John Forrest National Park

John Forrest National Park is one of Perth's Oldest Conservation Sites, first listed in 1898 it was named as John Forrest National Park in 1947, (Sir John Forrest was an Explorer, Statesmen and was Premier of Western Australia between 1890 and 1901). It is a good starting point for many walk trails as well as mountain bike trails (approved trails only), there is 2 waterfalls and and old tunnel plus a variety of flora and fauna. The picnic area has barbecues, picnic tables and toilets with plenty of shade, there is a nice little walk around the banks of Jane Brook,

More information about John Forrest National Park can be found in the link below.
John Forrest National Park

 It is only a half hour drive from Perth and a great destination for a day trip, John Forrest Is also a part of the Family history on my wife's side not a direct line but more like a 2nd or 3rd Cousin a few generations ago.

We used to do a lot of day trips a few years ago, now we only go if time permits, the kids are a lot older now and some have sports and another work , I also are back on day shift instead of nights now, we had a lot more time back then.

   We spent a few hours the park had some thing to eat, and then went on one of the easy 2 km walk trail to the falls, other trails are the  Railway Trail which I think is 5 km return trip that takes you to an old tunnel, there is also the 15 km trail which takes you along some parts of the Darling Scarp with fantastic views, more information on the trail in the link above plus some Pamphlets to download or view.

Here is a few images from the our trip there

All images are copyright © 2011  Mark A. Gray all rights reserved

Serpentine Pipehead Dam and a quick stop at Serpentine Dam

 Today I went for another trip at the Pipehead dam and a short stop at Serpentine Dam Main Picnic Area, my main goal today is to try and get some photos of the Blue Fairy Wrens and other birds flying around. After arriving at the Pipehead Dam I did my usual walking around with the Camera taking a few photos and keeping an eye out for some of the wildlife around including wildflowers, there is still a few wildflowers round, but they are starting to die off for the year, there was a few birds around but failing to get most on camera, here is a few pics from the Pipehead Dam I managed to get some pics at least.

 

 

                I hopped back in the car and headed towards the main dam, I have done a few trips here recently, I had a quick walk around the main picnic area then headed for home, I managed to get a half decent Photo of a fairy wren this time.

 

 

All Images are Copyright Mark A. Gray – All rights reserved.

Serpentine PipeheaDam, Munda Biddi trail, Blue Rock

Today I did something a little different still visited some regular spots but I had my bike in the car today, after visiting the Serpentine Pipehead Dam looking for Blue wrens I stopped at the Jarrahdale POW camp had something to eat and grabbed the bike for a short ride down the Munda Biddi Trail, heading towards Jarrahdale I rode about 5km and headed back to the car and drove towards Blue Rock.

         My first stop was Serpentine Pipehead Dam where I had a bit of a wander around looking for Blue Wrens, I did come across a couple of them but were a fair distance away from me, I managed to snap some other shots on the way around though.

 

 

          I hopped back in the car and headed back  towards Jarrahdale POW camp where I parked up had something to eat and went for a ride I didn’t wander around the camp this time, the ride along the Munda Biddi trail was a fairly easy ride going back towards Jarrahdale I believe the other way is a bit more challenging, there wasn’t much to see along this part I was hoping to see some wildflowers or birds or maybe a kangaroo or two. So, after heading back to the car and loading up, I went towards blue rock, it had rained recently I spotted a little stream along the way that was flowing so I stopped for a couple of shots and headed off again.

 

 

           My last stop of the day as a quick stop at Blue Rock for some pictures as I mentioned before it had rained recently so I was hoping to find some rock pools on the rock.

 

 

I stayed for a little while had a walk around the rock and headed off for home.

 

All Images are Copyright Mark A. Gray – All rights reserved