Eagle View Walk Trail
John Forrest National Park
Directions - The Eagle View Walk Trail is located within John Forrest National Park, a 40 minute drive from the centre of Perth. Make your way onto Roe Highway and take the Great Eastern Highway exit, heading east into the hills, until you reach the second Park Road turn on your left. Follow the signs all the way into the park and head towards the main parking area near the Ranger's Office. The trail head is located opposite the Ranger's Office, with information boards showing all the walks in the park.
The Hike - John Forrest National Park is the oldest national park in Western Australia, along with being arguably the most popular outdoor recreation spot near Perth. Located in the Darling Range east of Perth, this site was earmarked early on (1898) to be a place for visit the natural world, and has long since captured the imagination of visitors that want to escape the urban centre of Perth and explore the Jarrah and Wandoo forests that are found within the valleys, hills and flats of this region.
The Eagle View Walk Trail is the flagship trail within John Forrest National Park and was one of the first trails I added to the website over nine years ago. Since that time, the words did not change and although I added photos from 2016-17 visits, the page was always lacking compared to what I consider to be the standard these days (way more photos and lots of words to accompany them). Having facelifted other great walks within the Perth area like Kittys Gorge, the Echidna Trail, the King Jarrah Walk Trail and Mount Dale, the Eagle View Walk Trail for some reason had been delayed. That was until now. Although I had originally planned to visit in September, when the wildflower season of Djilba is in full swing, I had seen enough evidence that there was plenty of colour around in mid-August, along with an orchid species in bloom that I hadn't yet seen. Making plans for a sunny Saturday in August, I was really excited to head back to John Forrest National Park and explore a trail that I hadn't visited in six years.
With the park undergoing major renovations including the removal of the old pub, new mountain bike trails being added and a couple of tweaks to the walk trails, I was keen to check out the recently completed upgrades to the Eagle View Walk Trail that my podcast partner had reviewed in his recent video. Given the time between visits and the upgrades, this would pretty much be like hiking a new trail, and while I usually have a good memory when it comes to trails I've done, this certainly turned out to be the case. Arriving at the car park early on a Saturday morning, I was pleased to see there weren't too many cars here, mainly because the crowds don't tend to arrive until later in the day. With the old pub now demolished, there was a lot of fencing up around the construction area but that wouldn't be affecting my walk today.
While the pub was a feature of the park, it was a bit of a run-down old building that didn't really belong in a national park, and this area around Great Eastern Highway is not short on other pubs if that's what you want. Putting on my trail runners and grabbing all my gear, I had packed my tripod today, as I wanted to get some long exposure shots of the two main waterfalls along the trail. Heading down towards the start of the walk and the crossing of Jane Brook, I walked pass the new nature playground (no comment) and on towards the start of the Eagle View Walk Trail. Heading in a clockwise direction, the first major highlight of the trail was one of my favourite photos from the early days of the website, walking under Jane Brook Bridge. This solid structure of steel and concrete has a certain industrial charm to it, juxtaposed against the greenery of plant life growing along Jane Brook. Starting early in the morning means the lighting is never going to be the best for shooting the bridge in the direction you are walking but I made do with what I had.
Leaving the build up area behind, you follow a stretch of single trail that was lined with an assortment of wildflowers during my visit. Wanting to catalogue everything I saw for iNaturalist, along with showcasing it here, I snapped away at all the different species that included Fuchsia Grevillea, Couch Honeypot, Prickly Moses, Honeybush and Granite Petrophile, among many others. Off to a fantastic start, you gently amble along the edge of Jane Brook as you head through the forest towards the second big highlight of the trail, National Park Falls. Starting to see more exposed granite, the views open up, showing off the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail on the other side of the valley. A wide trail connects the Eagle View Walk Trail with the RRHT, with a bridge over Jane Brook near the top of the falls. To get the best views of the falls, you need to follow the steps down into the valley, where there is an old platform overlooking the falls (that they've tried to fence off rather than repair for whatever reason).
