Armadale

Soak up the natural beauty of Armadale.

The scenic region of Armadale is within 40 minutes' drive of Perth City and offers a riot of activities for lovers of the great outdoors, with tree-cloaked hills, babbling brooks, blossom-laden orchards and nature walks. Start your day trip or overnight getaway by dropping into the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre to pick up free maps highlighting the 28 walk trails in the region. Stroll amid the trees near Wungong, Canning or Churchman Brook dams or why not enjoy the picnic areas and walk trails near the waters of Serpentine Falls.

Armadale's close proximity to Perth City means it's perfect for self-drive day trippers. But with so much on offer, you may wish to stay a little longer - there are plenty of gorgeous bed and breakfasts and quaint accommodation outlets dotted throughout the area that provide many an opportunity to soak up the region's charms.

Things to do in Armadale

• Visit Araluen Botanic Park for the magnificent gardens.
• Call into the Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum & the Armadale Outpost Telegraph Centre.
• Visit the Bodhinyana Monastery in Serpentine.
• Enjoy wine tasting on the Baldivis Wine Trail.
• Visit Waterway Gallery & Tearooms for the quality art & craft.
• Try a round of golf at the beautiful Araluen Golf Club.
• Walk along the picturesque walk trails and dams - booklet available at the visitor centre.
• Walk through the fruit orchards at Raeburn and Roleystone Orchards.
• Sample a variety of locally made cheese at Borrello or Mundella Cheese Factories.
• Experience one of the many great community events.

Armadale Hills Scenic Drive 

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty by driving along the new Armadale Hills Scenic Drive, which finds its way among the forest-clad hills and passes heritage attractions. You're bound to find a secluded hideaway along the way at which to enjoy a picnic amid the trees.

And when it comes to filling your picnic hamper, you'll find Armadale is blessed with an assortment of orchards and fresh produce store - think fresh peaches, plums, apricots, apples, cherries, oranges and avocados for a start.

Araluen Botanic Park 

On your travels, be sure to take the time to visit Araluen Botanical Park. For no visit to the region is complete without immersing yourself amid this fairytale world of flowers, mosses, streams and butterflies. Stroll around the enchanting gardens hand and hand with a loved one, take the family and picnic under the dappled sunlight streaming through the trees, or enjoy a cuppa and some lunch at the on-site tearooms with friends.

Sport and adventure 

The new Champion Lakes Regatta Centre is also well worth a visit while you're in the Armadale area. This state-of-the-art 55-hectare lake was purpose built for rowers. But it's not just about serious rowers - you can also swim here, canoe, laze upon a white sandy beach, have a picnic or barbecue, watch radio-controlled boats zoom across the waters, or cycle or walk around the trails that fringe the lake's shores.

Golf lovers are also in for a treat in Armadale with the swanky Araluen Golf Resort. This championship course is sprawled alongside State forest and the Canning River and offers large undulating greens, testing changes of elevation and strategically placed water hazards and bunkers. Even if you're not into golf, the spectacular setting and the stylish restaurant make this a worthy visit.

Attractions and heritage 

You're also bound to stumble across other treasures as you explore the picturesque region of Armadale. You'll find  art galleries tucked away amid the rolling hills, as well as the town centres of Kelmscott, Roleystone, Bedfordale and Forrestdale. Then there are places that make for treasured memories of family outings such as Armadale Reptile Centre and Cohunu Koala Park.

You can also get swept up in the romance of yesteryear at one of the region's many heritage attractions. You'll feel like you've stepped into a scene from 16th century England at the quaint Elizabethan Village, which comes complete with cottage gardens and a cosy English-style pub.

The Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum will also have you stepping back in time with its early 20th century engines and machinery. History House Municipal Museum showcases historical treasures and displays in the Minnawarra Park historical precinct and the Armadale Outpost Telegraph Centre provides examples of communications from times gone by.

Fresh produce and wine

While you're stocking up on fresh produce, be sure to take the kids on a tractor ride around Roleystone Orchard - an idyllic way to wile away an afternoon and indulge in good old-fashioned pleasures. Continue filling the picnic hamper by picking up fresh cheese from the Borrello or Mundella cheese factories and tantalise the tastebuds sampling the produce while you're at it.

For more picnic hamper goodies, why not visit the quirky stores at Brackenridge Village where you'll find an organic shop with all manner of organic produce grown round the region. And what picnic hamper is complete without wine? To stock up, simply head to Rocksgate Winery or set off on the Baldivis Wine Trail.