Serpentine Falls Day Trip, Serpentine National Park, WA

A day trip to Serpentine National Park is a day to remember. Whether you visit to picnic, swim, bushwalk or all three Serpentine National Park offers something for everyone.

Just 60 kms from Perth, the Serpentine National Park is easily accessed from the city. Mandurah is just 35 minutes or so away.





Get there early as this park is well patronized - around 80,000 visitors each year. In summer months park gates are closed if capacity is reached, There is an admission fee of $12.00 per car with concessions available for pensioners and students. Leave your money in the honesty box if the post is not attended by a ranger. Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm daily.

The fee generally includes the park brochure but it is not uncommon for these to run out. Fortunately the signage of the tracks is relatively good at Serpentine so a park brochure is not essential.

Resident Kangaroos at Serpentine National Park Picnic Area

Visiting the Serpentine National Park takes some prior planning. Make sure you bring your own food and plenty of water as there is no kiosk. Sunscreen and a hat are musts particularly if you are intending to hike one of the parks walking trails. Public toilets are provided.

Next to the main carpark there are plenty of places to picnic under shady trees. A resident group of kangaroos sheltering from the midday sun congregate around the many BBQ's and picnic tables. Feeding the kangaroos within the park is strictly forbidden as this can lead to dependency and animal health issues.

Barbecues in Picnic Area for Park Patrons, Serpentine National Park

There are three bushwalks within the park. Even if you are not into hiking at the very least take the short stroll to the Serpentine Falls to stretch your legs and to cool off on a hot day. For the longer hikes you will need a good stanard of fitness, Ensure you are carrying enough water and a first aid kit. Remember to time your trip so that you are back at your car by no later than 4.45pm as park gate closing is punctual.

1. Serpentine Falls Walk Trail (Class 1 Walking Trail)
   Serpentine Falls is just 500 metres return along an easy Class 1 track with wheelchair access. Take your swimming costume for a refreshing swim in the waterhole at the base of the waterfall. There isn't really anywhere to change easily at the Serpentine Falls so put your bathers on before you leave the carpark.
   
   

   

   Easy Class 1 Track Leads to Serpentine Falls, Serpentine National Park

   
   The track comes to an end at the Serpentine Falls. There is a railing with steps leading down to the water's edge. There are also several viewing platforms and vantage points. Serpentine Falls offers a great photo opportunity for the keen photographer.
   
   
   

   

   Swimming at Serpentine Falls, Serpentine National Park

   
   At the Serpentine Falls the cliffs can be scaled in places for diving off although these are slippery in places and extreme care is needed. Several accidents have claimed lives recently highlighting how easy it is to lose balance and fall. Consumption of alcohol at the Falls is strictly forbidden and is enforced by park rangers.


2. Kitty's Gorge Walk (Class 4 Walking Trail)
   Listed as one of 30 top bushwalking trails in Western Australia, Kitty's Gorge Walk is worth the 11 km walk each way. The walk is rated medium and does require a good standard of walking fitness. Those who complete the track are rewarded with rocky granite outcrops, waterfalls, secluded swimming holes, historic mud cottages, wildflowers, wildlife and views above the gorge. Bushwalker information on the Kitty's Gorge Walk







Walking Trail Sign Serpentine National Park



3. Baldwin's Bluff (Class 4 Walking Trail)
   The Baldwin's Bluff track affords spectacular views of the Serpentine Falls and up the valley. The trail leads to a prominent ridge southwest of the Serpentine Falls and is approximately 6 km's return and takes about 2 hours.

Useful Links

Parks and Wildlife of Western Australia

Serpentine National Park Guide

Serpentine National Park  Flora and Fauna Guide
Australian Walk Classification Standards

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Ten Top Things to Do in Kalgoorlie and Boulder

If you are planning a trip to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia use this handy list of top things to do in Kalgoorlie and Boulder to help you save time finding the best attractions and places to visit.



The twin city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is Australia's largest Outback City with a population of around 30,000. The history of the gold rush years, bordellos and historic buildings are just some of the tourist attractions that draw visitors to these gold mining towns.

Getting around the top attractions of Kalgoorlie and Boulder is easiest when you have your own vehicle. If not most tourists spots are within a 20 km radius.

A stay of 2 to 3 days in Kalgoorlie or Boulder will allow you to get around all the attractions easily.

1. Kalgoorlie Township
   Stroll around the main street of Kalgoorlie to take in impressive historical buildings, pubs and hotels. Be sure to see the bronze statue of Paddy Hannon who is credited as the first person to discover gold in Kalgoorlie.
   
   

   

   Paddy Hannon Statue, Kalgoorlie 

   Prominent heritage buildings to look out for include the Kalgoorlie Town Hall built in 1908 with its sumptious Edwardian interior and impressive facade. Don't miss the government buildings including the old Post Office constructed of pink stone and dating back to 1899.
   
