Skip to main content
Western Australian State Government Logo
Parks and Wildlife Service logo
Explore Parks logo
English Dutch French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Explore WA's parks

    All parks

    Park Finder Map

    Attractions and places to visit

    Trails

    Regions of WA

    • Australia's South West
    • Australia's Coral Coast
    • Australia's North West
    • Australia's Golden Outback
    • Destination Perth
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Know before you go

    Know before you go

    Get the practical ‘know how’ to adventure into Western Australia’s national parks confidently, responsibly and safely.

    Safety

    Natural area hazards

    Plan your activity

    Be prepared

    Travelling in remote locations

    Bushfires and prescribed burns

    Bushwalking safety

    Camping safety

    Mountain biking safety

    Swimming safety

    Adventure safety

    Beaches and coastal areas

    Rivers, lakes and lagoons

    Fishing, boating, paddling, snorkelling and diving

    Access friendly places

    Access to nature north of Perth

    Access to nature south of Perth

    Access to trails

    Caring for our parks

    Marine conservation

    Fees

    Park entry fees

    Park passes

    Camping fees

    Attraction fees

    Other fees

    Concessions

    Fee waivers

    Camping

    Where and when to camp

    Campground facilities

    Campfires, firewood and cooking appliances

    Powered campsites and generators

    Group camping

    Online campsite booking terms and conditions

    Current campfire conditions

    Campgrounds availability for non-bookable campgrounds

    When to go

    Adventure activities

    Drones in parks

    Tours and accommodation

    Conducting an event in a park

    Pets in parks

    Getting around

    Park visitor guides, maps and itineraries

    Park visitor guides

    Aboriginal cultural heritage in parks

  • Get inspired
  • Where to stay
  • Park alerts
  1. Home
  2. Destination Perth
  3. Perth
  4. John Forrest National Park

John Forrest National Park

We recognise and acknowledge Whadjuk people as the traditional owners of John Forrest National Park.

Not just a one trick pony, John Forrest National Park is a hidden gem in the Perth Hills. 

No dogs

Park entry fee

John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Select page section

  • Need to know
  • Location
  • About this park
  • Activities
  • Attractions
  • Trails
  • Campgrounds

About this park

Close to Perth, scenic views, walk and bicycle trails, historic buildings, lots of wildlife – all you need to do is pack a picnic! 

A quick 30-minute drive from Perth and you will arrive in Western Australia’s first and oldest national park.   

You will find an abundance of beautiful spots to have a picnic or use one of the barbecues. There are two waterfalls that flow in Winter and Spring which is also the best time of year to see the stunning wildflowers. 

There are many walk trails that lead you through jarrah, marri, flooded gums, swamp peppermint and paperbark trees and the spooky Swan View Tunnel. You might even see some of the native wildlife such as the western grey kangaroos lazing in the park. 

Bring your bicycle to explore one of the trails or visit the lookouts and capture that perfect pic for Instagram of the views of Perth and the Swan Coastal Plain. 

Safety information

Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about bushwalking and horse riding. Consider traveling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life! 

The park has many waterfalls and risk areas. Extreme caution must be undertaken to avoid slippage and falling in such areas.   

Gallery

Image
group of hikers walking on a gravel trail path in a green native forest
John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Image
trail head sign and walking trail leading into a forest of native vegetation
John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Image
two cyclists using wrought iron footbridge in a native forest landscape
John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Image
three people cycling on a man made gravel track in a green forest
John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Image
water flowing over large rocks in a native forest with a cyclist in the far distance
John Forrest National Park
Kevin Smith

Image
entrance to a man made railroad tunnel dated 1895 cut into granite rock wall
Swan View Tunnel
Kevin Smith

Image
3 grasstrees in John Forrest National Park
John Forrest National Park
Bronwyn Wells

Image
Featherflowers in bloom in November at John Forrest National Park
John Forrest National Park
Bronwyn Wells

Featherflowers in bloom in November

Image
water falls in john forrest national park
John Forrest National Park
DBCA

John Forrest National Park Improvement Project

To ensure visitors can continue to experience and enjoy the park, some improvements will be made which will revitalise and diversify the activities available to visitors.  

