A 340 metre railway tunnel from the 1890s, a waterfall and kangaroos at the tavern. Here's how to do the Swan View Tunnel walk in John Forrest National Park.
A walk with a tunnel in the middle
There aren’t many walks near Perth where you get to walk through a 19th-century railway tunnel. The Swan View Tunnel in John Forrest National Park, near Hovea, is one of them, and it’s one of my favourite easy walks in the hills.
The tunnel is 340 metres long. It opened in 1896 on the old Eastern Railway and closed in 1966, when trains moved to the new Avon Valley line. The tracks are long gone, and the old rail line is now a walking and cycling trail.
Quick facts
- Where: John Forrest National Park, starting from the Pechey Road car park in Swan View.
- The tunnel: 340 metres long, opened in 1896 and closed to trains in 1966.
- Surface: Flat, wide gravel trail. Loose gravel inside the tunnel.
- Bring: A torch or phone light, and proper shoes.
- Falls: National Park Falls past the tunnel, best in winter and spring.
- Cost: Free to walk in from Pechey Road. Vehicle fee to drive into the main picnic area.
“The old railway tunnel was quite spectacular, the light, shade, hot and cool juxtaposition was beautiful.”
Cam, Tripadvisor review
The walk
The easiest place to start is the small car park on Pechey Road in Swan View. From there, follow the heritage trail east into the park. It’s flat and wide, because trains needed a gentle grade.
The tunnel is dark in the middle, so bring a torch or use your phone light. The ground is loose gravel, so wear proper shoes. It’s also noticeably cooler inside, which is a nice break on a warm day.
National Park Falls
Keep walking past the tunnel and you’ll reach National Park Falls, where Jane Brook tumbles over a rocky ledge into the valley. The falls are best in winter and spring after rain. By late summer they’re often just a trickle, but the gorge is still pretty. See Explore Parks WA for trail details.
Keen walkers can continue on to Hovea Falls, then loop back for a longer half-day walk.
“We walked through the Swan View Tunnel which opened in 1896.”
Jana C, Tripadvisor review
Kangaroos and lunch
John Forrest is one of WA’s oldest national parks, and the main picnic area in the middle of the park has lawns, barbecues and a tavern. Kangaroos often graze nearby, which my nieces and nephews love. From the park it’s a short drive to Mundaring Weir, and if you’d like a longer walk or ride, the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail follows the same old train line east through Darlington.
“there is a pub where you can sit and enjoy your meal while seeing some kangaroos passing by!”
S4nnyBunny, Tripadvisor review
Good to know
- Fees: walking in from Pechey Road is free. A vehicle entry fee applies if you drive into the main picnic area. Check the John Forrest National Park page.
- Bikes: the trail is popular with cyclists, so keep left. Bike riders should be careful on the loose gravel inside the tunnel.
- Heat: in summer, walk early. There’s not much shade between the tunnel and the falls.
Featured image: Mark Ryan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
The tunnel is 340 metres long. It opened in 1896 and closed to trains in 1966.
