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Echidna Trail, Walyunga NP

Bush Walk inPerth & Surrounds

  • Half day
  • 11 km
    • Bush Walk Grade 3

This 11 kilometre loop trail in Walyunga National Park initially follows the Avon River before it ascends steeply to the western side of the river.  It passes through marri and wandoo woodland, currently with a thick understorey of regrowth after fire, before offering good views of the Avon Valley from Woodsome Hill.

Trail beside river
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Trail Start

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The trail starts at the Walyunga Pool car park, Walyunga NP 1 hour north east of Perth

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The track is rocky and involves some steep gravel ascents and descents.   In late winter and spring there are abundant wildflowers. The trail is marked with black footprints and is best walked in an anticlockwise direction. 

Walyunga National Park covers 1,800 hectares of the Darling Range, tucked behind the Darling Scarp, covering both sides of a steep valley.  Just to the east of the park, in the picturesque Avon Valley, the Avon River joins the Brockman River to form the Swan River which passes through the tree lined valley.

Walyunga contains one of the largest known Aboriginal campsites around Perth and was still in use by the Nyoongar people late last century. The area has been used as a meeting place for more than 6000 years. Walyunga is an Aboriginal name, but its meaning is uncertain.  Local Noongar people believe the Swan River was carved by the Waugal, and greet the dreamtime serpent here by rubbing sand on their bodies and throwing it in the water.

The Swan River is the main attraction in the park as it thunders through in winter and meanders by in the drier months, lined with smooth granite boulders. The Echinda trail starts beside the lower pool in Walyunga and follows the river past Syd's Rapids. It then ascends steeply to Woodsome Hill from where there are excellent views of the Avon Valley.  It passes through heathlands with hakeas, grevilleas, verticordias, hibbertias and triggerplants. Although the animals except for kangaroos are elusive during the day, there is a myriad of birdlife including galahs, parrots, black-faced cuckoo shrikes, thornbills and fantails. The trail is best walked anticlockwise, so as to avoid a slippery and steep descent. Its marker is a black footprint.

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(08) 9257 9998

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Be trail ready for Echidna Trail, Walyunga NP

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

3 - 4 hours

Length

11km loop

What To Pack

Group B (Bushwalks and/or longer trails) required.

Trail Start

The trail starts at the Walyunga Pool car park, Walyunga NP 1 hour north east of Perth

Get directions

Trail End

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.

Difficulty Notes

The steep ascents and descents make the trail suitable to experienced walkers.

Facilities

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Coach Parking
  • Parking for Disabled
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area

Best time of year

March to November Walyunga National Park is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm

Fees

National Park fees apply

Trail Access

Road 2WD

Prohibited Items

No pets or fires are permitted in the National Park
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14 trail goers have rated Echidna Trail, Walyunga NP as 4 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Coralie Sherwin

Reviewed 8 May 2022, 5:59pm

May 2022 - Group of 9 very chatty reasonably fit walkers completed this trail in about 2.5hrs. Anticlockwise. Nice to begin walking next to the river. Hills were enduring but not awful. Downhill a little steep, gravel made it a little slippery, many walking stick sized branches conveniently near the sides of the paths came in handy. May consider taking the hiking sticks next time. Most of trail was 4 wheel drive accessible. Much of the trail was reasonably shaded. Great views made the hills worth it. Plenty of kangaroos. Only downside was perhaps a lack of places (rocks or sitting logs) to stop for a little refreshment and morning tea along the way. Benches at the end/beginning of walk were appreciated!
Alexa Whitehorn

Reviewed 8 Oct 2021, 9:40am

I was SO excited when I spotted an echidna! I walked in a clockwise direction and completed it in 2 hours without a pack. I started at 8:30am and didn't see anyone for the first 7kms, but then it got a little busy (it was school holidays). I got to hang out with an echidna for ages while he was sniffing around! I kept my distance but he was pretty relaxed. Beautiful spot for a picnic and you can find some space to yourself if you walk down the river a bit.
Willow Barker

Reviewed 7 Dec 2020, 2:19pm

I am new to hiking so it's hard for me to know how to review. However I as one of my first hikes I enjoyed the challenge & changes in terrain.. I fount it a workout. I did it anticlockwise and think I prefer it this way so you get the steep descent done first. The first part along the river is lovely & peaceful and I agree its worth starting the trail at Walyunga Car park ( 1st car-park). Pity you cant get here earlier than 8am. I didn't really find a place I wanted to stop and picnic so I ended up having my snack back at the picnic spot next to the river which I enjoyed. As a solo hiker the $15 us a lot ( I think I'll look into getting a WA NP annual pass) Took me 2 hours & 50 mins.
Michael Sargeant