I grabbed the tripod out of my bag and quickly realised I'd been a numpty and not brought the allen key that takes the camera clip base off my camera, so I could screw in the tripod base. With no long exposure shots on the cards today, the tripod and ND filters I was carrying would now be useful in adding weight to my pack and getting my fitness up. Resorting to taking handheld shots and trying to keep my hands as steady as possible, it sort of worked but nowhere near what a proper setup would achieve. Snapping away at this lovely location was a nice consolation, and it's a shame that the way down here isn't better signposted for those who might not know to take the short detour. With plenty of photos taken, I ascended the stairs and had a look around the top of the falls, spotting my first orchid of the hike, a Blue Fairy Orchid nestled in some moss. Excited by this early find, I headed back onto the trail and had a decision to make.
From this spot there used to be two distinct routes you could take, continue following Jane Brook and have a steep ascent to the Eagle View Lookout, or a gentler climb up the ridge, with nice views over the valley. Officially the trail follows the ridge, so in the interests of doing the official trail, I decided to take that option. This turned out to be a great decision, as the views overlooking the valley were stunning, and perfectly lit thanks to having the sun over my right shoulder the whole time. With a fantastic mix of granite boulders, Grass Trees, open sections, Wandoo Woodlands and masses of wildflowers and orchids, this was an enjoyable stretch of walking that made me wonder why it took me so long to return. Some of the floral finds along here included Pincushion Coneflower, Devils Pins, Isopogon asper and Catkin Grevillea. Eventually reaching the turn in the trail that marks a departure from the valley, the next stop was the Eagle View Lookout.
After walking through a short section of thick undergrowth, I popped out at the first of two clumpings of granite boulders that provide views over the Swan Coastal Plain. This first bit of granite is my favourite of the two sections but this part of the trail is one of my least favourite. The reason for this is I've never really seen the appeal of views looking west from the Darling Scarp. Here are some views of industrial wasteland and a mass of buildings (the Perth CBD) that most people don't enjoy going to, and the reason they're out here is to disconnect from that part of their life. Add in the amount of weeds that are found around here, and I only stayed long enough to snap a few photos and take off my jumper. The second spot is much the same but a little bigger but did contain a colony of Tribonanthes (white star shaped flower) hiding on the other side of one of the bigger boulders. Heading east from here, it wasn't long until I had reached the first of the realigned sections of the trail.
While I didn't really think there was anything wrong with the old alignment from memory, this new bit of trail was a really enjoyable part of the trail that just kind of meanders around granite outcrops (a big plus in my book). Walking downhill, it's a nice change as you navigate rocky steps, slice between granite boulders and stare out over the low heath plains in front of you. Unfortunately for this time of the morning, you're staring into the glare of the sun and the wide angle photos don't showcase what it really looks like. To get around this, I got creative with my shooting angles, narrowing up the field of view and shooting behind me rather than in front, which I don't always like to do as that's not normally where you're looking on a trail. Spotting new wildflowers as I walked along, the count of different species was getting quite high, as I found Graceful Honeymyrtle, Boronia, Winged Stackhousia, Verticordia and Lemon-scented Darwinia.
Reaching a management track where you join back onto the old alignment again, the increase in weeds, mainly Watsonia, I think may have been the catalyst behind the realignment. It's not pleasant to walk through if you're aware they are weeds but thankfully they don't last too long, eventually petering out as you climb up another hill. Spotting new wildflower species continued, as different varieties kept appearing right along the edge of the trail. Occasionally there would be a little flat part just off the trail, with mosses near bits of exposed granite providing a home for the unique flora (please don't step on the delicate moss anywhere along this trail). After spotting some False Boronia and White Myrtle, I was bending down to inspect a Swamp Rainbow Sundew when I caught a glimpse of yellow out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough, there were a few tiny flowers that had not quite opened up, being early season Lemon-scented Sun Orchids.
I had not been expecting these little beauties on my travels today, as I've only ever seen them in September/October time in the south of WA. Excited by all the really cool finds I had seen already, I was keen to explore further and soak in what makes Western Australia one of the best places in the world for nature enthusiasts. At the top of another small rise, I encountered my first Winter Donkey Orchid of the season, the first of many to come along the rest of the trail. Add in the only Granny Bonnets I saw today, and some One-Sided Bottlebrush, and I was thinking that I'd be lucky to be home by sunset at the slow rate I was walking. Turning a corner and heading downhill once again, this next stretch is one I remembered with fondness from my previous visits. The single trail above the creek was flush with wildflowers, providing a vibrant array of colours that could be seen from a distance. Masses of Granite Petrophile and Two-leaf Hakea through here just add a special touch to the natural beauty of the valley, granite and cropping of trees.
