This beautiful reserve is tucked away at the back of Gidgegannup on Wooroloo Brook. You can access it by turning off Toodyay Road onto Reen Road and travelling 8.5km to the reserve which will be on your left. There is a sign at the entrance to the reserve but it is angled so is easy to miss. The track in to the reserve is red dirt and single lane so you may have to pull over to pass another car on the short road in - easy with a sedan but perhaps more problematic in a 4WD.
There is parking at the small picnic area where there are also public toilets and a bush barbecue.
The trail starts further down the access road at the white boom gate where you will find trail marker 1. You can download a PDF map here which will keep you on track. The large puddle is easily negotiated with a metal walkway taking you safely around it before you get to the number 2 trail marker where the trail splits. Follow the trail to the right even though there is a no through road sign. This section is a there and back trail with several access points to Wooroloo Brook and it's beautiful rock formations and waterfalls.
The track is wide and clearly marked with large trail markers. Further along the trail gets a little hilly with some short climbs and the loose gravel can make it slippery so take care.
At trail marker 3 you can side trip to Wooroloo Brook by following a very narrow trail through the bushes (beware of ticks as you can't avoid brushing against the foliage). The brook is pretty but there are no rocky waterfalls so don't worry if you give this one a miss. Follow the arrow to continue on the main trail.
In late August the bush along the trail was covered in yellow, white and cream blooms. There were some long views down the valley before trail marker 4 which marks a side trip to a large flat round rock overlooking the brook. It might be tempting to sit here and take it all in but there is better to come!
Trail marker 5 is a little hidden in the bushes so if you miss it on the way out make sure you find it and take the side track to the brook on the return walk as it is worth it!
Head back on to the main track to the waterfall.
The final section includes a rocky slope so take care. At trail marker 8 you arrive at the end of the trail - look to your right and WOW! There are plenty of great spots to sit and take in the view of the rock pools and waterfalls but check for ants first!
Take some time to explore the moss and grasses surrounding the rocks at the end of the trail as there were some very delicate flowers here including sundews. Some of the flora found in this reserve is found nowhere else in the world!
Retracing our steps along the trail we took our time to look at the beautiful wildflowers along the way.
On returning to the crossroad at trail marker 2 we turned up the hill and walked the short loop trail through wandoo and jarrah forest back to the picnic grounds.
At one point it looks like this trail heads steeply up hill but when you get to Trail Marker 10 you realise that the main trail levels out and the steep bit is a side track.
The trail is 2.7km long and estimated to take 45 minutes to walk. It took us an hour including frequent stops for photos and a short rest at the end point to take in the views.
This is a great short trail for kids as it is quite remote and will appeal to their sense of adventure.
Pack a picnic to eat on the rocks overlooking the falls.
Reen Road, Reserve Road and Berry Road provide a scenic loop and are a classified flora trail. If you drive the loop you will also be able to stop at Noble Falls opposite the Noble Falls Tavern, along Toodyay Road, to hop out and have a look or go for another nature walk. You could also travel on to Lake Leschanaultia or to visit Toodyay.
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In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.
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