From the pristine blue waters on the coast and river to the picturesque green setting in the hills, Perth is home to some of the most spectacular walking trails in the world.
With more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia, you have plenty of time to get outside and explore your surroundings. And if you’re looking for a way to explore Perth that’s not cycling or driving, why not pop on some walking shoes and check out all the sites that Perth has to offer with these incredible walking trails.
Head west to Perth’s coastline
Western Australia has over 12,000km of coastline, with plenty of walking trails along the way. You can enjoy the popular Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Trail and pick up a coffee from one of the many cafes and restaurants in between, or watch the sun set over the ocean as you stroll along the coast from the northern beaches of Fremantle to Cottesloe, which was voted Australia's number one beach in 2019. You can even combine the river and the ocean with the Mosman Park Heritage Trail, a 10.5km walk that takes you along the river then through the bush while offering views of the Indian Ocean.
Head east to Perth’s hills and valleys
Get close to nature in the scenic Perth Hills, just 45 minutes inland from Perth. With more than 40 trails, you can indulge your love for nature while exploring the national parks and waterfalls. If you’d like to see all the sights but are after a shorter walk, try out the Lesmurdie Falls two kilometre bush walk, offering one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the Darling Range escarpment and views of Perth city on clear days.
If you’re after a full day or overnight camping adventure, head to the Bibbulmun Track – one of the world’s greatest long distance walk trails stretching from Kalamunda to Albany. And if you’re keen to check out panoramic views of a river valley and coastal plains while taking in majestic boulders and rushing water ways, get your dose of nature at Bells Rapids, close to the Swan Valley.
Explore the sights near Perth city
Just minutes from Perth is Kings Park – one of the biggest and most spectacular inner-city parks in the world (it’s even bigger than New York’s Central Park!). Offering views of the city and Swan River, Kings Park has plenty of walking trails, including a 40-minute walk through the Western Australian Botanic Garden amongst the treetops, where you’ll cross an elevated 52 metre glass and steel arched bridge suspended among a canopy of tall eucalypts.
Close to Kings Park is one of Perth’s iconic spots – the Crawley Boat House. Make sure you get a selfie here then follow the riverside trail along the Swan River for another spectacular walk.
Stay close to home and enjoy our campus
If you’re staying at the Murdoch University Village or just need a break from studying, why not take a walk around campus and enjoy the atmosphere right on your doorstep? Our Perth campus is one of the largest university campuses in Australia and there’s so much to explore – from our working farm and wetlands to our wide spanning natural environment. Make sure you look out for the friendly quendas who are usually spotted in the bushes along the footpaths.
Why not share your amazing Perth experiences and photos with your friends and family back home? Read about some of the ways you can stay in touch while you’re living in Perth.
