48-hour adventure Perth Toyota Rav4
MTB > camp > trek > paddle > climb Taking up one-third of Australia’s landmass, our biggest state has it all: rugged escarpments, sparkling seas and the untamed outback. You don’t need to cover the distance from the Great Australian Bight to the Timor Sea in search of adventure. Perth’s flanks dish out a hearty serving of potential exploits.
48-Hour Adventure Around Perth
MTB > camp > trek > paddle > climb
Taking up one-third of Australia’s landmass, our biggest state has it all: rugged escarpments, sparkling seas and the untamed outback. You don’t need to cover the distance from the Great Australian Bight to the Timor Sea in search of adventure. Perth’s flanks dish out a hearty serving of potential exploits.
WORDS Chelsea Eaw
7.04am FANG IT SOUTH along Kwinana Fwy. Swing right at Thomas Rd and point the RAV4 towards Point Peron. We’re taking a dip this morning. Dive into crystal clear water, discover a plethora of marine critters and don’t forget to admire the spectacular limestone headland. This is famed as one of Perth’s best shore diving and snorkelling sites.
8.59am TOWEL-UP AND JUMP back in the car. Next stop: Yalgorup National Park. Keep the salty sea spray on your windscreen as you follow the coast south. Skirt around Peel Inlet – the draining pool of three rivers – and jump out at Yalgorup. Saunter around Lake Preston to satisfy your inner birdwatcher – dotterels, parrots, kingfishers and more abound. Take a quick trip back in time at Preston Beach, where age-old thrombolites ¬– rock-like blobs built by microorganisms – have been hanging out since the dawn of time.
11.02am NATURAL HISTORY LESSON OVER – the adventure begins. Turn the beast towards Dardanup, then veer left until you hit Wellington State Forest. Here is the home of the infamous Grizzly Trail. Swallow your lunch and get your mountain biking gear on. You’re about to hit a narrow obstacle fest that’ll tickle your technical bone. The track weaves tightly past granite outcrops and towering jarrah forest, offering tantalising views of Collie River Valley. There are two trail heads: Pile Rd or Lennard Rd. Choose either, but stick left since the trail can be run in both directions.
5.17pm PITCH YOUR TENT amongst blackbutt and peppermint trees at the romantically named Honeymoon Pool campground. Enjoy the luxury of flush toilets in this secluded caravan-less, campervan-less, facility-full corner of the Collie River. In summer, dam releases at the Wellington Dam mean the Collie is paddle-able. Either way, take advantage of the wet stuff and have a splash – or, if you had the foresight to grab a freshwater fishing license before the weekend, cast-in a line to try your luck for a real bush dinner.
6.06am END THE HONEYMOON and head north. Follow the South Western Hwy through Pinjarra and hop out when you reach Jarrahdale, the Heritage Town closed in on all sides by park. Serpentine National Park is your park of choice this morning, and you’ll be tackling the Kitty’s Gorge Walk. Follow Serpentine River and Gooralong Brooke and test your ankles on the steep loose sections. Don’t forget to look up occasionally – if you don’t, you’ll miss the rocks and waterfalls.
10.37am YOU’RE IN MTB COUNTRY, so make the most of it. Midgegooroo National Park hosts a part of the long-distance trail, Munda-Biddi Mountain Bike Trail, that’ll eventually reach Albany. One-third of this massive trail will follow old railway lines, making it one of the longest rail trails on the planet. Otherwise take your pick, but don’t linger long – the day is young.
12.12pm RUN THE RAV4 NORTH, you’re headed for the granite crags of Kalamunda. Forget the rack; whip out your thickest bouldering mat. Within spitting distance of the famously charming Bibbulmun Track, the climbs are short here, so you might as well make most of the bouldering. Grab your chalk bag and hit up some highballs – aim for Piesse Wall, Piesse Boulders and Area 51. And bring a spotter!
1.23pm PICK UP YOUR PADDLE – it’s time to take on the famous Avon River. It’s the home of the annual Avon Descent, but don’t worry, we won’t make you do the entire heart-pumping, mind-testing 133km today. Instead, start your journey after Katrine Bridge, a hike up the Great Eastern Hwy. Flip a coin for the shuttle. Run the small but tricky Glen Avon Rapid, negotiate Sinclairs Crossing under Dumbarton Bridge and after Extracts Weir finish the day at Toodyay. Bring someone skilled in river rescue and portage anything you don’t like the look of.
4.35pm CAPITALISE ON THESE LONG SUMMER DAYS – jump off Toodyay Road at Perth’s fringe into John Forrest National Park, WA’s first national park. Soak in the history of one of Australia’s oldest reserves before flying down the Eagle View Walk Trail. Only start it if you’re fleet-footed – it’ll take about four hours, but much longer if you trundle. Don a headtorch if you’re scared of the dark.
8.47pm HIGHTAIL IT back towards Perth’s bright lights to find a watering hole of your choice. Down a cold one, gobble up some hot grub, kick up your heels and throw ideas on the table for your next grand weekend escapade.
