Jarrahdale is a small historic town that is located just one hour South of Perth. Previously a logging town, Jarrahdale has now become a tourist attraction known for its spectacular forests, hiking trails and rich history.
If you’re planning a trip to Jarrahdale and are not sure what to do, you’ve come to the right post. We’ve put together a list of the top 8 things to do in Jarrahdale for the ultimate day trip or weekend getaway.
1. Take on Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail
If you’re looking for the perfect way to get out in nature and experience the natural beauty of Jarrahdale, this trail is the perfect thing to do. The Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail is a popular half day hiking trail that starts opposite the Jarrahdale cemetery, taking you through a variety of different landscapes to reach the famous Serpentine Falls.
The hike follows the Serpentine River and Gooralong Brook, providing a number of stunning photo opportunities as you pass woodlands, waterfalls and if you’re completing the trail in Spring, an abundance of wildflowers. Make sure to pack swimwear on a hot day so you can reward yourself with a dip in the cool water at Serpentine Falls.
The hike is approximately 14km in length, taking around 5 hours to complete depending on your pace and desire to sight see or take pictures. Due to the length of the trail and the presence of uneven ground, steep sections and slippery surfaces we’d recommend only taking this trail on if you’re comfortable with hiking and have some bushwalking experience.
2. Go for a Dip or Picnic at Serpentine Falls
Serpentine Falls is a popular swimming and picnic spot that lies just 15 minutes away from Jarrahdale in the neighbouring town of Serpentine. The falls are an awe-worthy waterfall that cascade over a large granite outcrop into the pool of water below.
Serpentine National Park makes for the perfect day out with so much to do, not only does the park have the falls but it has beautiful grass lawns to picnic on, several hiking trails and many facilities including toilets, picnic tables and barbecues. The park also has some resident kangaroos who you may see nibbling on grass in the picnic area.
You can reach Serpentine Falls via the Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail mentioned previously however if you’re not keen on tackling a hike to reach the falls you can just drive to Serpentine Falls directly. There are entry fees to the park. As of writing this post (November 2022), the entry fee is $15 per vehicle.
3. Saddle up on an Adventure Rideout with Jarrahdale Equestrian
Animal lovers and adventurers alike won’t want to pass up the adventure rideout offered by Jarrahdale Equestrian. An adventure rideout is a unique way to enjoy the beauty of Jarrahdale as you take a relaxing horseback ride through the picturesque hills of Jarrahdale. Immersing you into the serene native bushland where you can encounter the local wildlife and pass by grazing cattle and sheep.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to experience the adventure rideout ourselves as we were only staying for a short period in Jarrahdale, however we recommend you check out their amazing Google reviews where many happy customers share their experience with the adventure rideout and how it was the perfect thing to do during their time in Jarrahdale.
At the time of writing this (November 2022) the 1 hour ride costs $180 for one person or $155 per person when booking 2-3 people.
4. Enjoy Brunch and Send Some Mail at the Jarrahdale Local PO Kitchen
Strolling down to the Jarrahdale Local PO Kitchen for brunch is a must-do when staying in the town of Jarrahdale. The Jarrahdale Local PO Kitchen is Jarrahdale’s local post office and cafe all in one, which is convenient if you need to send any mail while you’re there! The cafe is run by Adam and Lan Gianatti who work with local suppliers and bakeries to source fresh homemade products.
Their menu has you covered for breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack and they cater for all dietary needs, so no matter what time you pop by or what you’re after they have you covered. Be it with a classic eggs benny, a pulled pork burger, fried rice, a panini or a simple cup of coffee.
5. Walk Through the Town and Admire the Local History
As one of Western Australia’s oldest settlements, Jarrahdale is known as a historic town that is rich in history. Previously a logging town where workers exported Jarrah timber around the world the town still features many historic sites which are preserved thanks to the Jarrahdale Heritage Society.
