Noble Falls

Noble Falls is a 3.6 km walk along Wooroloo Brook in the Perth Hills at Gidgegannup, about 50 km north east of Perth. It is easy, it is free, and the City of Swan, the land manager, allows dogs on lead, which is why it carries a reputation as one of the most dependable dog walks within reach of the city. The thing that decides your day is timing, because the falls only run properly after winter rain.

Leash status

On lead is the council's position, confirmed with the City of Swan, and it is worth noting that some trail guides describe the reserve as off-leash friendly under voice control. When the land manager's published policy and an aggregator disagree, go with the manager: carry the lead and use it unless signage says otherwise, particularly near the picnic and playground area at the car park end. Keep to the formed path regardless, both to protect the wildflower areas and because the ground either side erodes quickly. Bring bags and carry the waste out.

The walk

Trails WA puts the trail at 3.6 km and AllTrails at 3.7 km, about an hour at an easy grade on an unsealed path that follows the brook through jarrah and marri. The falls and rapids sit near the car park end, with a reserve full of birdlife beyond, and wildflowers come through in October. The pools below the rapids are the best paddling on the walk and also where the rock is slick, so let a keen swimmer in at the shallow gravel edges rather than off the ledges.

Water is the whole point of this walk and it is seasonal. From about June to September you get flowing water and a waterfall worth the drive; by late summer the brook is a chain of still pools and the falls are dry rock. Do not plan a hot day here on the assumption the dog can cool off in it, and carry water regardless, because stagnant summer pools are not drinking water. Snakes use the rocky, bush-fringed ground in the warm months.

Getting there and parking

Drive east along Toodyay Road and the reserve is signposted on the right just past the Gidgegannup townsite, 45 to 55 minutes from central Perth. Parking is free gravel directly off the road, with picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a kids playground on site. Public transport does not usefully reach here, so treat it as a car trip.

Pepsi: The falls only run after winter rain, so time it right and the rapids do all the entertaining. The tavern across the road does the rest.

Pair it with

Noble Falls Tavern sits directly across Toodyay Road and is the obvious stop afterwards, with dog-friendly outdoor areas. Two more Gidgegannup walks are close by: F.R. Berry Reserve Walk Trail along the same brook system. Down the hill, Swan View Fenced Dog Park is the nearest fenced run, and The Carriage at Mundaring makes a dog-friendly base for a weekend in the hills. Our guide to dog friendly trails in WA and the Gidgegannup destinations page list more.

When to go

June to September for water, October for wildflowers. Weekdays are quiet and Sunday mornings are the busiest, and the car park is small enough that arriving before 9.30am on a weekend genuinely matters. A wide path and a gentle grade suit nervous walkers and big runners alike.