Top Trail: Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine NP, Jarrahdale
Overview
The 16 kilometre return Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail is one of the beautiful walks accessible from the historic town of Jarrahdale. An hour’s drive south east of Perth, Jarrahdale is an ideal day trip for a walk and lunch at the winery or one of the cafes.
About the Trail
Originally a timber mill town in 1872, with the last mill closing in 1997, Jarrahdale is now a historic town using its jarrah trees for tourism instead of logging.
Kitty’s Gorge Trail follows the Serpentine River and Gooralong Brook. Along the way, it passes impressive granite outcrops and the Brook's many waterfalls. It has steep loose sections and uneven ground and requires a degree of fitness. It can be accessed from either the carpark opposite the cemetary in Jarrahdale or from the Falls carpark in the Serpentine National Park. If walking from the township of Jarrahdale include the short loop of Stacey’s Track.
While in the area, why not try one of the many other walking trails. They range from short ambles to longer challenging trails, more details and maps can be found in the "Walks Around Jarrahdale" booklet and CD which is available at Visitor Centres or outlets in Jarrahdale.
Need to Know
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Time
Time depends on individual itinerary -
Distance
16.5km return or 8.25km to the Serpentine Falls from the cemetary at Jarrahdale Length is 16.5km. -
Trail Start
Carpark opposite the cemetary in Jarrahdale 60km (1 hour) south of Perth -
Degree of Difficulty
Moderate - Moderate level of fitness and experience required.
Bush Walk: Grade 3 - Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections a rough surface and many steps. Walks up to 20km.Depends on walk option chosen
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What to Pack?
To avoid returning up-hill by the trail, you might wish to organise a car shuffle between here and Serpentine Falls, which is 15km away by road.
Group B (Bushwalks and/or longer trails) required.
- Minimum 2 litres of water per person per day
- Sturdy shoes
- Sun hat or bike helmet (compulsory in WA)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen (30+) and insect repellant
- Binoculars and camera (optional)
- Map or guide book where suggested
- Snacks and/or lunch depending on length of trail
- Clothes to suit the activity and potential weather conditions including a water/windproof jacket
- First Aid kit
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Best Time of the Year
All year round -
Facilities
Walks Around Jarrahdale booklet and CD available from visitor centre
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Fees
Entry fees to Serpentine National Park. -
Hazards & Warnings
Steep loose sections and uneven ground. Wooden and metal boardwalks can be slippery when wet -
Prohibited Items
No pets or bikes -
Access to the Trail
Road. Park gates open from 8:30am to 5:00pm -
Trail Contact
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service
Web: http://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploreparkswa
Twitter: @exploreparks.wa
Destinations
Jarrahdale
Sitting on the Darling Scarp, surrounded by forest, Jarrahdale was Western Australia's very first timber town. Today, its scenic woodlands, parks, rivers, orchards and vineyards offer a tranquil escape from modern city life, while its National Trust listed heritage gives you glimpses of a bygone country life. This very different world lies less than an hour's drive south east of Perth city, along the South Western Highway. You can also enter its forested hinterland, the Darling Ranges, along the Bibbulmun Track - one of the world's best long-distance walking trails winding over 1,000 kilometres through a vast corridor of green from Kalamunda in Perth, to Albany on the south west coast. Within a day, you can indulge your passion for nature, history, art, fine food and wine, touring the region's many attractions. Or you can take it at a slower pace and just enjoy a traditional Australian family barbecue and bushwalk in one of many parks and dam reserves. One of Perth's biggest dams, the Serpentine, is a great picnic spot with a playground, toilets and even a casual dining café. Or head into the Serpentine National Park to picnic and stroll among the pine trees at Gooralong Park. Nearby, Langford Park and Pipehead Dam are equally picturesque too. Exploring Jarrahdale's scenic forests and fertile coastal plains, you'll retrace the steps of one of the oldest surviving cultures on Earth. The local Noongar people lived a nomadic lifestyle in these landscapes for many thousands of years before being discovered by early European pioneers and settlers. Many restored timber cottages in the town reflect its early life as an agricultural community of the 1830s and thriving timber town of the 1870s. Some house intriguing museum collections, such as the Old Post Office, which also serves as the town's visitor centre. Others invite you into charming tea gardens, artist's studios, antique stores and charming bed and breakfast accommodation. For something a little out of the ordinary, stay in a restored railway carriage, or go budget-wise with a family-friendly chalet.
Jarrahdale
