Lesmurdie Falls (Valley Loop Trail)

Lesmurdie Falls located in Mundy Regional Park in the hills east of Perth, is the largest and most impressive of all the waterfalls in Perth!

There are 5 walking trails you can explore here to get your dose of waterfalls and cascades varying from 640m to 3kms, with the Valley Loop Trail being the longest and my personal favourite! Setting off from Falls Rd car park there is a fantastic trail information board which provides a map and list of the trails, with duration and level of difficulty.

Following the pink markers, the trail takes you alongside Lesmurdie Brook as you head downhill on some concrete steps to the first viewing platform over the falls. As you approach the second lookout views of the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth city skyline take your breath away. Take a moment to sit and admire our beautiful city with the sounds of the water gushing below, you wont regret it! After filling your soul, continue your decent by skirting down the edge of the ridge, but don’t forget to look back at those falls!

The trail suddenly becomes very narrow and rocky as you make your way to the bottom of the valley. As you reach the babbling brook, the official trail takes you over the brook to continue on up the other side of the valley, but I think it’s a shame to miss out on exploring the foot of the falls so turn right here and follow the trail alongside the stream until you reach the base of Lesmurdie Falls. This is a very special place during Winter and Spring with the Karri Hazel in bloom providing a beautiful fresh scent combined with the sound of the water cascading around you as you rock hop and explore the impressive black and orange rocks of the falls.

Once you’ve soaked in the ambiance, make your way back to the trail intersection, and cross the brook over to the other side using the rocks or fallen tree to get across. If the water is too high or you’re not feeling too adventurous you can continue up the trail for 100m to the Palm Terrace Car park and cross here. After crossing (and hopefully having dry shoes still) you’ll ascend up the valley on a short but steep narrow and rocky trail. As you reach the top there is a lookout with a rock seat which provides the perfect pace to sit and admire the falls from another view point.

Following the pink markers through the top section you can expect to see a sea of colour when the wildflowers are blooming in August – October! There are also some fantastic granite outcrops and boulders through this section waiting for you to explore. The trail is quite well marked through here so following the pink markers will lead you back to Lesmurdie Brook where you then have the option of turning left and completing the Lesmurdie Brook Loop Trail or crossing the bridge and turning right back to the car park. There is a beautiful little waterfall here to give you one last WOW moment before you complete your loop by finishing the hike back at the Falls Rd car park.

Lesmurdie Falls is an absolutely epic waterfall! Being able to explore the falls from the top and the base plus admire it from anywhere in the valley makes the Valley Loop trail one of my favourite Perth family friendly walking trails.

Please Note: The main start point of exploration for Lesmurdie Falls is the Falls Rd car park. There is a toilet block here as well as a couple of picnic tables nearby but be warned this area gets very busy during Winter and Spring weekends so head out early if you like to avoid the crowds. There is an alternative Start Point being the Palm Terrace car park, Palm Terrace (off Lewis Rd) in Forestfield.