The Perth Hills Armadale and surrounding region has heaps of adventures waiting for you and your dog, no matter your interests, fitness levels and time available.
Check out some of our suggestions or pop into the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre at 40 Jull Street for maps, flyers and personalised recommendations for you and your pooch!
Dogs are welcome in Minnawarra Park
What are our options?
Dogs are allowed off leash at Sienna Wood Dog Park and John Dunn Memorial Park. Most of Armadale’s parks allow dogs on leash including Forrestdale Lake, Champion Lakes Recreational Park and Rushton Park.
Many cafes also offer outdoor tables where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch with your friend and plan the rest of your day together. The Pink Deli is not only dog friendly, but also have a section where you can buy them a treat! Or what about joining a Mums and Pups group to meet up with like-minded owners at Mooba Shipwreck Park? They meet from 10-11am on Fridays with every dog receiving a free puppycino!
John Dunn Park
For Adventurous Dogs (and Owners)
Start your day early with breakfast (from 7am) at Avocados Café. With a range of options from pancakes to a full breaky, you’re bound to find something to fuel you up for the day’s adventures,
From Avocados take a scenic drive to Canning Mills Road and enter Banyowla Regional Park. Take plenty of water for you and your furry friend as you tackle the Contour Channel Walk taking in the magnificent views of Perth from the Hills.
If you’re after a longer walk why not check out the Wungong Gorge Trail, a 5.5km (one way) trip taking in old homesteads, quarries and orchards of the area. Please note that animals are not allowed in the vicinity of the dams.
Avocados Cafe
For Foodies and Family Fun Seekers
Begin with a coffee and a sweet treat or try a specialty latte at The Organic Circle. Enjoy the ambience of a time gone by with pioneer style buildings and garden beds full of roses.
The Organic Circle in Pioneer Village
Image credit - Instagram @cooperskingdom
Grab a coffee from Graded Coffee and Bites and ramble through beautiful Raeburn Orchards, let your dog enjoy trying to sniff every tree on the property! The fruit trees are especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change to a sea of fiery oranges and reds, and in spring when the blossoms are in full bloom.
Hit up the Settlers Common geocache trails. Settlers Common, located in Armadale just off the Albany Highway, has a series of caches within easy distance from the paths. A hide and seek treasure hunt that ties into the digital age, this adventure has something for every member of the family (including lots of interesting trees for man’s best friend). In spring the trails colourfully transform thanks to the growth of wildflowers.
Last stop of the day is John Dunn Memorial Park’s off-leash dog exercise area, with three fully fenced enclosures for small, medium and large dogs. Let your dog make some new friends or try out the agility and exercise equipment.
For Nature Lovers
Tackle the Ellis Brook Valley. The popular 60 Foot Falls trail is located in Martin and is a biodiversity hotspot. Although the views are stunning all through the year, the trail is at its best in winter when the waterfall is flowing and Barrington Quarry is full of water, as well as in spring when the wildflowers and wildlife are out. The walk takes in a number of viewing platforms allowing you and your furry friend to rest between stages.
Bungendore Park
Take a walk towards the Albany Highway underpass and enter Bungendore Park to explore the many trails of the park and observe the seasonal wildflowers (identification brochure available from the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre). The area also boasts plenty of bird biodiversity so keep your eyes peeled for the iconic black cockatoos and blue wrens and keep the camera handy.
For History Buffs
Follow in the footsteps of Western Australia’s most infamous Bushranger, Moondyne Joe. The Canning River Interpretive Trail winds alongside the Canning River towards Roley Pool Reserve, a local favourite for decades. Moondyne is rumoured to have camped out in the region in a cave while on the run from authorities. Keep an eye out for large granite boulders and rock faces; see if you can spot his historic hideout!
From Roleystone, head down the hill to Bedfordale to visit the Last Drop Elizabethan, an old English style pub in the Perth Hills with a paw-friendly village green for well-behaved pups! It’s also the oldest boutique brewery in Western Australia, established in 1992 and boasts award winning offerings including Czech Pilsner and cider. The restaurant also serves all of your favourite pub grub making it a perfect end to a hard days exploring.
Dog friendly village green at the Last Drop Elizabethan - image credit @Last Drop Elizabethan
For Culture Lovers
Rediscover Armadale’s street art with a walk through Armadale’s CBD. The trail features murals from local and international artists, covering a wide range of topics like Noongar connection to the land. The trail also takes you past several sculptures that reflect Armadale’s historic and cultural story. Although dogs are not permitted within Memorial Park, the rest of the murals make a relaxing walk through the town centre.
Head to the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre at 40 Jull Street to pick up a ReDiscover Armadale map or download a copy here.
Early Settler Sculpture on the ReDiscover Armadale Arts Trail
Fuel up with a hearty meal at Naked Apple Cider in Karragullen. The 6.3 hectares of grounds are filled with art, sculpture and hidden nooks, making this gem a must visitor for anyone with an eye for beauty. The Cider House prides itself on being the taste of the Perth Hills with colourful local produce used to create a seasonal menu sure to please even the toughest of tastebuds! Ask the friendly staff about pairing your dish with the perfect local cider.
Seasonal events
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Armadale Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run
Celebrate all things Scottish, including the dogs! The day starts early with the Perth Kilt Run. Run or watch the 2.5km Fun Run or the 5km Warrior leg. Registration and entry fees are required for the kilt run but the Scottish celebrations, markets and entertainment are free for all. Scottish dogs are also on display, from West Highland Terriers to Scottish Deerhounds so why not make some new friends?
Archie the Scottie Dog -
Bedfordale Bush Markets
A local favourite, these markets are held on the 4th Saturday of each month and feature all sorts of local artists and growers. Each market has its own theme, so check the Bedfordale Bush Market’s Facebook page to stay in the loop. Doggy favourites Kyal’s Doggy Delights are sure to tempt your four legged friend, or what about a newly engraved dog tag by market regulars, Engraving Gifts?
