marked and the area is not supervised. So please heed the Walyunga National Park’s safety advice:
- Stay on tracks and paths
- Extreme caution must be undertaken to avoid slippage and falling
- Your safety is your responsibility
For more information on Walyunga NP and the walking tracks to the West of the Avon Valley, visit the Parks and Wildlife website.
Note: Dogs are not allowed in any National Park on or off leash as they interfere with the behaviour of native fauna.
Wandoo Heights Walk Trail
This property is a unique bush landscape on the Darling Escarpment and is situated 13km from Midland. Comprising of two lots totalling 22 hectares, Wandoo Heights is part of an original block of 4,000 hectares on the Upper Swan, granted in 1830 to George Fletcher Moore, the Advocate General for the Swan Colony.
Search the City of Swan website for further information on Wandoo Heights Nature Reserve.
Because of its general unsuitability for farming, Wandoo Heights was not cleared in the early days and is still in its virgin state (as would have been observed by the early botanists in the 1820’s).
Please keep to the paths, take only photographs, and leave only footprints.
This is a controlled access walk trail. Permission is required through the City of Swan, contact 9267 9267.
Private Walk Trails (fees apply)
- Karakamia
- Paruna
These are conservation areas for endangered species – no dogs are allowed either on or off the leash.
Karakamia Walk Trail
Karakamia sanctuary is located approximately an hour east of Perth near the small town of Chidlow. This sanctuary is the first property owned by Australian Wildlife Conservancy, purchased in 1991 to protect the threatened mammals of the northern jarrah forest. The sanctuary is surrounded by a vermin-proof fence and all foxes, cats and rabbits have been eradicated providing a safe haven for many threatened mammals.
The name “Karakamia” is an aboriginal word meaning home of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoos; so named because at dusk the air is filled with the sound of their “karak, karak” call.
Visitors can experience the magic of Karakamia sanctuary by participating in a two hour guided walk at dusk. Setting off along a bush track just before sunset, you are likely to see a number of nocturnal animals including Woylies, Tammar Wallabies, & Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoots). This is a special experience as many of the animals you will see cannot readily be seen in a national park. For more information and bookings visit the Karakamia Sanctuary website.
No dogs are allowed either on or off the leash.