The improvements will make the park more accessible to a broader range of visitors and allow more people to enjoy the natural beauty. Read more about the John Forrest National Park Improvement Project.

Activities

Bushwalking

Cycling

Horse riding

Mountain biking

Picnicking

Plants, wildlife and fungi

Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in John Forrest National Park.

Traditional Owners

We recognise and acknowledge Whadjuk people as the traditional owners of John Forrest National Park. 

Nyoongar people are known to have lived in the Midland to Guildford area before European settlement. There is anecdotal evidence that the area was once used as a hunting place and Jane Brook Valley was an ancient travel route that Nyoongar people used to cross the Darling Scarp to the more open country in the east. Jane Brook is also of cultural significance, with a connection to the Dreamtime serpent, the Waugal. The rocks in and along the brook are said to be the droppings of this mythical creature. 
 

Need to know

No dogs

No dogs (or other pets) allowed in this park

Opening hours

There are three entrances to the park off Great Eastern Highway. The gate at the western end of Park Road scenic drive is locked at 4pm daily.

Park entry fees apply

Standard park entry fees apply for John Forrest National Park.
Standard Concession
Standard vehicle (12 or fewer occupants) $15.00 per vehicle $8.00 per vehicle
Large vehicle (more than 12 occupants) $7.00 per person $2.50 per person
Motorcycle $8.00 No concession

A valid park pass covers the park entry fees. Read more.

Buy Park Pass

Parking

There are two wide marked accessible parking bays located in the car park opposite the Ranger's Office. The bitumen surface is level with the surrounding pathway in front.

Park office / Contact

Mundaring Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9290 6100
mundaring@dbca.wa.gov.au

Location

Destination Perth
Perth
Perth Hills

Getting there

John Forrest National Park is a 30-minute drive from Perth being only 24km east of the city. There are three entrances to the park off Great Eastern Highway. The gate at the western end of Park Road scenic drive is locked overnight.

The park is also accessible on foot or by mountain bike via the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail.

Trails

Glen Brook Trail, John Forrest NP

Glen Brook Trail

2.2km
View this trail
Eagle View Walk, John Forrest NP

Eagle View Walk

15km
View this trail
Christmas Tree Creek Walk Trail, John Forrest NP

Christmas Tree Creek Walk Trail

10.5km
View this trail
Wildflower Walk Trail, John Forrest NP

Wildflower Walk Trail

4.5km
View this trail

Campgrounds

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

Connect with us

Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions logo
Parks and Wildlife Service logo
Explore Parks logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Explore WA's parks

    All parks

    Park Finder Map

    Attractions and places to visit

    Trails

    Regions of WA

    • Australia's South West
    • Australia's Coral Coast
    • Australia's North West
    • Australia's Golden Outback
    • Destination Perth
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Know before you go

    Know before you go

    Get the practical ‘know how’ to adventure into Western Australia’s national parks confidently, responsibly and safely.

    Safety

    Natural area hazards

    Plan your activity

    Be prepared

    Travelling in remote locations

    Bushfires and prescribed burns

    Bushwalking safety

    Camping safety

    Mountain biking safety

    Swimming safety

    Adventure safety

    Beaches and coastal areas

    Rivers, lakes and lagoons

    Fishing, boating, paddling, snorkelling and diving

    Access friendly places

    Access to nature north of Perth

    Access to nature south of Perth

    Access to trails

    Caring for our parks

    Marine conservation

    Fees

    Park entry fees

    Park passes

    Camping fees

    Attraction fees

    Other fees

    Concessions

    Fee waivers

    Camping

    Where and when to camp

    Campground facilities

    Campfires, firewood and cooking appliances

    Powered campsites and generators

    Group camping

    Online campsite booking terms and conditions

    Current campfire conditions

    Campgrounds availability for non-bookable campgrounds

    When to go

    Adventure activities

    Drones in parks

    Tours and accommodation

    Conducting an event in a park

    Pets in parks

    Getting around

    Park visitor guides, maps and itineraries

    Park visitor guides

    Aboriginal cultural heritage in parks

  • Get inspired
  • Where to stay
  • Park alerts

Footer

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Copyright
  • Parks and Wildlife Service
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2022 Government of Western Australia. All rights reserved.

Back to top