John Forrest National Park, WA

John Forrest National Park, WA

Set in the Darling Range and Scarp, John Forrest National Park is 24 km east of Perth and only a 30 minutes drive from city center. The park lies to the north of the Great Eastern Highway and is well signposted. There are three entrances off the highway. John Forrest National Park is one of Australia's oldest conservation areas and Western Australia's first national park proclaimed in 1900. The visitor area contains barbecue and picnic facilities and cultivated gardens of native plants. The rest of the park is largely undeveloped and is home to a variety of plant communities and wildlife. The park is home to two waterfalls that flow in winter and spring – Hovea and National Park Falls. John Forrest National Park is set in jarrah forest still largely in its natural state. The uplands are dominated by jarrah and marri. The valley floor features flooded gum, swamp peppermint and paperbarks.

Mundaring Weir, WA

Mundaring Weir, WA

Mundaring Weir is a dam located 40 km east of Perth in the Darling Scarp. It is about 40 minutes drive from Perth. Located in natural bushland in the Perth Hills, Mundaring Weir is one of the world's greatest engineering projects. It is also an important part of Western Australia's heritage. Completed in 1903, the Weir was the start of the water pipeline that pumped water to the Kalgoorlie goldfields, some 700 km away. At the foot of the weir is the Number 1 Pump Station Museum where you can learn more about the story behind the project. There are several walking trails around Mundaring Weir that take you deep into virgin bush. You'll see beautiful native plants, animals and plenty of birds. You can also walk across the old massive concrete Weir wall.