Sixty Foot Falls: My Guide for 2024
Kaya, hello. I’m Wendy, a Perth local, who enjoys hiking on weekends. Sixty Foot Falls is one of my favourite spring hikes as it is family-friendly and dogs are permitted on the trail.
Sixty Foot Falls is in Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Banyowla Regional Park. Being close to Perth, Western Australia, it is easily accessible and makes for a great day out for the whole family. Picnic areas and walking trails make it the perfect spot to spend a leisurely day outdoors.
Best Time to Visit
The optimum time to visit 60 Foot Falls is early spring, after the winter rains and when the wildflowers are starting to bloom. However, it’s a beautiful walk most of the year, except for summer when it’s too hot.
Getting There
Ellis Brook Reserve is located in the Banyowla Regional Park, on Rushton Road, in Martin, City of Gosnells.
From Tonkin Highway, turn east into Gosnells Road East. Turn right into Pitt Road. Turn right onto Hayward Road. Turn left into Quarry Road. Turn left into Rushton Road. Proceed for 1km to Honeyeater Hollow and a further 1km to the Ellis Valley Head car park.
Opening Times of Banyowla Regional Park
Banyowla Regional Park is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, except on days of extreme fire danger.
Facilities
- Gas Barbecues
- Picnic Shelters
- Seats and Tables
- Composting toilets on Rushton Road
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve Trails
Easy Walk Trail
A class 1, 500m loop through Wando Woodland. This walk is suitable for wheelchairs.
Eagle View Trail
A Class 3, 430m return walk which takes in views across the Swan Coastal Plain. Keep an eye out for the resident kangaroos.
Blue Wren Ramble Trail
A Class 3, 1.4km walk. This starts at Honeyeater Hollow and follows Ellis Brook to the car park in the middle of the valley. This Ellis Brook Valley hike is a great trail for bird lovers.
60 Foot Falls Trail
A class 5, 2km trail takes you to the top of the waterfall and past the disused quarry. Allow one to two hours depending on your fitness level and how long you stop along the way.
My 60 Foot Falls Walk
If you just want to do this loop trail, park in the middle valley car park. From here, you will see the information board with details of the walk and the fauna and flora that can be found on the trail.
There are Dieback Stations before you enter. Please make sure you use them to stop the Phytophthora Dieback. Just follow the instructions.
We decided to take the anti-clockwise route, which takes in the falls first and then back past the quarry. I recommend doing it this way, as the first part can be quite steep, and it is easier to go up than down. This path is also quite rocky and can be slippery when wet.
Make sure to stop at the lookout to see the Sixty Foot Falls (one of Perth’s best waterfalls). This waterfall only flows after heavy rain, so I suggest visiting at the end of winter or early spring. It’s been pretty wet this winter, so the waterfall flowed nicely.
The track leads to a granite shelf at the top of the falls. There are views of Perth from here, and you can even see Rottnest on a clear day. It’s at this part that you have to cross the brook. As I mentioned, it had been raining quite a bit, so there was a decent amount of water. We found it easier to cross from where you stand to look at Perth. Both ways lead back onto the track.
You now start the descent back down. The path is easy to navigate in this section which takes you past Old Barrington Quarry. This old granite and diorite mine was established in 1956 but was shut down as a result of public demand due to dust pollution.
The quarry is fenced off, but as you make your way down the path, you can squeeze through an opening in the wire fence. The views from up there are stunning, and it feels like you could be in a remote part of Western Australia. The granite rocks are beautiful, and the man-made lake is emerald green. Just be very careful and don’t go near the edge. There is nothing between you and the bottom of the quarry, which is a massive drop.
As you descend from here, you get to a 4wd track and have the option of turning right. Take this path as it leads to the bottom of the quarry. It’s a beautiful area; you can see just how high you were standing. However, it was sad to see the graffiti on the top of the quarry wall.
Back on the trail, and it takes you down more stairs to cross the wooden bridge and back to the start of the walk.
The fence at the top of the quarry has been replaced, and you can no longer get through.
Locals Tips
- Bring lots of drinking water as there aren’t any water fountains in the park.
- Take rubbish home with you as no bins are provided.
- Visit in early spring to see over 550 species of wildflowers.
- It’s a 45-minute walk, but it took us 90 minutes with photo stops.
Maps
The city of Gosnells provides a pocket Map. There are also maps on the Information Boards in the park.
Wildflowers
Banyowla Regional Park has over 500 species of wildflowers and is recognised as the richest wildflower location in the Perth metro area.
Hidden Gems of Perth Hiking Tour
If you’re travelling solo and would like company visiting 60 Foot Falls, Off the Beaten Track offer a full day hiking experience. Covering about 9 km you will explore the hidden pools and natures spa at Roley Pool Reserve and the waterfalls and cascades of Whistlepipe Gully.
Stop at Naked Apple Cidery for a 2-course lunch where you can enjoy a glass of cider (or beer, wine or coffee).
This hike is suitable for beginner and intermediate levels.
Find Out More Direct from Off the Beaten Track here
60 Foot Falls Photos
Other Perth Waterfalls
Perth waterfalls may not be up there with New Zealand or Queensland, but there are still some beautiful falls and spectacular hikes. Some other waterfalls around Perth are:
