Lesmurdie Falls is a free, dog-friendly walk in the Perth Hills, with a waterfall in winter and spring and one of the best views of the city all year.
A waterfall 30 minutes from the city
Lesmurdie Falls, in Lesmurdie in the Perth Hills, is one of my favourite short walks near Perth. It’s free, it’s only about 30 minutes from the city, and you can be standing at the top of the falls looking out over the whole Swan Coastal Plain within a few minutes of parking the car.
The falls themselves run best in late winter and spring, after decent rain. In summer and most of autumn they’re usually dry, but the view from the top is worth the drive any time of year.
Quick facts
- Where: Lesmurdie Falls car park, Falls Road, Lesmurdie, in Mundy Regional Park.
- Distance from Perth: About 22 km, or 30 minutes by car.
- Cost: Free. There’s no park entry fee.
- Best time: June to November, when the falls are flowing and the wildflowers are out.
- Walks: From 1.5 km (Lesmurdie Brook Loop) to 5.5 km (Palm Terrace Walk).
- Facilities: Toilets, a picnic shelter and tables near the car park. No drinking water, so bring your own.
- Dogs: Allowed on a lead.
“Really nice walk with great views especially from the top.”
Simon, Tripadvisor review
Which walk to do
There are a handful of marked trails from the Falls Road car park, so you can make it as easy or as hard as you like.
- Lesmurdie Brook Loop (1.5 km, easy): a gentle loop beside the brook, with timber bridges and seats along the way. Good for families and older legs.
- Foot of the Falls Trail (2 km return, moderate): heads down past the lookout to the base of the falls. It’s steep with plenty of steps, and the climb back up to the car park is short but hard work.
- Shoulder Trail (1.5 km return, moderate): crosses a footbridge to another big view over the valley.
- Valley Loop (3 km, moderate): a longer loop with some uneven gravel sections.
- Palm Terrace Walk (5.5 km, fairly hard): the big one, with lots of views over Perth.
The view from the top
The lookout near the top of the falls is the highlight for me. You look straight down the valley and across the plain to the city skyline, and on a clear day you can pick out Rottnest on the horizon. Late afternoon is the best time, when the light turns gold over the city.
“Not huge falls by International standards but very pretty.”
Richard T, Tripadvisor review
When to go
If you want to see water coming down the rock face, go between June and November, ideally a day or two after rain. Spring is my pick, because the wildflowers are out along the trails as well. In summer, go early in the morning or late in the day, take plenty of water and stick to the shorter walks, as it gets hot on the exposed sections.
“It’s worth taking a look, especially in spring when the water is flowing.”
Jeffry b, Tripadvisor review
Getting there
Lesmurdie Falls is about 22 km east of the city, or roughly 30 minutes by car. Follow the signs to Falls Road in Lesmurdie and park at the Lesmurdie Falls car park. There’s more on the trails and facilities on the Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Make a day of it in the hills. Kalamunda is just up the road, so pair the falls with my Zig Zag scenic drive and lookouts.
Featured image: Colton Harris-Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There’s no entry fee for Mundy Regional Park or the Lesmurdie Falls car park.
