Lesmurdie Falls, Perth’s best waterfall, has numerous walking trails for all fitness levels. This local’s guide provides all the information you need to make the best of your time at this popular natural attraction.
This spectacular waterfall is east of Perth, Western Australia, in the Darling Range.
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Location of Lesmurdie Falls
Lesmurdie Falls are part of Mundy Regional Park, in the Perth Hills.
I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Beeloo people, the Traditional Owners, and the first people of these lands. I would like to pay my respect to the Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of the Beeloo people.
Lesmurdie Falls Parking
There are two main car parks for Lesmurdie Falls. The one at the end of Palm Terrace is small, but cars park along the side of the road. There are a couple of picnic tables at the Lower Lesmurdie Falls car park but no toilets.
The larger car park is on Falls Road with shaded picnic tables and toilets, which are fully accessible.
When is the best time to visit Lesmurdie Falls?
My favourite time of year to visit Lesmurdie Falls is early spring. The falls should be flowing after the winter rains, and the pretty wildflowers will be in bloom.
Spring is the most popular time of year to visit the falls, so the walking trails, picnic areas, and trails will be busy. If you can visit during the week, it will be quieter.
Lesmurdie Falls Walk Trails
The Falls Trail 640m return, Class 2, allow 45 min.
From the trail head at Falls Rd car park, it’s an easy short return walk to Lesmurdie Falls. The trail follows Lesmurdie Brook with lookouts along the way. The views are lovely across the foothills to the city of Perth and the coastal plain.
The Shoulder Trail 1.5km return, Class 3, allow 1hr.
The Shoulder Trail takes you across the footbridge and an easy climb on pavers. Near the junction with the Valley Loop Trail, the trail becomes uneven.
Foot of the Falls Trail 2km return, Class 3, allow 1hr.
The Foot of the Falls trail can be started from either car park. It takes you along the brook to the foot of the falls and up to the lookouts.
Lesmurdie Brook Loop 1.5km return, Class 2, allow 1hr.
Lesmurdie Brook Loop doesn’t take in the falls but follows Lesmurdie Brook upstream, passing beautiful bridges.
Valley Loop. 3km return Class 3, allow 2hrs.
The Valley Loop is our favourite trail in Lesmurdie Falls National Park as it incorporates all the walking tracks. You get to see the falls from the bottom and the top plus the lookouts and The Shoulder.
We started at the Palm Terrace car park and followed the brook upstream. The dirt path runs along Lesmurdie Brook and through forest. The wildflowers were out, so the walk took quite a bit longer than anticipated 🙂
The falls aren’t seen until the last moment when you turn a corner. To get good photos, it does require a bit of rock scrambling. It was packed with people trying to take selfies and children climbing all over the rocks, but I managed to find a quiet spot to take some photos. I wasn’t carrying a tripod with me, so I had to rely on balancing my camera on my legs.
After photographing and taking in this stunning waterfall’s beauty, we took the goat path onto the main track to carry on our walk.
The trail is well maintained and has steps leading up to the lookouts.
There are two viewing platforms to see the falls from. The first one has stunning views of the side of the falls and across the Swan Coastal Plain to Perth. This lookout is a great place to be at sunset.
The Head of the Falls lookout overlooks the spectacular waterfall with Lesmurdie brook tumbling over the Darling Range Escarpment.
We then walked up to the Cascades, a picturesque area where the brook cascades over the rocks.
Crossing the bridge, we then headed to the Shoulder and back down to where we started.
The track on this side wasn’t as good but manageable. However, it wasn’t well signposted, and we weren’t sure if we were on the right trail. We did, however, make it back down to the bottom of Lesmurdie Creek, where we had to cross back over to the car park.
Lesmurdie Falls Scenic Sunset Guided Hike
If you want to be part of a group, this tour by the Hike Collective is perfect. The hike lasts around two hours and have a maximum group of twenty. You will hike through the Mundy Regional Park to the foot of the falls before returning to the lookout on the top of the falls for sunset.
Book here for free cancellation and lowest price guarantee.
Tips for visiting Lesmurdie Falls
- Rocks can be slippery when wet so pay attention to where you are walking
- Watch children carefully
- Take plenty of water with you
- Wear sun protection
- Take a picnic or visit a café in Kalamunda
- The trail on the Valley Loop isn’t well marked so I suggest taking a phone with GPS
Accommodation near Lesmurdie Falls
If you want to see the sunset from Lesmurdie Falls or make an early start, I recommend staying close by.
For couples, Treetops Cottage has a cosy wood fire to keep you warm in the winter months and is located in Kalamunda. It’s highly rated with 9.7 out of 10. Read the reviews here.
Discovery Parks – Perth Airport is only a 5-minute drive to Palm Terrace car park. There is a range of cabins available, and the park is family-friendly. We are looking to book a night here to see the falls at sunset.
Lesmurdie Falls FAQ
Can I take my dog to Lesmurdie Falls?
Yes, you can take your dog to Lesmurdie Falls but they must be kept on a lead at all times.
Can you swim at Lesmurdie Falls?
No, Lesmurdie Falls is not suitable for swimming.
How long is the Lesmurdie Falls Walk?
There are various lengths of Lesmurdie Falls walks ranging from 640 m to 3 km.
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:
Western Australia Travel Guide
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The nature looks beautiful and some great tips for travellers. I think we’d probably try to find accommodation at Treetops Cottage.
Treetops Cottage sounds amazing, great choice!
Looks stunning I think the foot of the falls trail sounds fun it great to get that close to them.
That view of Perth from the lookout is amazing 👏
Thank you, the views from Lesmurdie Falls are pretty spectacular.
This looks like another stunning Australian waterfall. I would have never expected it so close to Perth though. I’m in love with the skyline view from the lookout point! What a great combination.
We’re lucky to have a few waterfalls that are quite close to Perth. The view is lovely from Lesmurdie Falls.
Gorgeous photos of Lesmurdie Falls! Would love to go chase this waterfall!
Thanks Karen, we enjoy trails that lead us to waterfalls.
Such a beautiful hike so close to
the city! This looks like a lovely getaway for a day, or even a weekend! Glad you didn’t fall off the rocks while you were balancing for your pictures!
I’m glad I didn’t fall off the rocks too Jenny haha
Looks like a great hike indeed ! Would love to visit this waterfall, and it seems so close to the city, so convenient for a proper break.
You could easily make a weekend break of it and stay in the Perth Hills.
What a local gem with a beautiful waterfall – what’s not to love. THXS for another great blog.
Thank you Steve. A great hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Bookmarking this post. Hope to travel to Perth next year (subject to travel bubbles/covid situation) and spend there couple of days exploring the city and its surroundings!
If you make it over to Perth and need any help with ideas, let me know.
Hi Wendy. We like to see more and more places that are dog friendly and who doesn’t like a hike to a waterfall? I’d hike the trail for the view of Perth too.
It’s quite hard to find hikes that our dog-friendly in Perth as so many are in National Parks where dogs aren’t allowed.
Such a beautiful landscape and so close to the city! Looks like there is a great variety of trails too. I think I would love Perth with these fabulous hikes so accessible.
Perth is lucky to have some beautiful hikes but we need to wait for the cooler weather to do them.
What a stunning spot and how lucky to have it pretty much on the doorstep of Perth! Love a waterfall and this one looks like a really peaceful place.
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to make the most of what is around you.
How wonderful that you have such a scenic place to visit in your area! Lesmurdie Falls looks like a great spot to spend the day with family.
Lesmurdie is perfect for a family day out Alecia.