The Serpentine Falls National Park Perth; What you need to know!
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There are a lot of wonderful places that you can see when visiting the Serpentine National Park and it’s surrounded by epic natural beauty. Aside from the breathtaking Serpentine Falls, it is also near the Serpentine Dam, which is one of the most visited places around the park. The award-winning Millbrook Winery is something that visitors should not miss. Here, you will be experiencing the most awesome foods.
Serpentine Falls is one of the main attractions in the Serpentine National Park. This is one of the most important reasons why the park is established. It lies at the base of the Darling Scarp just within a chiselled valley. The falls is located on the western edge of the Park and has been enticing a lot of visitors for many years now. And once you see the spectacular landscapes nearby, you will realize why.
The park is one of the most well-known day trip destinations since it is very near to Perth City. It is located 55 kilometres southeast of Perth. It was named Serpentine because the flow of the water is similar to the shape of a snake. It was in 1957 when Serpentine was declared as a national park.
How to get to the Falls in Perth
This Google map below shows you where the falls are, the National Park and also how to get to the Serpentine Falls Holiday Park.
Here is the map;
When Should You Visit Serpentine Falls?
When deciding when to visit Serpentine Falls, you need to consider what you want to see. For instance, if you want to witness the wildflowers in bloom, then be sure to schedule your trip during the spring. However, if you are interested in watching the Falls at its peak, then you should go there during the winter.
If you are planning to visit the park during summer, then be sure to come early since the parking area will be busy during this time. The gates will be closed by the rangers, once it gets full. The gates will be opened daily at 8.30am and closed at 5.00pm. The admission fee is $12 per vehicle.
The good news is you can bring some food and drinks with you when going to Serpentine Falls. At the same time, they also have picnic and BBQ areas which are intended for the visitors.
The top things to do at Serpentine Falls Perth
Serpentine is enveloped by valleys, cliffs, and granite boulders which are a result of eroding. It is composed of a string of waterfalls located just above the Serpentine River. During the early days, when Perth was first created, the European settlers would enjoy having their picnic in the shaded area. And since then not much has been altered. While visiting the falls, visitors can enjoy using their great amenities. There are wonderful walking trails to explore. You can also have a picnic with your family and friends at the picnic area complete with picnic tables, barbeques, and restrooms.
Enjoy the swimming there
The water from the Serpentine Falls would fall at a height of 15 metres. Most visitors who come here would go swimming. Although swimming is permitted yet you have to do it at your own risk. Keep in mind that jumping from the falls and climbing on the falls is strictly not allowed because it is very dangerous.
Serpentine Falls is a popular destination during those hot summer days when people would love to go swimming. Aside from swimming on a warm day, it is also great for picnic and hiking in the bush where you get to see the wildlife including kangaroos.
Embark on one of the walking trails
There are a lot of activities that you can do in the Serpentine Falls National Park and one of them is hiking. Fortunately, there are a lot of walking trails that hikers can choose from. However, the two most popular ones are Kitty’s Gorge Trail and Baldwin’s Bluff. If you are the type of hiker who is looking for a moderate challenge, then you should go for Kitty’s Gorge Trail. It is a 14km return walk where you can get to see the stunning spring wildflowers.
The Kitty’s Gorge Trail is a long-distance trail and you will be experiencing some rough terrains. This is more appropriate for those who are more experienced. But for others, this is just an easy walk. This trail will take you to some remote areas which are not frequently visited.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more difficult challenge, then Baldwin’s Bluff is the perfect choice for you. It is a 6km return walk where you get to enjoy the extensive view of the area right from the top.
If you want to go for a shorter walk, then you can choose the 200m walking trail. It will take you to the Serpentine River as well as the Serpentine falls. If you are planning to walk on any of these walking trails, then be sure to wear the appropriate clothing and footwear. It is also important to bring sufficient water with you most especially during those hot summer months.
If you are planning to walk to the falls, then you should do it in late autumn to mid-spring. During this time the weather is cooler.
Go for food at the café
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, then the perfect place to go to is Cafe on the Dam in Serpentine. Here, you will be dining at the top of the dam while enjoying magnificent views. There is plenty of seating that is available, you can either stay indoors or outdoors. The café has an amazing menu, whether you want to be served with coffee, cake, or a glass of wine, they have it all. They also offer a seasonal menu which consists of tasty and fresh meals.
Sleepover at the Serpentine Falls camping Park
There is a range of accommodation that is offered at the Serpentine Falls Park Home and Tourist Village. They offer different types of cabins such as deluxe cabins, super deluxe cabins, ensuite cabins, and standard cabins. If you are planning to stay longer, then you can stay in their holiday homes.
It is just a 2km walk from the Falls. Here, you will be breathing fresh air while enjoying the beautiful scenery around you. Daily price starts at $40.00 while the weekly price is $225.00. Take note that this is only good for four persons. An additional person will cost you $10.00 per day.
Keep in mind that this place is dog-friendly. So, if you are bringing your pet, then they can stay with you in the caravan area. If you are getting tired of exploring the area, then you can relax and stay here for one night.
Check out my 1-man tent post.
Take photos of the wildlife Serpentine Falls
Aside from being famous for its breathtaking waterfalls, the Serpentine Falls National Park is also popular for its distinct flora and fauna. This is the place where you can witness colourful wildflowers bloom during the spring. You can also stare at other flowers such as dryandras, grevilleas greenhoods, spider orchids, grevilleas, giant sundew, spider orchids and trigger plants.
There are also native Australian trees that envelop the falls including marri, jarrah, and wandoo. But the most spectacular of them all is the Darling Range Ghost Gum and the Salmon White Gum trees which are not very common these days.
SP Falls is also a home to different animal varieties including native birds such as black cockatoos, parrots, yellow robins, and lots of kangaroos.
Final Thoughts
Check out this awesome YouTube video, credit to the guys for filming;
Well, there we have it, your full guide to visiting Serpentine Falls in Australia!
I hope you have an awesome time and make sure you take plenty of photos on your visit.
If you’re a local you might not be interested in my other posts (but you might be), however, if you’re travelling Australia, here are some of my other posts that you may find useful;
I was planning to go out there! thanks for sharing this informative article. Keep it up!
Thank you!