Armadale Settlers Common

Armadale Setters Common is located in Bedfordale, Western Australia. It is a large bushland reserve that is known for a variety of wildflowers in spring, boasting 318 plant species. It is also home to diverse fauna.

There are a number of hiking trails in Armadale Settlers Common, offering a range of experiences, from easy walks to picnicking, wildlife observation and photography. We visited this place late August, searching for wildflowers. Surely enough, we found quite a selection of them.

Settlers Common East

This is the smaller part of the reserve, which has great picnic facilities with benches, picnic tables and shelters. Observation Circle has gravel trails, offering bushland hiking experience. Next to it, is paved path for pram and wheelchair access.

There is also the greater Settlers Common on the other side of Carradine Road with longer trails (all gravel). We haven’t covered that place, hence we can’t write much about it. So all the pictures were taken in Settlers Common East.

Lechenaultia Biloba (above left). Blue Squill – Chamaescilla corymbosa (above right).

Common Donkey Orchid – Diuris brumalis (above left). Hakea lissocarapha – Honey Bush (above right).

Kennedia coccinea – Coral Vine (above left). Kennedia prostrata – Running Postman (above right).

Lemon-scented Darwinia (above left). Milkmaids Burchardia congesta (above right).

Morning Iris – Orthrosanthus laxus (above left). Swan River Myrtle – Hypocalymma robustum (above right).

Hairy Jug Flower – Adenanthos barbiger (above left). Red Ink Sundew – Drosera erythrorhiza (above top right). Wilson’s Grevillea – above bottom right.

Location and additional info

In conclusion, there is some practical information. Armadale Settlers Common is about 40 minutes drive from Perth. You can access it from Canns Road or Carradine Road, Bedfordale. There is no entry fee and dogs are allowed in this place.

Serpentine Falls and Dam

Serpentine Falls
Serpentine Falls

Serpentine Falls is a popular attraction within Serpentine National Park, 55km southeast of Perth in Western Australia.

While the Falls is the main attraction in the national park, there are a number of different hiking trails from short to long and challenging. We were satisfied with a shorter (1km) Serpentine Falls Trail to enjoy the actual waterfall and the flora along the way, then having a picnic while watching the kangaroos and spotting many different types of birds.

Lemon scented Darwinia (above left). Banksia sessilis (above right).

Main picnic area at Serpentine Falls National Park (above left). Red Wattlebird Honeyeater (above right).

The main picnic area in the park is one of the places where western grey kangaroos are extremely friendly, so it was possible to take the shots like these ones.

Serpentine Dam

At the edge of the Serpentine National Park, on the eastern side, on Kingsbury Drive in Jarradale there is a Serpentine Dam picnic area with playground, toilets, picnic tables and bbq. The views of the Serpentine reservoir surrounded by the bushland are quite spectacular and the abundance of birdlife in that area is amazing.

Serpentine Dam (above left). Australian Ringneck (above middle and right).

Australian Laughing Kookaburra (above left). New Holland Honeyeater (above middle). Splendid Wren (above right).

In conclusion, this is a great place to visit as a day trip. It is probably best enjoyed in cooler months. In spring the variety of wildflowers are blooming. Autumn and winter are great for hikes too.

History, waterfalls and wildflowers at John Forrest NP

John Forrest National Park is rich in history, natural beauty and wildflowers. It is Western Australia’s first (and Australia’s second) national park. It was declared as National Park back in 1900 by WA’s first Premier Sir John Forrest and renamed as John Forrest National Park in 1947 to honour the great politician and explorer. The park is located in the Perth Hills, approximately 30km east from the city centre.

The State’s main railway passed through the park until its closure in 1966. Now it is a Heritage Trail where you can see famous Swan View Tunnel. It is a 2.2km from the picnic area.

The park has a number of hiking trails, ranging from easy 300m Promenade loop around a small nature based playground to 16km loop trail.

There are two natural waterfalls within the park, bbq and picnic facilities.

The park is rich in flora and has about 490 species of plants. Late winter and spring are particularly good times to view spectacular display of wildflowers.

We enjoyed our visit to John Forrest National Park. It is a great place to visit over the weekend to learn about history, hike, relax and admire the views.

Looking for more places to visit with wildflowers or waterfalls around Perth? Check out our blogs.