Lesmurdie Falls is a Perth favourite and it easy to see why. With walking trails ranging from easy to more challenging combined with a magnificent waterfall and stunning views across the Perth Coastal Plain this is a great place to spend a day out and about.
LESMURDIE FALLS PICNIC AREA
This area has picnic benches and toilet facilities and is at the main car park off Falls Road. There is also a large information board and map detailing the different walking tracks.
LESMURDIE BROOK LOOP TRAIL
The Lesmurdie Brook Loop Trail is a 1.5km loop developed by the Friends of Upper Lesmurdie Falls and the Lesmurdie and Districts Community Association. The trail meanders along the upper Lesmurdie Brook area. Paths are universal access so are pram friendly. There are lots of places for kids to interact with the brook, crossing handcrafted bridges or playing on the rocks. There are three parking areas along Falls Road with direct access to this trail including the main picnic area car park. The best time of year is winter when the water flows along the brook or Spring when the wildflowers are out.
FALLS TRAIL
The Falls Trail is a 640 m return trail that extends to the two lookouts over the head of the falls. Although it is paved it wasn't really universally accessible as the prams were having a bit of a battle.
FOOT OF THE FALLS TRAIL
This 2 km return trail is an extension of the Falls Trail and involves a steep descent followed by a short flat but rough detour to the foot of the falls and then returning uphill via the same path. The trail is narrow and quite rough and muddy in places after rains. There are a number of steps to negotiate. It was quite busy on the day we were there and the path is only just wide enough to comfortably pass someone going the opposite direction. The falls provide a magnificent backdrop and along with the profusion of Spring wildflowers it is a very pretty walk. Towards the bottom things got a bit tricky as there are a number of tracks, most of them muddy, but we kept heading downhill and eventually came out near the car park on Palm Terrace from which there is easy access to the Foot of the Falls for those not able to walk down the scarp.
We followed the narrow track to the Foot of the Falls and were rewarded with a spectacular view of the falls cascading down. There were a lot of people here so we didn't get right up to the base but I could feel the power of the falls from where we were. The rocks are slippery at this time of year so be aware of your kids if they are the adventurous type. During the dryer months you would be able to clamber over the rocks and get up closer.
On our return from the Foot of the Falls we noticed a sign midway along the trail indicating the Lions Lookout so we diverted onto a very narrow path climbing up hill through the bush. The lookout has another great view of the falls tumbling down the scarp. From the lookout we took a narrow path upwards. This path was heavily degraded by winter runoff and it was quite an adventure climbing up until we emerged onto the path at a group of rocks. walkers coming down before we emerged at a group of rocks. We had stopped here on our way down to take a photo of the city views but had missed the sign pointing to the little trail that provided a short cut to the foot of the falls. Our small detour shortened the return walk but it wasn't easy! We continued climbing back up the scarp on the main trail enjoying the view of the falls. The other side of the brook had a yellowish tinge from the wildflowers.
VALLEY LOOP TRAIL
This 3km trail follows the Falls Trail down from the Falls Road Car park before crossing the brook and heading up the opposite side and looping back to Falls Road. In Winter and Spring when the brook is flowing you actually need to ford the water (i.e. get wet feet) to complete this trail. Although we had intended to do this trail we were not prepared for water crossings so will save it for another time of year when the water flow eases off.
SHOULDER TRAIL
This is on the the list to do next time! A 1.5 km loop which crosses the brook and joins the Valley Loop Trail for a short distance on the way to the Shoulder which provides views of the falls and the coastal plain.
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In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.