John Forrest National Park is one of Australia's oldest conservation areas and Western Australia's first national park. Located in the Darling Ranges about half an hour's drive from Perth, the park offers excellent bush walking, mountain biking, scenic drives and rock pools ideal for swimming. Western Australia's colonial pioneers recognised the park's environmental value, declaring it a reserve in 1898. Go walking along one of the trails through rugged wilderness, or along a disused railway line to quiet pools and spectacular waterfalls. You'll also be rewarded with magnificent views over the city and metropolitan area. Popular Rocky Pool picnic area is set among attractive wandoo and paperbark woodland. Here, after winter rains, you can sit and watch the waters of Jane Brook tumble down a series of small rapids into the pool. There's plenty of wildlife to observe including many native birds, possums and bandicoots. In spring time, wildflowers colour the landscape. There are great picnic facilities, extensive walk trails, and limited camping facilities. Tearooms and a tavern are open regularly. The park covers more than 1,500 hectares of land and is best accessed from Great Eastern Highway.