So put on your trainers or hiking boots and spend some time exploring the town. Some must sees are the Old Post Office Museum, the Centenary Log, the Jarrahdale General Store, the St Paul’s Anglican Church and the WW1 War Memorial.
6. Hit the Jarrahdale Skate Park
Skaters rejoice! Make sure to pack your board, rollerblades, scooter or bike when heading down to Jarrahdale so you can spend some time at the Jarrahdale Skate park. The skate park features 1500H quarter pipe, 1200H quarter pipe, 900H quarter pipe, nipple section, taco section and a mogul section. There’s also a public toilet and free wifi at the park so you can spend as long as you’d like there.
7. Dine in Style at the Millbrook Winery
Millbrook Winery is an award wining boutique winery and restaurant that is situated in Jarrahdale. The winery features an olive grove, an orchard, a garden and vineyards all nestled amongst Jarrah forests and the rolling countryside.
The garden is hand-picked daily to be used in the exquisite dishes served at the Millbrook restaurant, who don’t buy fruit and vegetables. Their menu is decided on by what fruits and vegetables they have available in their garden and orchard. Resulting in a varied and wonderfully fresh and flavourful menu which pairs perfectly with their premium wines.
Besides being known as a fantastic fine dining spot for lunch or dinner the Millbrook Winery is a site to see in itself with superb architecture and sweeping views of the lake and surrounding vineyards, making it a ‘must see’ spot in Jarrahdale.
8. Do One of The Many Other Incredible Jarrahdale Trails
Besides the popular Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail, Jarrahdale has an abundance of beautiful trails to suit everyone with; hiking trails, mountain bike trails and horse riding trails.
Their hiking trails are of varying difficulties. So, whether you’re an experienced hiker looking for something a little more challenging or you’re a newbie looking for a short trail to enjoy the natural beauty of Jarrahdale, there’s a hiking trail for you. Some popular hiking trails include the 1872 Heritage Railway Trail, the Mundlimup Timber Trail and Stacey’s Track, all of which are fun trails to do in Jarrahdale.
Enjoy Your Trip to Jarrahdale
And there you have our list of things to do when you’re in Jarrahdale! We hope you enjoyed this post and have a fantastic trip to Jarrahdale.
If you’re interested we’ve also put together some answers for frequently asked questions about Jarrahdale below.
What is Jarrahdale Known for?
Jarrahdale is a small historic town that is known for its spectacular forests and rich history.
How Far is Jarrahdale from Perth?
Jarrahdale is approximately 45 kilometres from Perth, which is about a 50 minute drive away (depending on traffic).
Are there Any Free Campsites for Caravans and Recreational Vehicles in Jarrahdale?
Yes, Jarrahdale has a free recreational vehicle short stay area. You can stay here for a maximum of 72 hours.
If you decide to stay there make sure to respect the campsite and abide by any rules set out by the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. We are extremely grateful to have been provided this spot to stay during our time in Jarrahdale. It was actually the first place we stayed when starting full time van life.
How Old is Jarrahdale?
Jarrahdale was established in the late 1800s. By the mid 1870s Jarrahdale had around 50 houses, a materials store, a workshop and a school.
What Shire is Jarrahdale in?
Jarrahdale is in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
What Region is Jarrahdale in?
Jarrahdale is within the Peel Region.
How Big is Jarrahdale?
Jarrahdale has an area of 256.4 km2 and a population of 1205.
Hey! I’m Lydia and I have been travelling full time with Wehan since 2022. Alongside documenting our travels on YouTube, we put together comprehensive travel guides on the locations we visit here on our website. We also put together guides on other aspects of our travels, such as detailed information on the gear we use, specifics on our van build and tips for van life. Our goal with this website and the guides we write is to help others travel.
At the moment we are currently doing the big lap of Australia in our self converted Sprinter van. Our goal is to continue to push ourselves outside our comfort zone; seeking new adventures, learning about new cultures and seeing as much of the world as possible.
