The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Greenmount National Park

One of the best parts about John Forrest National Park is just how close it is the Perth. At just 24 kilometres from town you can be out on the trails less than 30 minutes after leaving the city limits. From this view point you can see Perth in the distance for a reminder of just how close these two very different worlds are.

Located just 30 minutes east of Perth, John Forrest National Park was established in 1900 and is Western Australia’s oldest national park. It is famous for its jarrah and marri forests, dramatic rocky outcrops, and seasonal (winter-spring) waterfalls. Set on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people, the park is a popular multi-use destination where hikers, mountain bikers, and families share the terrain. Swan View Tunnel on the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail is a unique feature of the park and it offers a cool, dark passage through the hillside for those exploring on foot or by bike. Kangaroos and other wildlife often lounge near the picnic areas, visitors are reminded to keep dogs at home in order to protect the park's diverse wildflower displays and local wildlife.

This rest spot is just a fallen tree, that can be used as a bench in a clearing to take a rest on.

Eagle View Lookout is a spot where the Eagle View Walk Trail emerges from the forest to a boulderers outcrop with 360 views. Watch out for ants if you're sitting up here enjoying the view.

National Park Falls is a small waterfall in John Forrest National Park, best visited after rain when the flow is strongest. The setting is quiet, surrounded by bushland and rock ledges where water runs through the valley.

Swan View Tunnel is one of the most memorable features on the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, passing through a curved railway tunnel in John Forrest National Park. It’s completely dark inside, with an uneven gravel surface, so a torch or phone light is recommended. The air feels noticeably cooler as you walk through.

John Forrest National Park is one of Western Australia’s oldest national parks, known for its jarrah forest, seasonal waterfalls, and walking tracks that follow old railway lines. Sections of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail pass through here, alongside routes to spots like National Park Falls and Swan View Tunnel. Around the main visitor areas, such as this one, you’ll find parking, picnic areas, toilets, and a water fountain to refill bottles, making it a convenient place to start or break up a walk. Trails are generally wide and mostly level, but can be uneven in places.

The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail follows a former rail line through the Perth Hills, with long, mostly level sections that are easy to walk or cycle. You’ll pass through forest, cuttings, and old railway features, including tunnels and timber bridges. Popular access points like Mundaring and Swan View have parking and basic facilities. Surfaces are generally compact gravel, but can be uneven in places. The Swan View Tunnel is a standout section, but bring a torch. Watch for cyclists, and carry water as some stretches have limited shade.