Reviewed 1 Jul 2020, 6:24pm

I did the track anti clockwise today with a light pack in about two and a half hours and quite enjoyed it. There's a self service payment machine at the entry to the park which only takes cards, and a gate that is opened 8am-5pm each day. As others have said, the inclines that start after Syd's rapids can be tough at times, but its all downhill for about the last quarter, which gets you quickly to the end. The track passes through a good number of changes in landscape and flora, and now its Winter with everything quite green and a few flowering plants and fungi to be seen. I encountered plenty of kangaroos and lots of different birdlife, but unfortunately no echidnas. I'll definitely be back in Spring when more of the wildflowers are blooming.
Chris Nener

Reviewed 22 Oct 2017, 6:30pm

A nice trail. Anti-clockwise it starts off following Long Pond to Syds Rapids before it gets to the incline, certainly got puffed heading up but nothing too strenuous. Saw plenty of bird life and kangaroos. The views from the top are beautiful as well. Clearly signed. Can be finished in around 2.5 - 3 hours without a pack.
Irina Guidara

Reviewed 30 Sep 2017, 10:15pm

Today my friends and I complete this trail. There were 4 adults, one - eight year old and my friend was also caring a baby in a baby carrier. It was quite a challenge as kids got tired and we had to stop for them. We went anti-clockwise and completed it in four hours. Trail was well marked with clear signage. But we have noticed that most of people completed the trail in clockwise direction as supposibly it is easier this way. I really enjoyed the trail and would definitely do it again in the same direction.
Peter Harrison

Reviewed 30 Jul 2017, 8:01pm

I walked the perimeter today, the hills are pretty challenging but I'm a fit-ish 55 and managed them relatively easily. Some great outlooks, was fortunate to see a freight train pass through when I was nearing the top. I will be back soon, but not when the Avon decent is on
Georgia Villaflor

Reviewed 17 Oct 2016, 9:52am

Walked this trail about a week ago, it was my first trail in Perth. It starts off fairly relaxed but gets quiet steep in places and I would say over half is a difficult incline so be aware of that when taking packs. There is clear signage throughout and you get a great view.
naomi patchett

Reviewed 6 Oct 2016, 6:50pm

Hello, I did this trail on Tuesday. Probably not a good one to try out a new pack that I loaded with 8kg on. Lots of hills that are quite steep. A very enjoyable walk with lots to see. Felt so great when I got to the car lol need to toughen up on hills.
Emma Adams

Reviewed 7 Jul 2016, 5:01pm

Loved this trail. Everything felt so lush and green despite the minimal rains (at the time I went). There are some steep sections, but nothing unmanageable, and the trail is easy to follow. I think we completed it in a bit less than 3 hours, but it could be quicker too. Saw lots of kangaroos which was really cool. Plan on going back after a rainy period to see how the trail has changed. Definitely recommend doing this trail.
lavinia wilson

Reviewed 5 Apr 2016, 4:03pm

walked this trail on the weekend and also found it clearly signed and easy to follow. the start of the trail, beside the river, was lovely and we were lucky that the water was flowing . i had to stop a few times during the steep sections but that is only because i'm not as fit as i once was. great views from the top . saw kangaroos and lots of birds. considering it's the end of summer was also surprised at how green it was. can imagine in winter and when the wildflowers are out this walk will be quite pretty . great day !
Jason Jenke

Reviewed 7 Mar 2016, 9:03pm

I walked this trail today. I found the trail to be clearly signed and easy to follow. I thoroughly recommend this trail and I really enjoyed the terrain. With the regeneration of the bush and the multitudes of rocky outcrops , the views and the kangaroos were around every corner. I'll definitely be back.
Paul Prescott

Reviewed 12 Jan 2016, 3:39pm

I walked this trail for the 1st time today. Whether the signs have been recently replaced I cannot say - but I found the signage to be clear and easy to follow as long as you walk the trail anti-clockwise. Quite steep in places but well worth the effort. The vegetation has clearly suffered from a fire in the not too distant past but is quite varied along the way. One I will do again.
Ally Catt

Reviewed 11 Oct 2015, 12:19pm

This trail is quite terribly signed. Met people in the carpark who turned around because they got lost. We missed 2 signs (even though we were paying special attention to find them) because the track was overgrown and main trails leading off without signs to say which trail it is youre following.. can totally understand how they got lost. The walk is signed as grade 4 in the park and its quite hilly but totally worth the hike if youre careful to not get lost! Saw some roos and plenty of birds along the way
a good adventure.

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