Issue July 2018

Winter Waterfalls Trails

Our Four must-see waterfalls

You don’t need to head to Bali or the Kimberley to find spectacular waterfalls – we have four beauties right here in the Perth Hills. Discover them all in a day or visit one at a time to explore their surroundings and hit the walking trails.

1. Serpentine Falls, Serpentine National Park
   Take a short walk to the foot of the falls and watch the water cascade over the sheer granite rock face. Plenty of walking trails can be found throughout the park so grab your hiking boots and explore the gorge and ancient rock formations. For the adventurers, we recommend hiking 16km along Kitty’s Gorge, you’ll find Serpentine National Park is home to more than just one waterfall!
   Fees: $13 per car
   Falls Road, Serpentine
    
2. 60 Foot Falls, Ellis Brook Valley
   It’s a short but steep 2km walk to the top of Sixty Foot Falls but you’ll be rewarded by magnificent views of the City and valley below once you make it. The Ellis Brook Valley is also home to 500 species of wildflowers and prolific birdlife, so take your binoculars if you’re an avid birdwatcher.
   Rushton Road, Martin
    
3. Lesmurdie Falls, Mundy Regional Park
   Lesmurdie falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Darling Range. Start your trail at the top of falls with a short walk to the viewing platform. Gain a different perspective with a walk down to the foot of the falls; if you’re quiet you may even spot a quenda!
   Falls Road, Lesmurdie
    
4. Hovea Falls, John Forrest National Park
   Visit WA’s first National Park and follow the Eagle View Trail to Hovea Falls, a low lying waterfall tumbling over a colourful, smooth granite rock face and playful boulders.
   Fees: $13 per car
   Park Road, Hovea

Need a tour guide? Check out Down Under Discoveries Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Wildlife 1 day Experience for a fully commentated day tour visiting all Four of the falls and including park fees, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. $125 per adult, $100 per child (4-14yrs).

Image: Lesmurdie Falls in Mundy Regional Park

#ReDiscover Armadale and Win an iPad

To celebrate arts and culture in the Perth Hills Armadale we’re giving away 2 iPads plus spot prizes when you share your #CultureLover experience on social media.

Snap a shot of your arts or culture experience in the Perth Hills Armadale region and upload it to Facebook or Instagram for your chance to win. Be sure to use the hashtags #PerthHillsArmadale and #CultureLover as well as tagging us @PerthHillsArmadale to qualify. The competition begins 27 June at 9am and ends 31 August at 4pm. Two monthly winners will receive a major prize of an iPad and six spot prizes will be awarded randomly throughout the competition. Spot prizes include; a 2x $100 voucher for the ARC – Artist Retail Collective, 1x $100 voucher for the Armadale Society of Artists Art House and Gallery and 3x $45 vouchers for entry and a Koala Cuddle at Cohunu Koala Park.

Need inspiration? Check out these ideas to get you started!

1. Take a selfie with your favourite mural on the #ReDiscoverArmadale urban art trail – download your walking map or pop into the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre to pick up a copy.
    
2. Head to a local market and capture photos of some of the wares on offer;
   • 28 July – Bedfordale Bush Market
   • First Saturday of every month – Creative Community Market
      
3. Take a class at the ARC – Artist Retail Collective and share pics of your creations 

Celebrate indigenous culture at NAIDOC Day in Memorial Park, 10 July.

Image: #CultureLover Win an iPad competition

Spring into Armadale Fashion Show

Need a little fashion inspiration or thinking of getting married?

This may be just what you’re looking for! Join local media personality Carmen Braidwood as the MC and ambassador for the City’s fourth Spring into Armadale Fashion Show, Love is in the Air Wedding and Bridal Expo. Set in the stunning surrounds of Araluen Botanic Park on Saturday 11 August, the event will showcase two dynamic design masters in the Western Australian fashion industry; Alvin Fernandez of Aelkemi and Samantha Wynne of Samantha Wynne Boutique. Australia’s oldest pearling business Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm will adorn models with their stunning creations.

Be entertained by the romantic melodies of the string quarter as you peruse the vendors showcasing their wares alongside beautiful floral delights by Michelle Mok Creations.

Tickets currently on sale for $50 per person, buy them online or by calling the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre on 9394 5410, or visiting us in person at 40 Jull Street, Armadale.

Image: Spring into Armadale Fashion Show Saturday 11 August with Carmen Braidwood

Spring into Armadale is coming – Save the Date!

Our favourite time of year is almost here and we can’t wait to share the region’s exciting events with you! We love springtime so much that we start celebrating a month early. Our Spring into Armadale event program begins 1 August and ends 30 November, featuring a medley of events celebrating the diversity of the City’s art and culture scene, rich wildflower and nature trails, history and heritage, and gastronomic delights.

The full program will be released 1 August, but in the meantime make sure to save the date for some of our highlight events below!

• It’s Yates Springtime at Araluen - 18 August – 24 September
  The tulip bulbs have been planted and it won’t be long until they are bursting into bloom, creating a beautiful tapestry of colours throughout the Park.
   