   Also while on Hannon Street go to St Barbara Square to see the lovely statue and fountain dedicated to Saint Barbara, who is recognised as the Patron Saint of Miners.
   
   On Hay Street you will find Kalgoorlie's notorious red light district and see the few remaining 'starting stalls' where working women would tout for business. You can view various themed rooms by taking the Langtrees 181 brothel tour or hear more about the history of the sex industry in Kalgoorlie at Questa Casa - the only original brothel left in Kalgoorlie from a total of 23 brothels at the beginning of the 20th century.
   
   

   

   Hay Street Brothel Kalgoorlie

2. The Superpit
   Head to the public lookout of the Superpit on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie for views of the largest open pit gold mining operation in Australia. The Superpit roughly 300 metres deep is so vast that massive dump trucks carrying ore out of the mine around the clock look like minatures. The Superpit is approximately 8 square kilometres and produces around 900,000 ounces of gold every year. Open daily between 7.00am to 9.00pm.
   
   Blasting Information: Public enquiry line on +61 8 9022 1100
   
   Tours: Independent tour company Finders Keepers Adventure Tours - (08) 9093 2222. Tours are run on Boulder Market Day on the third Sunday of every month
   

   

   Superpit, Kalgoorlie

3. Australian Prospectors and Mining Hall of Fame
   At the Mining Hall of Fame explore Kalgoorlie’s first gold mine now a tourist mine. Try your hand at panning for gold, watch a traditional gold pour demonstration and wander around old mining equipment and buildings. Don a hard hat and take one of two informative underground tours with retired miners, 36 metres below ground. Open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
   
   Where: Goldfields Highway, Kalgoorlie. Phone +61 8 9026 2700
   

   

   Mining Tour, Kalgoorlie

4. Mt Charlotte Lookout
   A short walk to the top of the Mt Charlotte Reservoir affords uninterrupted 360 degree views of Kalgoorlie and surroundings. Mt Charlotte is the end point of the 563 kilometres of piped water (the brainchild of C.Y.O'Connor completed in 1903) from the Mundaring Weir in Perth to the Goldfields.
   

   

   Mt Charlotte Lockout. Kalgoorlie

5. Hammond Park
   If you are travelling with children Hammond Park is likely to be a hit. Hammond Park offers a large children's playground, a kiosk, an historic band rotunda, bird avaries, a pond, peacocks, emus and kangaroos. Be sure to take a BBQ or picnic lunch and enjoy one of the many shady spots around the park.
   
   
6. Boulder
   Stroll along Burt Street in the historic town of Boulder just a short drive from Kalgoorlie and take in one of the most significant historical streetscapes in Western Australia.
   
   
   Don't miss the Miner's Monument (miner holding an air leg drill) commemorating the death of over 1300 miners since the gold rush of the 1890's. Other significant buildings include the beautifully preserved Town Hall (corner of Burt and Lane Streets) which houses the rare Philip Goatcher Stage Curtain.
   
   If time permits visit the Goldfields War Museum (allow a couple of hours) to view the large collection of warfare memorabilia including a tank, gun carrier and cannon.
   
   Visit the Little Boulder Sweet Shop and be transported back in time with its many jars of confectionery and boiled sweets.
7. Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre
   Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre located at the Kalgoorlie airport. Several tours a day chronicle the history and operations of the Royal Flying Doctor service and include real life accounts of people who have used the service. Open weekdays 10am to 3pm. Minimal entry fee.
8. Ora Banda
   Drive out to Ora Banda (band of gold in Spanish), an historic pub, 65km north of Kalgoorlie. The restored pub serves hot food all day and has a lovely garden out the back to while away the afternoon.
   

   

   Pub Ora Banda

9. Karlkurla Bushland Park
   Karlkurla Bushland Park is only 4 kms and a 5 minute drive from the centre of Kalgoorlie. Karlkurla Bushland Park affords walking trails and a lookout within 200 hectares of regenerating bush. Take a stroll early morning or later in the day to discover the abundant birdlife and animals that inhabit the area. Karlkurla Bushland Park is home to such species as the Western Grey Kangaroo, Bobtail Lizard, Dragon Lizard, Pink and Grey Galahs and the Willy Wagtail.
   
   Where: Off Riverina Way, Kalgoorlie
   

   

   Karlkurla Bushland Park, Kalgoorlie



10. Kalgoorlie Arboretum
    The Kalgoorlie Arboretum, set in 26 hectares of bushland, provides some excellent shady spots under gum trees to picnic. Make use of the informative plaques to help identify plant and birdlife along the walking trails and around the small dam.

Extras that you might want to consider in your Kalgoorlie and Boulder itinerary are:

• Scenic Flight
  A 6 minute flight over the Super Pit and a 15 minute flight around the outskirts of the town are run by Jandakot Helicopter tours

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