John Forrest National Park, Perth, Western Australia

John Forrest National Park in 10, 9, 8.... 

With the beautiful blue sky days of late, we decided to take a hiking trip this weekend to the difficult to find John Forrest National park. The conservation park is located 24kms east of Perth in the Darling Scarp range and was the first official national park in Western Australia.                                                                        

Kanagroos in the car park

National park falls

Originally named Greenmount Park the name was changed in 1900 to commemorate Western Australia's first premier.

So, early on Saturday morning we jumped in our blistered little maroon Holden and drove East towards the park. Winding through the dry landscape and scattered trees we arrived, parked up and were greeted by a mother Kangaroo and her little baby! 

Hi ho hi ho- where does the trail go?

It also smelt wonderful, gum trees and eucalyptus dominated the area and mixed with the natural rustic earthy smell of Australia.

Captivating rocky landscapre

Our intention was to hike the railway reserve heritage trail, a short 4-5km path that leads to an old tunnel.

The old swan view tunnel built in 1980 carried rail traffic through the region and park until 1966, until the line was closed. So off we went waving goodbye to the kangas.
Initially, it was a quiet day and not many others were around so we had the trail to ourselves. Well we thought we did but as we begun walking we could hear constant scampering in the bush at our feet.

Taking a short break

Kara became obsessed that there might be snakes and excitedly couldn't stop talking about them "John? How about here?
Can we lift up this dead log?" But we didn't find any, just plenty of little lizards.
As the muddy path thickened and we walked beside an old dam, suddenly a gorgeous kookaburra flew down and sung to us.

Our first encounter at such close range, we were surprised that it's such a small bird, cause gosh they can sing loud!

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree! 

The trail then half looped around several small hills and we eventually came out by a massive rock area. The stunning National Park falls!


Except with the hot dry temperatures there was no water, no fall, no waterfall!! But no doubt with the massive rocks it could be very beautiful and impressive in winter! We climbed over them for a short time peering down into the puddles below.

Looking for the tunnel

Look (no snakes)

The day was really heating up now, we could see the railway tunnel and thought it would be a perfect place to eat our picnic lunch. Nothing fancy just a ham and cheese salad sandwich and muesli bar each. The long tunnel was cool and damp, an excellent location to take a rest, with views down over the swan valley and further across to Perth. As we sat and watched the massive brown ants nibble our crumbs several cycling groups came whizzing down the dark tunnel and a family who looked like they had struggled coming up the opposite hill!

Rusty dusty roads

Returning, we were amazed at the brilliant redness of the ground, as if the ground had bleed and wept when they cut the trail into the dry hillside.

The rusty dust bellowed up with each step covering our clean shoes and making its way into the crevices where our socks met with our ankles.

We also saw strange crispy black plants as if they had been scorched, burnt and toasted, we weren't sure what they were or how why they looked like they had been on fire and they were regular along the path.

As we returned we passed via the dam which blocks the Jane brook, built by relief workers during the 1930 Great Depression. In the small recreation area were shelters, bbq's and a small information board.

Jane Brook Dam

According to aboriginal history the area had once been inhabited by Nyoongar people and the Jane brook was an ancient travel route used to cross over the Darling Scarp. It is believed that the black rocks surrounding and in the brook are mythical droppings of a mythical dream-time serpent.

Glen brook dam

We returned back to the car but decided to walk back via the 'scenic' route in the opposite direction down to the Glen brook dam (another dam).

The path was much thicker, but still no snakes. The dam was beautiful, it didn't look too deep and the water was an amazing green blue colour- how we wished we could take a dip! But the calm water was a bit stagnant and we didn't want to take any risks so we dipped our hot swollen feet instead

Tot siens,
John and Kara

Perth, Western Australia

Merry Christmas from Melbourne

Happy New Year!! 

We hope that where ever you are or where ever you have been that you had a fabulous adventure, we are sure this will be an exciting year!

So where are we now? After spending a happy Christmas period and an amazing birthday celebration with family in Melbourne we flew on to Perth, in remote Western Australia. 

Birthday yum-cha! 

Right from exiting our cramped tiger air flight at the international airport the heat has suppressed us! Adelaide was warm, but Perth is so much drier and it just seems so much hotter. The weather is unbelievably warm… and in the last two weeks it's felt like what a real summer should be! 

The problem with the summer weather, which we had never even considered is that most days we’re forced to remain indoors for the heat is so intense. Early in the mornings, after breakfast under the patio, Mila and Kara will take a dip in her paddling pool but then it's inside time as the ferocious sun bares down! 

An evening on Cottosloe Beacg

However, I guess in every situation there's an upside.... its so hot that there aren't the onslaught of flies like in South Australia! 

So over the last couple of weeks we have been inside relaxing on Ilija and Judiet's couch, eating healthy out on the patio and getting in plenty of evening exercise! We prefer walking as the neighbourhood is very flat! We are very fortunate to have bunked up with some friendly locals, who are just as excited as us to explore Perth! 

Admiring the city view from Kings Park, Central Perth

Last weekend we all jumped in the car taking off to Cottosloe city beach for a swim and ice cream, and the following day to Kings Park. Kings Park a national park on the west side of Perth business district and is spread over Mount Eliza. It was opened in 1895 and later in 1901 renamed as dedication to the King Edward VII ascending the throne. It's unique is the fact that it's one of the biggest inner city parks in the world but also it's perhaps the only hill in Perth. From the park edge there is a fantastic panoramic view out over the city, Swan river and as far as the Darling ranges. Although it was hot, we can already appreciate the well

maintained green grass that runs down over hills! 

First day of work- what a handsome man! 

We also have been spirited off on a half day tour of Perth's IKEA- our first experience at this gigantic, buy everything you want and more that you don't need, superstore but certainly not our last visit! Being privy to all the small day to day things are quite exciting, like how all the supermarkets seem to be self-check out and people just tap and pay everywhere! 

John was super fortunate to have nailed down a new job within days of our arrival and started last week. With everything going well hopefully Kara will have some work soon too (the interviews haven’t been successful just yet…). In order to move around and get John to work, we also have brought a new little maroon car! The whole buying process was a little stressful and in hindsight we probably didn't get the best bang for our buck. 

Our snazy new holden :) 

With our plans to settle in Perth for several months we will continue to blog about our adventures in this vast western wildness!

Please keep in touch, we love hearing from you!

Tot siens,

John and Kara