After this really scenic section of single trail (say that five times), you eventually pop out onto a wider management track. Finding a bit of shade, I thought this would be a good time to stop for a sunscreen application, now it was getting back into that time of year where this is necessary. Not far up ahead is the crossing of Christmas Tree Creek that has a section of exposed granite, complete with mini-rapids. I remember this spot well as one we stopped at back in 2016, during a time where I led group hikes for fun. I thought back to the people who attended that hike and wondered what they were up to now. I stopped long enough to take some photos but the lighting looking up the rapids wasn't ideal, so I kept moving. This point marks the start of a 2.5km climb that is pretty gentle and shouldn't worry most hikers that are fit enough to walk the 17km distance required on this trail. Take a moment as you leave the creek to admire the surrounding granite outcrops and Grass Trees that dot the nearby hills.
It's a wonderful little valley that you soon leave behind, as the climbing starts and you enter the second phase of the hike through the Wandoo Woodland and Jarrah Forest. Now heading north, you follow the edge of the creek for a while, before it disappears to the right and you continue up the hill. After crossing a vehicle track, I had a laugh at the super helpful prescribed burns signs that DBCA litter the forest with, providing no information other than a phone number. Walking along narrower single trail, this new landscape was a welcome addition, and given how much I'd found on the first seven kilometres, I was keen to see what else I could discover on the remaining ten. As I was sprawled out over the trail trying to photograph the fungi in the above gallery, a trail runner came whizzing past, so I had to scramble quickly to make room, much to the laughter of both of us. As the climb continued, the wind started picking up as I was now more exposed to the stronger than typical easterly breeze that was blowing today.
The wind had been playing havoc with photographing the wildflowers and it was a game of patiently waiting for the flowers to stop swaying long enough to get a quick snap in. Soldiering on with this most severe of hardships, I came across my first Swan River Myrtle of the hike, a fluffy pink flower I always enjoy seeing. High up on the ridge of the hill, the views looking east were a little bit whimsical, with the seemingly never-ending forests extending eastwards as far as the eye could see. Of course, right over the hill are houses and lots of cleared land but one can imagine. There are a couple of small lookouts along this stretch, where you get clearer views and can stop to admire the scenery. Having being passed by a number of hikers and trail runners up until this point, I seemed to be the only person not in a rush. I was happy in my own little world and really enjoyed the single trail along this section, even more so when I reached a thicket of Parrot Bush and then She-Oaks.
Two of my favourite species, each provide a much different experience, with the Parrot Bush being sharp and prickly, while the She-Oaks have a softer texture, often laying a carpet of soft needles on the trail. Reaching the end of the single trail heading north, I popped out onto the vehicle track that leads east and downhill once again. After photographing a characterful old Jarrah Tree, I started the descent, reveling in the lovely scenery either side of the track. New wildflowers appeared on both sides, with a Prickly Hakea sighting right before a Grey Fantail popped out onto the track and did a little dance in a nearby puddle. Spotting a Scented Banjine not long after, I always have a laugh at these flowers that always look like they can't hold the weight of their own mass. The forest around here continued to be highly enjoyable, with several mature trees providing focal points to admire as you meander along. Reaching the bottom of the hill, you make a right turn and follow Christmas Tree Creek that you crossed earlier, this time walking in the opposite direction.
After a few hundred metres, you take a left turn and cross that same creek for the final time, with the view of the Wandoo ahead providing a nice scene. The Wandoo will be your home for the next part of the journey and I love these golden trunked beauties, as they are really photogenic in most conditions. After a bit of a chicane near another creek, you pass a big thicc boi Wandoo, before crossing the creek and heading up the hill. This is another spot where they've realigned the trail, and before coming here I was a bit skeptical about this section being realigned. It has always been a favourite section of mine as you passed some lovely old Wandoo Trees, and climbed up to another lookout that I rated much better than the Eagle View Lookout. Keen to see where the trail now went, and whether or not it was an improvement, I kept an open mind as the single trail wound its way up the hill. My initial impressions were positive and the quality of the forest through here is some of the best of the entire trail. DBCA have done a good job, and when I reached the end of the realignment, I didn't really feel the need to do the side trip to the old lookout that I originally thought I might want to do.
