Fact sheet

Perth Hills to Mundaring trail 1 day ROAD Gidgegannup

HWY

TOODYAY

NORTHERN

Lake Leschenaultia Chidlow GREAT John Forrest National Park HWY Midland The Lakes 201 GREAT Mundaring EASTERN Sawyers Valley 207

Mundaring Kalamunda Weir I30 National Park KM ROUND TRIP Kalamunda 207 207 Lake APPROX. C.Y.O'Connor

SEE MUNDARING MAP SEE KALAMUNDA MAP

BROOKTON Araluen Botanic Park

205 205 205 Armadale Canning Reservoir 205 205 205 HWY

Wungong ALBANY Byford Reservoir

HWY

LEGEND Highway / Sealed Road Unsealed Road Track Munda Biddi Trail State Tourist Drive 207

Jarrahdale

WESTERN

HWY Serpentine Serpentine Serpentine Falls Pipehead Dam Dam Serpentine National Park © RACWA Copyright 2011

SOUTH

SEE SERPENTINE MAP

The forested hills and granite outcrops On a day trip you can see vast areas of of the Darling Range provide Perth with national forest with lakes, rivers and a dramatic eastern backdrop visible even waterfalls. It’s dotted with historic from many parts of the metropolitan attractions and offers a great selection of area. If it’s been a while since you cafes, restaurants and wineries so you explored those distant hills, winter is a can stop to indulge and relax on the way. great time to wind your way through its And if you do need more time, there are lush forests. The area has a surprising plenty of places to stay from bed and range of natural wonders and other breakfasts to boutique retreats. To see attractions that make it a perfect place just how much is on offer, we took a drive to head for an easy getaway from Perth. through three areas in the . Most destinations in the Perth Hills are less than an hour’s drive from the centre Suggested itinerary From Perth city: approximately 45 minutes along of the city and all are an easy day trip taking the Great Eastern from most parts of metropolitan area. Highway Bypass, will bring you to Mundaring. For a

RAC members save up to Need maps, guides, our entire range. atlases or a GPS for 15% off Call RAC Travel on 1300 655 179, go to rac.com.au/holidayguides your journey? or pop into your local RAC Travel Centre Fact sheet Perth hills to Mundaring trail #28 drive series

slight detour off the main road before Mundaring done before anywhere in the world at the time. Highlights take a drive through the John Forrest National Before was built and the pipeline

Park, ’s oldest national park. completed in 1903, water was railed or carried » National Parks Continue travelling east through Sawyers Valley by camel train to the goldfields from a pool on » Mundaring Weir and Chidlow and stop for a picnic or swim at the Avon River just west of Northam. The Kep » Lake Leschenaultia family friendly Lake Leschenaultia. On the return Track links these two important water sites. » Kep Track turn off through Mundaring and head south There are many bike trails through the Perth Hills » Munda Biddi Trail to Mundaring Weir and pull in for a snack or and one of the best known is the Munda Biddi » Bibbulmun Track beverage at the , a place Trail. The Munda Biddi Trail, which means ‘path » Boutique wineries of old charm and relaxing bushland and friendly through the forest’ in the Noongar Aboriginal birdlife. The hotel has country pub sized meals, language, is a world-class, nature-based, off-road » Markets great views, and an interesting heritage. Return cycling experience. Starting in Mundaring, the » Various dining options via the through Kalamunda Trail meanders through scenic river valleys and » Picnic spots to Perth, taking in the native bushland, and in the magnificent eucalypt forests of Western » Heritage and cultural attractions particular the bright wattle along the roadsides Australia’s South West. The Munda Biddi Trail and displays which flower through June to September. is currently open between Mundaring and National Parks: One third of the Mundaring Manjimup (approx 600km) and Denmark and Shire is classified as State Forest with a bountiful Albany (approx 75km). Once construction is selection of trails to enjoy including six of the complete, the trail will join between Manjimup State’s Top Trails. There are five national parks and Denmark and be similar in length as the in the . Most of the parks are Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Track (named natural bushland with many walk trails, including after the original Indigenous peoples of the the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail (approx region), is one of the world’s great long distance 60kms), which retraces the old Eastern Railway walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms from and the settlements that once linked Fremantle Kalamunda, to the historic town of Albany on the to York. Along the way you can walk through south coast. It passes through the heart of the WA’s only historical railway tunnel. There are two scenic South West of Western Australia. The Track waterfalls in John Forrest National Park – Hovea is for walkers only and is signposted with yellow RAC Recommends triangular markers symbolising the ‘Waugal’ and the National Park Falls. Inattention affects all drivers, especially in (rainbow serpent of the aboriginal Dreaming). It Water Catchments: Mundaring Weir is one of the rural WA. Fatalities in the Wheatbelt are 6x takes walkers through towering karri and tingle area’s key attractions. The weir is surrounded higher than that of the WA state average. forests, down mist-shrouded valleys, over giant by dense forest with plenty of scenic picnic RAC recommends rest, before driving, granite boulders and along breathtaking coastal spots and is the start of the longest freshwater stopping regularly, sharing the drive and heathlands. It passes through many of the most pipeline in the world from Mundaring to the allowing enough travel time. beautiful national parks of the South West forests Goldfields (see the Golden Pipeline and coastline. Trail). Completed in 1903, it’s still regarded as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. Step Dining and retail attractions: Whilst Mundaring isn’t short of space to throw down a picnic rug it inside the No. 1 Pump Station and learn more Visitor Centres about the weir’s operation and its remarkable also has an abundance of cafes and restaurants Mundaring (08) 9295 0202 history.Although the project was completed and a selection of boutique wineries all in the more than 100 years ago it remains one of the highest wine-growing region in WA. Discover first- Shire of Mundaring (08) 9295 6666 longest freshwater pipelines in the world and a class restaurants, cafes and a famous pizzeria, starting point for the Golden Pipeline Heritage open-air markets, art galleries, outdoor concerts Trail and Kep Track. Lake Leschenaultia is another and cinema and heritage-listed hotels, inns and attraction not to be missed. With its clear water taverns oozing with country charm. Accomodation and white sand beaches, it’s the next best thing Information: To find out more about what’s on Visit racparksandresorts.com.au to the coast for the locals. To explore it you can offer in Mundaring, visitmundaringtourism. or contact your nearest RAC hire a canoe at the lake and paddle across or com.au For information and guides for John travel centre to book today. walk the track that circles it. If you’re keen to see Forrest National Park visit the dec.wa.gov.au and some native wildlife, a guided tour through the see ‘Visit our world-class parks.’ Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. The tours Events and activities: The Mundaring Truffle set out at dusk along the bush track where you’ll Festival will be held on the weekend of 28 and 29 Park Passes see nocturnal animals such as Woylies, Tammar July in conjunction with the Perth Hills Wine Show. RAC members receive 50% off Wallabies and Quenda. National Park Passes. Purchase yours Tracks and Trails: The Kep Track is part of the today at rac.com.au/parkpasses. National Trust of Australia (WA) Golden Pipeline project to commemorate the water supply pipeline built in the 1890s to pump water to Kalgoorlie – further and higher than had been Useful tips Need a car? Hire a car through Thrifty car rental and save.

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Call 9436 4840, go to rac.com.au/greatdrives or pop into your local RAC Travel Centre

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