It's time to bring out the comfy walking shoes and enjoy some rejuvenating fresh air!

There are endless walking trails in the Perth Hills and along the coast, plus some great walks around Perth metro. To help you find a place to start, here are five of the best, including two suitable dog walks for Perth pooch lovers. Four of the trails are between 1.5 and 3km, but we start with a breathtaking 15km loop to get the blood pumping.

Eagle View Walking Trail, Perth Hills 

Location: John Forrest National Park
Distance: 15km loop | Time to allow: 5-6 hours
Fitness level: Tracks have steep sections and steps; some bushwalking experience is recommended.

When we say 'breathtaking', you can take it two ways. Eagle View Walk in the Perth Hills is moderately challenging if you're just building your fitness back up after a lazy winter, so expect to stop occasionally to catch your breath. The pay-off is the views, which are also likely take your breath away!

Expect to find yourself gazing into the far distance across the vast Swan Coastal Plain to the Indian Ocean and city skyline, or stopping to take in some stunning waterfalls, pretty bushland, jarrah/marri/wandoo forest and the babbling Jane Brook. The falls are generally at their best at the end of a wet winter, and if you're quick, you might even catch the last of the spring wildflowers. Hovea Falls create a beautiful backdrop to your picnic lunch, or morning tea if you're an early bird. 

As with all bush walks in Perth's surrounding National Parks, take sensible precautions. Register before heading off and on your return, and follow the yellow triangles along the way to stay on course. This walk also has signage to help you can keep track of how far you've walked.

If you're still walking just before dusk, keep an eye out for kangaroos. It's such a thrill to see these delightful creatures in their natural habitat. As John Forrest National Park is a protected area, no dogs are allowed. There's a car park and kiosk for refreshments; walkers are always welcome, but no bikes.

For more walking trails in the Perth Hills, visit this link: Perth Hills Walking Trails.

Law Walk Loop, Kings Park

Location: Kings Park
Distance: 2.5 km loop | Time to allow: Up to an hour
Fitness level: Easy with some hilly sections; this walk suits the majority of fitness levels. Parts of the walk are wheelchair accessible.

There are a surprisingly large number of beautiful river and bush walks in Perth itself, the Swan River Loop and Reabold Hill being just two. Law Walk in Kings Park is an excellent choice for first-time visitors, a relatively gentle walk around Perth's beautiful 400 hectare urban park with views of the City and Swan River. 

Kings Park is spread across Mount Eliza overlooking the river, and is a protected area of fascinating biodiversity, with a Botanic Garden well worth exploring. In the wilder areas of the park, you can easily imagine you're miles from civilisation, while the vast lawned areas are wonderfully refreshing for lazing on the grass or kicking a footy.

Law Walk is also a great dog walk for Perth locals and those who love travelling with their faithful friend, but do keep them on a lead at all times. The walk starts with the iconic view of the river and city, takes you along the edge of the Mount Eliza escarpment and crosses the Lotterywest Federation Walkway with its birds-eye view of the Botanic Garden and beautiful jarrah and marri trees. Note that dogs aren't allowed on the elevated section of the Walkway.

Signage along the way tells you about the plants, trees and Aboriginal heritage of the area. Drop into the Visitor Information Centre for more details and other walks around Perth's famous Kings Park, or go to this link: Kings Park Walking Trails. 

To complete your day out, there are cafes, playgrounds, toilets and gazebos for picnics dotted around the park. Stay on for a meal at Fraser's Restaurant and enjoy the romance of the evening city skyline. If you can't get a spot in one of the car parks, you'll find time-limited bays along the streets in West Perth - fees apply.

The Activation ArtWalk, Perth

Location: Forrest Place to Optus Stadium
Distance: 3km approx | Time to allow: Up to an hour
Fitness Level: Easy

The Activation ArtWalk is a must for lively minds and active bodies! Take your mobile device because along the route, augmented reality (AR) artworks keep you mesmerised via the free EyeJack app. You'll need to download the app first, open it and then download the Activated ArtWalk event pack before you set off.

AR brings artworks to life by overlaying computer-generated information. It's a little like virtual reality, but specific to the object you're viewing - you have to see it to believe it! The artworks have been created by artists from around the world, including WA's Peter Farmer, James Giddy and Alexander Hare. 

Stickers along the route indicate where the artworks are located. All you have to do is view the artwork with your mobile device and tap the 'Launch AR' button in the EyeJack event. Keep your sound on too! The walking trail starts in Perth City and takes you over the Matagarup Bridge in East Perth, and to Optus Stadium. In fact, the ArtWalk was created with Stadium visitors in mind, as crowds make their way from the City for sports and entertainment at the venue.

East Perth has some great cafes and restaurants to settle into after the excitement of your trail. For a range of guided walks around Perth, book a tour with Two Feet & a Heartbeat, and go to the following links for more art walks and heritage walking trails in Perth: Perth City Public Art Walks and Perth City Heritage Trails.

Penguin Island Boardwalk & Walk Trail, Rockingham

Location: Penguin Island, near Rockingham
Distance: 1.5km loop | Time to allow: 2 hours minimum with penguin feeding
Fitness level: No bushwalking experience required; no steps or steep sections; suitable for wheelchair accompanied by someone who can assist them. 

When choosing walks around the Perth region, we couldn't leave out our coastline! You can walk for miles along the coastal paths and beaches, stopping for a dip on a hot day, or a cool drink in a beachfront cafe. A short drive or train ride down the coast brings you to Penguin Island near Rockingham. Hop onto a ferry with Perth Wildlife Encounters and you'll be across to the island in five minutes.

The walking trail includes information too, about the penguins and the other fauna and flora of the tiny island. It's important to remember that Penguin Island is a bird sanctuary, so visitors must stay on the walk trails and designated beach areas only, and dogs aren't allowed.

Pack your swimming and snorkelling gear to make a full day of it. You can surf and windsurf here too if you're feeling seriously energetic. There are no restaurant facilities, so refreshments and spread out in the picnic area provided.

Alternatively, head back into Rockingham, where you'll find some great little eateries close to the foreshore and space for children to play. And for a real treat, visit Peel Estate Winery; keep an eye on their website for details of their summer music series.

Jorgensen Park Walk Trail, Perth Hills

Location: Jorgensen Park, Kalamunda
Distance: 2.7km loop | Time to allow: Up to an hour
Fitness level: No bushwalking experience required; this trail is on a hard surface with only gentle slopes and occasional steps.

This is an unusual bush walk in the Perth Hills. Jorgensen Park, in the little town of Kalamunda, was once a golf course, and the walk trail follows the old fairways. Nature has reclaimed the course, so you won't see manicured greens any longer; instead, the trail provides an easy walk through natural bushland with a lookout over the Helen River Valley.

Kalamunda is the starting point for the 1000km Bibbulmun Track, and there are a couple of sections of the Jorgensen Trail that run along it, so you can legitimately claim you have walked the famous Bibb Track! Keep on course by following the signage and red triangles. This is a great dog walk in the Perth Hills, and an easy walk for children, with barbecue facilities and a picnic area.

There are eateries in Kalamunda if you prefer a sit-down meal. While you're in town, drop into the Perth Hills Visitor Centre for more information on the region, including the many fabulous wineries, and art galleries.