Exploring Lesmurdie Falls and its surroundings: An in-depth overview 2023.

Lesmurdie Falls, Perth’s best waterfall, has numerous walking trails for all fitness levels.

Being a resident of Perth that takes great pride in my city, I have been fortunate enough to explore both Lesmurdie Falls and the various hiking trails found within the Lesmurdie Falls National Park throughout different seasons.

In this article, I invite you to join me on a journey through the trails of Lesmurdie Falls, as we explore its history, the flora and fauna that call it home, and the awe-inspiring views that make it a must-visit destination for anyone in– or visiting– Perth.

Mundy Regional Park in the Perth Hills is home to the stunning Lesmurdie Falls.

I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Beeloo people, the Traditional Owners, and the first people of these lands. I would like to pay my respect to the Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of the Beeloo people.

The base of a majestic waterfall, where the water tumbles down the rocky terrain, is a sight to behold. The area surrounding the falls is known as Lesmurdie Foot of the Falls, and it is accessible via two primary parking areas. The first parking lot, located at the end of Palm Terrace, is modest in size, and vehicles often line the roadside. In contrast, the Lower Lesmurdie Falls car park offers a couple of picnic tables for visitors to enjoy, although it does not have any restrooms.

The larger car park is on Falls Road with shaded picnic tables and toilets, which are fully accessible.

There is a trail sign indicating the distance of the walk on a dirt path with lush grass on both sides. The signs originate from the Palm Terrace Car Park.

The optimal time to experience the beauty of Lesmurdie Falls is during the early stages of spring. Following the winter rainfall, the waterfall is likely to be in full flow, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Additionally, the surrounding area will be adorned with vibrant wildflowers, adding a splash of color to the landscape.

The peak season for visiting the falls is spring, which means the areas for walking, picnicking, and hiking will be bustling with people. However, if you can swing a visit during the week instead of on weekends, you’ll likely encounter fewer crowds.

a dirt trail with green grass either side
Start of the Falls Trail from Palm Terrace Car Park
Lesmurdie Falls Walk Trails
The Falls Trail 640m return, Class 2, allow 45 min.
From the trail head at Falls Rd car park, it’s an easy short return walk to Lesmurdie Falls. The trail follows Lesmurdie Brook with lookouts along the way. The views are lovely across the foothills to the city of Perth and the coastal plain.

view of bushland and a citys skyscrapers in the distance
View of Perth from Lesmurdie Falls
The Shoulder Trail 1.5 km return, Class 3, allow 1hr.
The Shoulder Trail takes you across the footbridge and an easy climb on pavers. Near the junction with the Valley Loop Trail, the trail becomes uneven.

The trail to the base of the waterfall is a 2-kilometer round-trip journey, categorized as Class 3, and is estimated to take approximately one hour to complete. The path begins from either parking area and follows the brook to the base of the falls, offering stunning views from the lookout points along the way.

a brook with red soil either side and green trees overhanging
Lesmurdie Brook
Lesmurdie Brook Loop 1.5 km return, Class 2, allow 1hr.
Lesmurdie Brook Loop doesn’t take in the falls but follows Lesmurdie Brook upstream, passing beautiful bridges.

Valley Loop. 3km return Class 3, allow 2hrs.
The Valley Loop is our favourite trail in Lesmurdie Falls National Park as it incorporates all the walking tracks. You get to see the falls from the bottom and the top plus the lookouts and The Shoulder.

We started at the Palm Terrace car park and followed the brook upstream. The dirt path runs along Lesmurdie Brook and through forest. The wildflowers were out, so the walk took quite a bit longer than anticipated

The falls aren’t seen until the last moment when you turn a corner. To get good photos, it does require a bit of rock scrambling. It was packed with people trying to take selfies and children climbing all over the rocks, but I managed to find a quiet spot to take some photos. I wasn’t carrying a tripod with me, so I had to rely on balancing my camera on my legs.

The majestic Lesmurdie Falls plunged dramatically onto the dark rocks below, creating a breathtaking sight. After capturing its beauty through our cameras and taking a moment to appreciate its grandeur, we continued our hike along the main trail, following the path that led us through the lush surroundings.

a dirt track with rocks along the trail
The “goat path” to the main walking trail
The trail is well maintained and has steps leading up to the lookouts.

a dirt path with steps alongside bush
Steps leading down from the lookout

There are two viewing platforms to see the falls from. The first one has stunning views of the side of the falls and across the Swan Coastal Plain to Perth. This lookout is a great place to be at sunset.

people at a lookout overlooking waterfall rushing down rocks
Lesmurdie Falls from lookout in July
The Head of the Falls lookout overlooks the spectacular waterfall with Lesmurdie brook tumbling over the Darling Range Escarpment.

Afterward, we proceeded to ascend towards the Cascades, a scenic location where the stream tumbles down the boulders.

water cascading over rocks with the sun shining on the water at lesmurdie falls
The Cascades
Crossing the bridge, we then headed to the Shoulder and back down to where we started.

a wooden bridge crossing a stream
Cross the bridge towards The Shoulder

The path on this particular side was not as impressive but still passable. Nevertheless, it lacked clear signage, and we were uncertain if we were following the correct path Nonetheless, we successfully descended to the base of Lesmurdie Creek, where we had to return to the parking area.

Along a crimson dirt trail, traversing a rugged rocky route, adventurers will discover the breathtaking beauty of Lesmurdie Falls. Join a guided sunset excursion, led by Off the Beaten Track, where hikers of all skill levels are welcome. Immerse yourself in nature as you hike for approximately two hours, basking in the warm glow of the setting sun.

The 4 km guided trek culminates in a breathtaking sunset vista over the Swan Coastal Plain, followed by a refreshing glass of bubbly and a delectable cheese platter to savor as the day comes to a close.

Experience the Natural Beauty of Lesmurdie Falls

Plan your visit to Lesmurdie Falls with our helpful tips! Be mindful of slippery rocks when wet, keep a close eye on children, and don’t forget to pack plenty of water and sun protection. Enjoy a picnic or visit a nearby café in Kalamunda. For those looking to explore the Valley Loop trail, we recommend bringing a phone with GPS to help navigate. Take in the breathtaking views of Lesmurdie Falls and Perth City in the background. If you’re looking to catch the sunset or start your day early, consider staying in nearby accommodations.

Discovery Parks– Perth Airport is only a 5-minute drive to Palm Terrace car park. There is a range of cabins available, and the park is family-friendly. We are looking to book a night here to see the falls at sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lesmurdie Falls:

Is it allowed to bring my dog to Lesmurdie Falls?
Indeed, you are permitted to bring your dog to Lesmurdie Falls, but it is important to ensure that they are always kept on a leash.

Unfortunately, Lesmurdie Falls is not a suitable spot for swimming.

How long is the Lesmurdie Falls Walk?
There are various lengths of Lesmurdie Falls walks ranging from 640 m to 3 km.

Other Perth Waterfalls
Perth waterfalls may not be up there with New Zealand or Queensland, but there are still some beautiful falls and spectacular hikes. Some other waterfalls around Perth are:

Bells Rapids
Waterfall of 60 feet
Serpentine Falls
Noble Falls