An Autumn Day in the Perth Hills

The air is cooling, the leaves are turning, and your hiking boots are waiting by the front door.

It’s time for autumn adventures in the Perth Hills, where cooler days bring rich colour and every excuse to spend more time outdoors.

Just 35 minutes southeast of the Perth CBD, Roleystone, Bedfordale and beyond feel a world away from suburbia. This pocket of winding roads, hidden orchards and valley trails is made for easy exploring. Here’s our guide to spending an autumn day in Armadale at an easy, leaf-crunching pace.

A Crisp Autumn Morning

Begin at the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre, easily accessible, just off Albany Highway. It’s a handy first stop for local advice, whether you want to shape your day around walking trails, gardens, food stops or heritage attractions. The Visitor Centre team know exactly what’s in season, what’s blooming and which trails are at their best. Pick up a piece of the region to take home, with shelves stocked with locally made artisan gifts and souvenirs. Grab a map, a few brochures and you’re set.

Next, drive up Brookton Highway into the Perth Hills for a morning caffeine stop at Raeburn Orchards. In May, the Roleystone favourite glows with rows of persimmon trees in shades of red and orange, creating one of the most photogenic autumnal scenes in the region. Onsite café, Coffee @The Shed, serves barista-made coffee, plus sweet and savoury bites to “grab and go”. Brew in hand, wander through the orchard’s falling leaves (a small entrance fee applies). Afterwards, stock up on seasonal fruits, gourmet preserves, local honey, ice cream and artisan crafts at the packing shed shop.   

Roley Pools Reserve is a mere 5 minutes away and offers a peaceful place to explore ancient granite outcrops, flowing water and plenty of wildlife. Follow the four gentle walking trails that trace the banks of the Canning River (Djarlgarro Beelier), the surrounding bushland alive with the squawks of Carnaby’s black cockatoos. Link the Boardwalk Trail (2.6km return) and the Heritage Walk Trail (3.2km return) together for a longer wander. Seek out The Cascades and Nature's Spa, where the water tumbles over rocks into deep, tranquil pools, or simply enjoy the stillness. The easy trails are a good length for kids and are dog-friendly (on leash).

Lunchtime Bites

By lunchtime, the fresh autumn air will have helped you work up an appetite. Armadale’s dining scene offers plenty of choice, whether you’re after a relaxed riverside meal or something more indulgent. Avocados Bar and Cafe offer laid-back dishes on a lily-packed stretch of the Canning River.

If you’re craving something cosy, the faux Tudor Last Drop Elizabethan is as authentic as it gets outside of England, complete with the heavy scent of malt and timber. On cool, late autumn days, crackling fireplaces are lit. A fireside table is the prime spot to tuck into a plate of traditional pub fare and pint from the Perth Hills’ first microbrewery.

For an elevated bite, Seven Sins Perth Hills pairs sweeping scarp views with modern European-inspired dishes. Bookings are recommended, as the view is just as famous as the crispy crackle pork knuckle. This hearty comfort dish is served by Chef Seb Sindermann with a creamy mash, sauerkraut, an apple mousse and shiraz jus. You’ll need a big appetite and possibly a takeaway container.

Heritage Packed Afternoons

No autumn itinerary in Armadale feels complete without a stop at Araluen Botanic Park. Best known for its springtime tulips, the iconic park takes on a slower, tranquil pace during April and May’s display of deciduous beauty. Spot the amber-leafed Japanese maple trees and first flush of autumn camellias blooming in the sheltered valley. The park’s celebrated Acer (maple) collection provides a stunning contrast against the towering Australian eucalyptus.

From here, take a short drive through the forest to Churchman Brook Dam. The picturesque picnic spot, popular with birdwatchers and photographers, is surrounded by bushland reflecting off the still waters of the century-old dam.

Finish the day back where you began at the Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum, found next to the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre. Showcasing the legacy of a pioneering local resident, see Bert’s meticulously restored Hornsby, Sunshine and Lister engines. This fascinating spot is free to visit, and also includes the Armadale Outpost Telegraph Centre and Museum of Communication.

If time allows, soak up a little more local history just down the road at the Minnawarra Historic Precinct. Surrounded by autumn-hued parkland, the History House Museum, Old School House and Minnawarra Chapel all offer glimpses into the region’s past.

After trading the freeway for the rustle of fallen leaves, the day feels full, though unhurried. That’s exactly how an autumn day in Perth Hills Armadale should be.

An Autumn Day in the Perth Hills Map