Pack the kids gum boots and head out on the trails this school holiday.
Parents, you may blame Peppa Pig for your kids' need to puddle jump but contrary to popular belief, it's an activity for all the family. Though, as an adult, we’d recommend you take part in this activity along the trail, not your local town pavement!
With it being the season for raincoats and muddy laundry piles, we thought we’d help you embrace the inevitable with a roundup of the perfect puddle jumping trails this school holiday. From natural spas to historical fariy houses, you’ll have plenty to explore. Just make sure to pack your gum boots!
Jane Brook Promenade, John Forrest NP | 0.5km | Bush Walk
This trail is the historic centre of John Forrest National Park. With a universal access path over bridges and past historic and very cute little fairy houses, it’s a perfect trail for the kids to explore. There's a small nature playground just near the start and plenty of rocks and pools of water to venture into.
If you’re looking to learn some history, there are plaques along the way which will tell you about the area, it's preservation over the years and the iconic fairy houses. There's plenty of spots to enjoy the bush and watch the Kangaroos jump around, including picnic tables, bbq's and shaded areas scattered around the carpark.
Bush Walk Class 1: All abilities access, flat, even, hardened surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required.
Baldivis Children's Forest Trail | 2km | Bush Walk
A trail made specifically for a gumboot day out! Containing tuart woodlands and a conservation category wetland, Baldivis Children’s Forest is a unique public reserve of 49 acres located approximately 50 kilometers south of Perth. It was created and maintained as a bushland reserve by children since it began.
There are various walk trails to discover in this reserve managed for conserving native plants and animals. Local students have played a key role in establishing plants indigenous to the area, ensuring they remain healthy and provide a natural and safe habitat for a whole range of animal, reptile and bird species.
There's event an under cover area for a picnic and a small commuinty library with with a few books to enjoy while waiting for the rain to pass.
Bush Walk Class 1: All abilities access, flat, even, hardened surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required.
Whistlepipe Gully, Mundy Regional Park | 3.5km | Bush Walk
This 3.5km return walk sits within the Mundy Regional Park in the Perth Hills. It not only gets you up close to the waterfall, but to a superb vantage point looking out at the Swan Coastal Plain. The trail follows the narrow river as it courses over cascades and small waterfalls. The trail simply follows the stream down one side and returns up the other.
A curious feature on this trail is the remains of a house which spanned the falls in the 60's. It must have been a fabulous place to live but was built without the proper planning permission and had to be demolished.
Bush Walk Class 3: Moderate trail that may have short steep hills, rough surface, many steps or some rock hopping. Directional signage. Some bushwalking experience and moderate fitness required.
Roley Pools Nature’s Spa, Roley Pool Reserve | 0.3 km | Bush Walk
This tranquil yet historic trail runs along the north side of the Canning River in Roleystone, between Soldiers Road and the staircase entrance from Collins Road. Roley Pools has been used as a local swimming hole for many years and is part of Roleystone folklore. Whilst strolling along the banks of Djarlgarro (Canning River) to the Roley Pools, you’ll be able to view relics of the historic diving board and change rooms.
A wide and diverse range of wildlife can be found in and around this section of the river, with many native ducks, kingfishers, Quenda, kangaroos, wallabies, several species of fish, snakes, lizards and Australia's only native water rat, "Rakali" residing there.
Bush Walk Class 3: Moderate trail that may have short steep hills, rough surface, many steps or some rock hopping. Directional signage. Some bushwalking experience and moderate fitness required.
Lesmurdie Falls, Mundy Regional Park | 2km | Bush Walk
One of the most spectacular waterfalls on the Darling Range escarpment, there are a number of walking trails you can explore. Depending on the time you have, your level of fitness and the degree of difficulty you choose, there is plenty on offer for all the family.
Expect to find lush vegetation growing where bubbling brook hits the base of the waterfall – which some say is comparable to those over in New Zealand. And why not finish your exploration off enjoying morning tea or lunch in the near by Kalamunda Village.
Bush Walk Class 3: Moderate trail that may have short steep hills, rough surface, many steps or some rock hopping. Directional signage. Some bushwalking experience and moderate fitness require
