We all enjoy spending quality time with our families and little ones, and what better way to connect with family than in and around nature. With 28,000km of marked designated trails in WA, your nearest trail is often closer than you think.
Here are five hand picked tracks that will take you and your tribe on a path of discovery. From magical fairy doors, and mysterious shipwrecks, to dancing fairy wrens, and peculiar pelicans swimming alongside fascinating spoonbills.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack up your picnics, put on your walking shoes on, and step out the front door and open your child’s eyes to the wonder of trails.
Wildflower Walk Trail, John Forrest NP | 4.6km | Hiking Trail
Situated in the Darling Ranges, John Forrest is the oldest National Park in Western Australia and passes through varied vegetation types, including heathlands, open wandoo woodlands and mixed jarrah-marri-wandoo forest.
This popular trail is great for the kiddies with fairy houses lining the Jane Brook Promenade close to the trail these historic huts make the perfect picnic or snack stop for tired little legs.
The trail has some steep inclines and slippery sections so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and take it slow in warm weather.
Denmark Fairy Doors Trail, Denmark WA | 3.8km | Walking Trail
A delightful family friendly walk trail along the Denmark River, where you can find doors of the local fairy homes on the base of trees, behind bushes and on tree trunks.
This walk is perfect for children, parents, grandparents and all other types of fairy seekers. Aside from the magical fairies you are likely to see pelicans, herons, karri and paperbark trees and tranquil views of the Denmark River.
Allow around 30 – 40 minutes to complete this trail and ensure you find all the fairy doors.
Coogee Maritime Trail, City of Cockburn | 0.3km | Snorkel Trail
During its long life The Omeo suffered a number of collisions before it met its final resting place on the beach in Coogee. One significant crash included smashing into and demolishing the Swanspit Lighthouse in Port Phillip Bay, luckily there was no loss of life there.
Now Omeo is Perth's premier beachside shipwreck dive, accessible close to shore in shallow, clear water. Omeo is a historically significant and federally protected iron steamship that was built in 1858 in Newcastle (England).
Just 25 metres from the shore, the Coogee Maritime dive and snorkel trail is perfect for families.
With excellent access to the wreck with a bridge over the rocks and shallow water upon entry. More confident swimmers can also check out the artificial reef and underwater sculptures – to the right of the wreck including a giant starfish you can swim through! Parking is limited so arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Kalamunda Fairy Door Trail | 2.7km | Walking Trail
Fairies have taken over Kalamunda! This urban trail takes you through the inner streets of central Kalamunda where you can search for gorgeous little fairy doors hiding near the business entrances. This is a great trail for the kids, and it's a challenge to find every single one.
Maps are available from the Perth Hills Kalamunda Visitor Centre, and you can tick the fairy doors off on the map as you find them. There are plenty of cafes and shops along the way to grab something to eat or pack a picnic or BBQ and spend the afternoon at Stirk Park.
Butterflies, Birds & Bridges Trail, Canning River Pk | 4km | Walking Trail
One of the most stunning trails in the Canning River Regional Park, this four kilometre dual use trail will take you over sedge meadows, through mature woodlands, over creeks and amongst the crowns of a paperbark forest.
This wheelchair friendly trail is perfect for buggies, scooters and trikes with multiple stopping points along the way. For all you twitchers and bird lovers out there Canning River Park as over 97 species of birds, which is approximately half the number of species recorded on the Swan Coastal Plain. Look out for waterbirds including cormorants, swamp hens, ibis, pelican, egret, ducks and even spoonbills.
