The Darling Range sits on the eastern edge of Perth, rising steeply from the coastal plain and offering a completely different world from the city below. Tall jarrah and marri forests, hidden valley orchards, award-winning cafés and some of WA's most dramatic lookouts — all within 30 to 45 minutes of the CBD. For Perth families looking for a day that feels like a genuine escape, the Hills consistently deliver.
Top Stops on a Perth Hills Day
☕ Kalamunda — The Perfect Starting Point
The town of Kalamunda sits right on the escarpment edge and is the natural gateway to the Hills. The main street has excellent cafés, artisan bakeries, independent bookshops, and a weekend market (Kalamunda Farmers Market runs most Saturday mornings). Start here for coffee and breakfast before heading deeper into the Hills.
Don't miss the lookout at Kalamunda Water Tower — the view over the Swan Coastal Plain all the way to the Indian Ocean on a clear day is genuinely spectacular.
🍎 Pick-Your-Own Orchards
The hills east of Pickering Brook and Carmel are lined with orchards producing stonefruit, apples, pears, and strawberries. Many open for pick-your-own during harvest season (roughly October to April depending on the fruit). Pickering Brook and Roleystone are the main areas to explore. Check ahead before visiting as opening varies by season and year.
🌲 John Forrest National Park
Western Australia's oldest national park, established in 1898. The park has easy walking trails through jarrah forest, a historic railway tunnel, picnic areas, swimming holes at National Park Falls (seasonal), and abundant birdlife. Entry requires a Parks Pass. The drive through the park itself is beautiful — tall forest canopy over a winding road.
🍷 Darlington Estate Winery
Tucked into the hills above Darlington, this small boutique winery produces excellent estate wines and has a beautiful verandah restaurant with views over the vines and bushland. A relaxed, adult-friendly stop that works particularly well for groups combining a winery experience with the Hills scenery.
🏔️ Mundaring Weir
One of WA's most significant historical landmarks — the start of the 560km pipeline that carries water to the Eastern Goldfields. The weir and its surroundings are beautiful, particularly in winter when water flows heavily. The Mundaring Weir Hotel nearby serves classic pub meals in a historic setting.
🌊 Lesmurdie Falls
In winter and early spring, Lesmurdie Falls is one of the most dramatic sights near Perth — a 50-metre waterfall cascading down the escarpment with views over the plain below. A short, easy walk from the car park. In summer the falls run slowly or dry up, so visit after good winter rains for the full effect.
Suggested Autumn / Winter Drive Route
- 9:00 AM — Kalamunda for coffee and the farmers market (Saturdays)
- 10:30 AM — Drive through John Forrest National Park, short walk to the falls
- 12:30 PM — Lunch at Mundaring Weir Hotel
- 2:00 PM — Lesmurdie Falls lookout and short walk
- 3:30 PM — Darlington Estate for an afternoon wine tasting
- 5:00 PM — Drive home through the valley
Best time to visit: Autumn (March–May) and spring (August–October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking and the most dramatic scenery. Summer in the Hills can be extremely hot and carries bushfire risk — check fire danger ratings on Total Fire Ban days.
Tips for Your Visit
- Fuel up before you leave Perth: Fuel in the Hills is limited and more expensive than the city
- Download offline maps: Mobile coverage can be patchy in the deeper valleys
- Bring layers: The Hills can be 5–10°C cooler than the Perth plain, particularly in winter mornings
- Check fire danger: On Total Fire Ban days, some parks and trails may be closed — check emergency.wa.gov.au before heading out
- Parks Pass: Required for John Forrest National Park — purchase online at parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au
Getting the Group There Comfortably
The winding roads through the Hills are part of the charm — but navigating them in convoy with multiple cars loses that charm quickly. For a group day trip through Kalamunda, John Forrest, and the orchard country, a single 8-seat people mover means everyone sees the same scenery, hears the same conversation, and arrives at each stop together.
It's also the practical choice if the afternoon includes wine tastings at Darlington Estate. Book our Hyundai iMax online — available same day in many cases.