Highlights along the new alignment included plenty of Grass Trees, quality forest with lots of mature trees, and the continuation of the excellent wildflowers that I'd seen prior to this point. It was also nice to see a Little Pink Fairy Orchid growing in a patch of pea gravel just off the trail, another first of the season. Letting a couple of ladies past so I didn't hold them up photographing wildflowers all the time, this next stretch would be where I was on full alert for an orchid that I knew was in flower and found in this area, the Bird Orchid. My slow pace and constant scanning of the undergrowth paid off with two other orchid sightings, a Small Flowered Donkey Orchid and a Red-banded Greenhood, but I really wanted to see a Bird Orchid. Walking along, I was mindful to keep enjoying the excellent scenery, that was really top notch thanks to golden Wandoo trunks and masses of flowering Wattle everywhere. Then I spotted something, a flash of green that on closer inspection was the shape of a tiny green bird on top of a blade of grass. Getting down on all fours, I starting photographing away, then scanned the forest floor for more examples. Sure enough, there was a better one that had fully opened not too far away (see above gallery) and I had ticked off a little side quest of the hike.
Joyous at having sighted one, another couple soon arrived on the scene but weren't nearly as impressed as I thought someone might be when I pointed it out to them. After letting them get a little ahead, I continued on myself and could get back to focusing on enjoying the wider trail, which continued to be excellent. Crossing another vehicle track, you walk along another realignment that means you don't have a long continuous section of vehicle track walking that was a fair criticism of the final third of this hike before. Gently descending through the forest, the open nature of the undergrowth made for a pleasant section of walking, along with you guessed it, more wildflowers. Eventually you do reach the old section and follow a vehicle track but as I've said a few times in the past, sometimes a bit of wider trail is a good thing, especially when there are some mature trees to admire. This is the case through here and given there isn't endless kilometres on vehicle tracks to finish the track, it feels less like you're walking on them for convenience. After 700 metres you are back on newly constructed single trail, as you descend down a steeper section of the hill via a series of switchbacks. Here I noticed a couple of people stopped on the side of the trail with one of them on his knees and looking into the undergrowth. This could only mean one thing to me, something interesting was next to the trail.
When I arrived, sure enough there was a series of Bird Orchids that the man was trying to get a photo of. I struck up a conversation with this couple, who were over from Queensland and were loving the wildflowers and orchids they had found so far. We talked about their travel plans, I suggested several places to visit while they were here, and helped out with some wildflower identification where I could. It was a wholesome conversation between fellow wildflower enthusiasts that brought a bit more joy to my day. They headed off while I stayed to photograph the Bird Orchids, being passed by several more groups that probably wondered what I was doing on the ground. The final highlight of the trail is not long after the end of the single trail, with Hovea Falls a quick side trip off the main trail. It would be nice if it was better marked and one set path determined as there are a few goat tracks around the area. When I arrived at the falls it was a typical scene you see in recent times with lots of people wandering around and some idiot with their drone out, flying right over peoples heads. I didn't linger too long, making my way back to the main trail that eventually joins the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail as it heads past the main area. I chose to finish my hike by going over Jane Brook Bridge and then taking a left to get back to the car park, but you can exit before then and cross over the same bridge you used on the way out. Hike over, I retreated back to my car and mused over what had been a fun morning.
Final Thoughts - With such a long time between drinks, this really did feel like I was hiking a brand new trail at times, even in places where it wasn't actually a brand new piece of trail.
John Forrest National Park is in the middle of a long overdue refresh of both facilities and trails, and while I don't agree with some of the development focus, it's nice that there will soon be mountain bike trails in the park.
The upgrades to the Eagle View Walk Trail were well received on my hike, and certainly add to the experience, especially in the final third of the route. I hope there are more funds coming in the future to fix things like the National Park Falls Lookout and to deal with the weed problem that plagues some areas of the park.
As one of the most popular hikes in Perth, it certainly has improved to the point where it feels like a complete trail from start to finish. Visit during wildflower season and it becomes a pretty special place that would be the envy of most capital cities in Australia.
While I may have gone a bit overboard with the photos, and subsequently the writing, I think that's just a reflection of what a great time I had out there and how much I wanted to showcase this walk as best I can.
Enjoy, and I hope you have as much fun as I did on the Eagle View Walk Trail.
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