In John Forrest National Park near Perth, Hovea Falls is best seen when there’s water flowing in winter or spring. The 2.3km Hovea Falls walk will take you there.
Hovea Falls in the John Forrest National Park, near Perth, is not your conventional waterfall. It doesn’t have the dramatic height of Wallaman Falls in the Girringun National Park, Queensland. It doesn’t have the force and water flow of Jim Jim Falls in the Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. And it doesn’t have the picturesque forest setting of Narracan Falls near Moe in Gippsland, Victoria.
The best time to see Hovea Falls, WA
However, Hovea Falls still manages to look rather cool. This is because the waterfall cascades along a series of rock slabs. The vertical drop isn’t all that impressive, but on a near-horizontal level, the flow of the water across several smoothed slabs looks pretty impressive.
Granted, it doesn’t look all that good after a dry spell, when Hovea Falls could reduce to little more than a trickle. But come after a decent spell of rain, and this Western Australian waterfall is worth looking at. Aim for winter or spring for the best time to see Hovea Falls.
5 great things to do in Perth
- 🚲 Take the ferry to Rottnest Island – then cycle to the beaches and quokkas.
- 🌌 Dine in the desert and go stargazing – on an evening Pinnacles tour.
- 🐬 Swim with wild dolphins – on a wildlife adventure to Rockingham.
- 🍷 Combine a Swan River cruise with wine-tasting in the Swan Valley.
- 🏟️ Go behind the scenes – on an Optus Stadium tour.
Drive from Perth to Hovea Falls
John Forrest National Park is the oldest national park in Western Australia. It’s in the Perth Hills just outside Perth, and a short diversion off the Great Eastern Highway.
You can easily drop by if driving from Perth to Northam, or Perth to Kalgoorlie. The drive from Perth to Hovea Falls should take around 41 minutes.
Hovea Falls walk
From the nearest car park, it’s an easy walk to Hovea Falls. The Hovea Falls Loop is about 2.3km long, and starts out following the considerably longer Eagle View Track. You then branch off down the Hovea Falls track, and watch the water flow down the sheet of granite.
For more information, visit the John Forrest National Park section of the WA Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Hovea Falls and John Forrest National Park: key visitor information
Entry fees are subject to change — always check the current rate on the Explore Parks WA website before visiting. A WA Park Pass covers entry fees and offers better value for visitors planning to visit multiple parks.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to enter John Forrest National Park? | Standard WA park entry fees apply per vehicle. Check the current fee at exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au. A WA Park Pass (holiday or annual) covers entry and may be better value for regular visitors. Entry is free if arriving on foot or by bicycle. |
| Where is John Forrest National Park? | Park Road, John Forrest WA 6076. Approximately 30km east of Perth, a short turn-off from the Great Eastern Highway. |
| How long does the drive from Perth to Hovea Falls take? | Around 30–40 minutes from central Perth by car. |
| How do you get to John Forrest National Park? | Take the Great Eastern Highway east from Perth towards Midland. Approximately 8km past Midland, follow the signs left onto Park Road into the park. There are three entrances; the main entrance on Park Road leads directly to the central picnic area and main car park. |
| How far is the walk from the car park to Hovea Falls? | The Hovea Falls Loop is approximately 2.3km. From the main picnic area, Hovea Falls is also accessible via a shorter 800m walk heading east. |
| Is the Hovea Falls walk suitable for children? | Yes. The walk is rated easy, with a well-formed track and gentle grades. |
| What facilities are at John Forrest National Park? | Electric barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and cultivated gardens of native plants are available at the main visitor area. There is no café or food outlet. |
| Is there parking at John Forrest National Park? | Yes. A large car park is located near the main picnic area and ranger’s office, including two accessible parking bays. Parking can be busy on weekends and during wildflower season. |
| Is John Forrest National Park accessible for wheelchair users? | Accessible parking bays and an accessible unisex toilet are available near the ranger’s office. A 20-metre sloping pathway leads to the main picnic area and waterside trail. |
| Is camping allowed at John Forrest National Park? | No. There are no camping facilities in the park. |
| Are dogs allowed at John Forrest National Park? | No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere in the park. |
| Are fires allowed at John Forrest National Park? | No. Open fires are prohibited. Electric barbecues are provided at the main picnic area. |
Things to do near Hovea Falls, John Forrest National Park
Swan View Tunnel – Within the same national park, this historic 1896 railway tunnel is one of the most photographed sites in the Perth Hills. Accessible via the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, it can be combined with a Hovea Falls visit in a single day.
Eagle View Walk Trail – The big hike of John Forrest National Park, this challenging 15km loop offers panoramic views of the Swan Coastal Plain, Wandoo forest and the park’s other waterfalls.
National Park Falls – Another waterfall within the park, accessible via the John Forrest Heritage Trail, offering a second waterfall stop on the same day as Hovea Falls.
Mundaring Weir – A short drive from the national park, this historic dam on the Helena River was completed in 1903 to supply water to the Kalgoorlie goldfields. The surrounding area is popular for walking, picnicking and birdwatching.
Perth Hills Discovery Centre, Kalamunda – Around 20 minutes from the national park, this centre offers displays on the ecology of the Perth Hills, with bushwalking tracks directly accessible from the town centre.
More Western Australia travel
Other Western Australia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical Perth beach guides: Plan a visit to Scarborough Beach, Cottesloe Beach or Coogee Beach.
- Quokkas by the beach on Rottnest Island.
- Practical tips for visiting the Caversham Wildlife Park.
- Why the Swan Valley is a perfect stopover.
- Guides to the top attractions in Fremantle: Including the Roundhouse, and the WA Shipwrecks Museum.
