If you are after a Sunday afternoon hike with the whole family, fur babies included, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is an absolute MUST! Recognised as the richest wildflower location in the Perth Metropolitan Area, Ellis Brook Valley is home to over 500 species of wildflowers, a 60 foot waterfall and only a 35 minute drive from Perth.
Unlike National Parks, entry to Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is free, the gates are open from 8am to 5pm every day, but will be closed on days of very high or extreme fire danger.
There are four walk trails of varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from the Easy Walk Trail, which provides wheelchair/pram access to the bushland, to the more difficult Sixty Foot Falls Trail, which takes you to the top of the waterfall with spectacular City views. Other walk trails include the Blue Wren Ramble Trail (easy), 2.8km return and the Eagle View Trail (moderate) 430m return. Click here to view The Ellis Brook Valley Walk Trails map. Before beginning your walk make sure you clean your shoes at the station to prevent spreading of dieback disease.
Sixty Foot Falls Trail
The Sixty Foot Falls Trail is listed as difficult as it involves quite a steep ascent and descent but my 2.5 year old managed to do the trail relatively easy and enjoyed the challenge of the narrow, rocky and steep pathways – he also enjoyed all the muddy puddles along the way!
We did the walk anti-clockwise, walking passed the small bridge not long into the trail. There is a lookout mid-ascent which is the perfect spot to not only take in the amazing view of the Ellis Brook Waterfall which flows seasonally from about June to October, depending on rainfall, it was also a great pitstop for the kids to rest their legs and have a drink of water.
Once at the top you definitely feel like you’re on top of the world! It is a great picnic spot so make sure you pack some snacks and drinks. The kids also loved playing in the flowing water so packing a bag of supplies is a good idea.
The Sixty Foot Falls Trail 2.1km loop, my kids loved getting back to nature, the rugged terrain and finding lots of big sticks to play with along the way.
Old Barrington Quarry
On the descent down we stopped to check out the old Barrington Quarry, while entering through the hole in the fence is technically trespassing, it is totally worth it because it’s beautiful beyond words and my highlight of the trail! The emerald green water and the colours and textures on the rocks are amazing – photos just don’t do it justice. You can also access the quarry from the ground after you have made your decent.
Hollow Picnic Area
Before heading home we stopped at Hollow Picnic Area for a bite to eat, there are BBQ facilities, picnic shelters, seating, tables and waterless toilets.
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is free to enter and dog friendly, in addition to Hollow Picnic Area there are plenty of other information stations and places to stop for a rest. The best time to visit Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is mid-September to early November for the wildflowers and after good rainfall to see the waterfall flowing. Parking can be a little hard to come by during busy periods.
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve
Open 7 days, 6am – 7pm. Free Entry.
Rushton Road, Martin.
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