If your family is craving a bit of fresh air, a simple nature walk in the Perth Hills is the answer. The Roley Pools Trails in Roleystone are such a kid-friendly option, with several short trails.
Roley Pools is perfect for curious kids. The trails are all relatively short (under 3km) and there’s plenty of nature to explore. A few interpretative boards give handy directions and info.
The Canning River runs through this area, so there’s plenty of opportunity for a paddle too, at any time of year.
Kids can keep their eyes peeled for birds, insects, wildflowers and a rock wall that is millions of years old.
Board Walk Trail, 2.6km (return)
Begin at the Soldiers Road bridge. and walk along the south side of the river to the cascades. The trail takes you through gorgeous bushland, with plenty to look at along the way — tall trees, rocky sections, running water in the wetter months and, of course, the pools themselves. Depending on the season, the scenery is really lush. For families with older kids, it’s a great one for exploring, climbing over rocks and spotting little bits of wildlife along the way. Younger kids may need a bit more help on some sections, but if they’re used to walking trails, they’ll likely love the sense of adventure.
Roley Pools Walk Trail, 1 km (return)
Begin at the top of the Collins Road steps, be sure to explore the river at the bottom of the steps, before walking west towards the Soldiers Road bridge. This walk is one of those spots that feels peaceful and a little adventurous for families who enjoy getting outdoors. Kids can explore somewhere more natural than the usual playground.
Heritage Walk, 3.2km (return)
Begin at the Thompson Road cascades and walk eastwards past farmland.
The kids will love to rock hop at the cascades. If you want a longer hike, you can easily join a couple of these trails together. One of the best things about Roley Pools is that you don’t have to be a serious hiker to enjoy it, but it still feels rewarding enough that everyone gets that “we did something today” feeling by the end.
Just make sure you wear decent shoes, because parts of the trail can be uneven and a little rocky underfoot. It’s a good idea to bring water, snacks and keep an eye on the weather, especially in warmer months. If you’re not that organised, like me, nearby Blue Sky Bread is perfect for a coffee and fresh bake to go.
If you’re looking for a family outing that’s low-cost, scenic and a great excuse to get everyone off screens for a while, Roley Pools Trails is a beautiful choice. It’s one of those simple Perth Hills outings that reminds you how many great nature spots we’ve got right on our doorstep.
Find limited parking for Roley Pools Trails on Soldiers Road, Collins Road and Thompson Road, Roleystone.
Find more things to do in Perth Hills Armadale here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