• Armadale Hills Open Studio Art Trail – 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 September
  Delve into the private home studios of our talented local artists; discover an array of paintings, textiles, couture, ceramics, woodwork and so much more.
   
• Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run – 9 September
  Embrace your inner Scotsman and immerse yourself in Scottish culture at Minnawarra Park. Kit yourself out in your best tartan kilt and take part in this fun run to remember.
   
• Millbrook Winery Spring Lunch – 29 September
  Gather your foodie friends for a long table lunch prepared by Millbrook’s award winning chef and gardener; Guy Jeffrey’s. Millbrook’s lunches always book out far in advance, so be sure to join their mailing list to be the first to know about tickets.

Image: Blooming tulips at ‘It’s Yates Springtime’ at Araluen Botanic Park

Getaways and Winter Warmers

Winter is the perfect season to escape for a weekend in the Perth Hills Armadale. Explore National Parks and walking trails, cosy up for meals by an open wood fire and find the time to reconnect with family.

Read on for great deals to take advantage of these school holidays.

• Camp or glamp at Serpentine Falls Park Home and Tourist Village
  Discover all the Serpentine Valley has to offer, waterfalls, wineries, markets and quirky shops, all while staying in the comfort of a cosy cabin or powered campsite.

  Deluxe Cabin – 2 nights for $260
  Super Deluxe Cabin - $280 for 2 nights
  Powered Campsite - $75 for 2 nights or $180 per week

  Prices based off two people. Call 08 6166 9561 to book.

• Sunday Roast at the Last Drop Elizabethan
  Nothing says winter like enjoying a family roast dinner around an open fire. Head up the hill to Bedfordale for a $20 roast dinner in a classic Tudor style pub. If you’re a craft beer fan, be sure to try a pint of their traditional German style brew, made on site. Call 9399 4531 to book.
   
• Kids eat free Wednesdays at Paddy’s Bush Bar and Grill
  Take the family out for a meal and enjoy classic country hospitality at Paddy’s in Karragullen. Kids eat free every Wednesday* and can enjoy free face painting to boot! Call 9397 5964 to book.

  *Per accompanying adult meal

Image: Super Deluxe Cabin at Serpentine Falls Park Home and Tourist Village

4Kids Craft at the ARC – Artist Retails Collective Armadale

Have you got a young artist on your hands? Kids itching to pick up a paint brush? The ARC have just what you need, a weekly art workshop for primary school kids.

The ‘Little Leo’s Art Club’ runs weekly on Tuesdays between 3.45-5pm and provides a creative, safe and nurturing environment for students to explore, learn, and nurture a love of the arts through working with two and three dimensional materials. Class teacher ‘Mrs Fez’ is well known in the community and has taught at Primary, Secondary, and TAFE levels, creating exciting art programs to cultivate and inspire.

All materials included.

Bookings are essential by calling the ARC on 0411 548 964.

Prices:
$20 per week, or $35 for a pair of siblings.
Term 3/4 (8 weeks) $150 per term, discount available for siblings – inquire direct

Image: Little Leo’s Art Club for kids with the Artist Retail Collective Armadale

Winter Night Stargazing

Did you know that winter is the best season for viewing the southern night sky? Don your cosiest winter woollies and rug up for an evening of stargazing in the Perth Hills with one of these experiences in July.

1. Perth Observatory –  7, 13, 14, 21 and 22 July
   You’ll find the Perth Observatory tucked away in the Bickley Valley, the observatory’s galactic superstars have discovered 29 minor planets between 1970 and 1999 and have served WA for over 120 years. Star gazing experts are braving the winter chill to show you planets and the galactic centre passing overhead, revealing hidden treasures not visible in summer. In the event of cloudy or rainy nights you’ll be provided with an amazing guided tour of the observatory. Bookings essential by visiting the website or call 9293 8255.

   Adult $30
   Concession $25
   Child $20

2. Sunset and Stargazing Hike with Off the Beaten Track WA – 7 July
   Experience the magic of watching the sunset and the Milky Way unfold from Sullivans Rock at Mt Cooke. Off the Beaten Track will guide you on a hike through lush Jarrah and Banksia Forest before watching the sunset from giant granite slopes. After sunset you’ll witness the forest transform from twilight to darkness to experience stargazing atop Sullivan’s Rock. Devour a delicious gourmet spread of nibbles while listening to astronomer Rob Hunt as he takes you on a journey through the night sky. Find out further details and book online.

   Adult $45
   Child $45

3. New Moon Stargazing Night Hike with Down Under Discoveries and Perth Observatory – 14 July
   Discover the enchanting beauty of the Bibbulmun Track on a 3km night hike as you immerse yourself in nature under the light of the full moon. Hiking at night is a completely different world to hiking during the day, our senses become heightened, eyes are forced to adjust to the darkness and our ears search out sounds in silence. Find beauty in the darkness and listen out for the sounds of the bush coming alive as nocturnal creatures wake up to start their day. Enjoy a bush tucker style dessert with slices, biscuits, bliss balls, and herbal tea  before exploring the night sky on a one hour tour with Perth Observatory. Find out further details and book online.

   Adult $45
   Child $35
   Family (2A and 2C) $140