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Mt Dale Circuit, Helena NP

Bush Walk inPerth & Surrounds

  • 1-3 hours
  • 2.5 km
    • Bush Walk Grade 2

The Mount Dale Walk Trail follows the contours of Mount Dale to its peak, where walkers enjoy panoramic views of the Darling Ranges. Venture through beautiful jarrah forest taking in the sights of Mount Cooke to the south and the farmlands to the east.

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Trail Start

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Mount Dale picnic area, Helena National Park, 80km (1.5 hours) south of Perth

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Mount Dale was once the site of a fire lookout tower as it provides almost uninterrupted 360° views over the National Park and surrounding State Forest areas. The lower recreation site at Mount Dale provides a pleasant spot for family picnics. The area is prolific with wildflowers in spring and has beautiful wildlife such as eagles, kangaroos and reptiles to name a few.  

An animal viewing hide has been constructed on the north side of Mount Dale and provides spectacular views over the Helena National Park and the Darkin River Valley.

Initially the trail is easy to follow through the bush but requires some navigation before ending up at the lookout. From here on descent, the trail joins up with the Bibbulmun Track, returning to the Mount Dale picnic area. The Bibbulmun Track, which runs from Kalamunda to Albany, travels close-by to Mount Dale and the lower recreation area provides an ideal drop-off/pick-up point for Bibb Track walkers.

Follow Brookton Highway from Kelmscott for 47km (Kelmscott is approximately 24 kilometres from Perth). Turn left into Ashendon Road and then turn right into Dale Road (six kilometres). Follow Dale Road to Mount Dale. This will take approximately one hour 20 minutes from Perth.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service

+61 8 9776 1207

National Parks

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Be trail ready for Mt Dale Circuit, Helena NP

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

Time / Duration

1 to 2 hours

Length

2.5km

What To Pack

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

Trail Start

Mount Dale picnic area, Helena National Park, 80km (1.5 hours) south of Perth

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Trail End

Bush Walk

Grade 2

No bushwalking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10km. Suitable for families with young children.

Facilities

Wildlife viewing hide
  • Lookouts
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet

Best time of year

March to November

Fees

Entry fees to Helena National Park

Trail Access

Road, last 18km on gravel road

Prohibited Items

No pets
More tips for being Trail Ready
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Bibbulmun Track

This trail is part of the Bibbulmun Track badge

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7 trail goers have rated Mt Dale Circuit, Helena NP as 2.71 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.

Stuart Bridge

Reviewed 21 Apr 2022, 8:43am

Walked in April 2022. Mid morning walk on a fine but overcast day. A well maintained and easy to follow trail with plenty of trail markers. Fantastic views from various points around the trail. Took just over an hour, including plenty of stops to take photos and look a the flora. There were signs to indicate that burns were planned in the area and to contact Parks and Wildlife (number provided) if planning to stay in the area. Road in is unsealed for approx 15-20k depending on where you enter but easily traveled for most vehicles with a few light corrugations.
Ian Steer

Reviewed 15 Jun 2021, 5:05pm

*VERY* overgrown in places and basically not marked. Despite having the trail on the GPS, it was difficult at times (around the east side of Mt Dale) to even spot where the trail was. Probably better to try it clockwise and turn in at the sign off the Bibbulmun. We went anti-clockwise and it's not even clear where the trail starts.
Nelson Jones

Reviewed 29 Dec 2020, 9:16am

Pretty much as previous reviews, to be honest. This could be a nice trail if it was better marked, and the overgrown vegetation cleared away. Views were great, but the walk was less than enjoyable.
Fayley Arthur

Reviewed 1 Jan 2020, 12:55pm

Beautiful views and the trail was obviously well constructed with quite a bit of $ for steps etc, but it has been allowed to get overgrowth with spiky parrot bush. If someone went through with a hedge trimmer and nailed in a few more blue triangles it would be a 4 star trail.
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Marco Zecca

Reviewed 14 Jul 2019, 8:23pm

The views are what make this trail. The loop is still partially overgrown. If you start from the lookout, make sure to find the way (follow blue arrow sign). The signage is generally quite poor, no panels with description or trail photo map. The 15-20 km gravel road to get there is doable with a 2WD vehicle, however 4WD is preferred. Overall, recommended
David Harrowfield

Reviewed 1 Nov 2015, 10:38am

I did this trail in September 2015. Despite the smoke due to prescribed burns, the views were indeed very good, but the trail was in poor condition. It was badly overgrown on the SE side and treacherous underfoot in a few places. The scarcity of signage on the W and N sides also made it hard to follow, as the track was indistinguishable from the surrounding bush/rock in places. I had no trouble getting to the location in my 2WD wheelbarrow.
Cameron Broad

Reviewed 20 Oct 2014, 2:25pm

This trail is extremely hard to find as there is no signage once you are off the main road. I would recommend taking a 4WD as the road conditions are terrible. Once you get there the walk is actually pretty good. Views are absolutely amazing but the track is in need of some maintenance and is hard to follow do to limited amount of signposts showing you where to go. Definitely has potential with some work.

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