A well kept secret. Just half an hour away from Perth there is John Forrest National Park. The Park was named after Mr. John Forrest, a Western Australian explorer. Around 1900 there used to be a train line connecting the Perth’s city folk to the bush, the remainders of a tunnel are still there and can be looked at. Now the Great Eastern Highway serves that purpose...

A well kept secret. Just half an hour away from Perth there is John Forrest National Park. The Park was named after Mr. John Forrest, a Western Australian explorer. Around 1900 there used to be a train line connecting the Perth’s city folk to the bush, the remainders of a tunnel are still there and can be looked at. Now the Great Eastern Highway serves that purpose.

The best time to visit this wonderful spot is in Spring, when the wildflowers put on their luscious display. I am totally mad about wildflowers and anyone who feels the same will appreciate this National Park as much as I do. There are several walks and trails around the park.

Entry costs AUD$ 8,- per car or per motorbike, which you pay at the entrance to the area. The ticket is valid for a day. You can also purchase National Park tickets that enable you to visit groups of different National Parks during a year or a month, just stick them on your windscreen. You can get more information from CALM (Australian Conservation and Land Management).

Not only does the Park attract visitors because of its abundant and diverse vegetation, but the stream that evolves to the Hovea Falls. However, this can only be enjoyed in winter and early spring, when there is enough water in the stream. On our days in the park we chose to walk the 3km path on the dense bush side along the stream.

This path is quite difficult to walk on in some parts, so if you choose to go the same way, take good shoes with you. The path leads along the stream past the falls, down to the rockypools and further to the Parking spot at the other end. It took us 2 ½ hours to walk there and 20 minutes back to our parking bay via a more direct path. We took long breaks and admired the colourful display of the flowers.

So if you ever find yourself in this area in spring, go and have a look. For "taking it easy-folk" there is a little restaurant/kiosk at the main parking lot. A bit further down you will find wooden tables and benches and, of course, barbecue facilities. The kids can have a wonder around and play in the water while the parents have a cook off. Something for everyone. Please do take care and follow the park rules as put together by the rangers. There are bins for rubbish disposal everywhere. No need to feed the wildlife with plastic or beer cans.

All photos by A. Goss & S. Goss

© A.Goss, April 2001