6 magical fairy door trails to discover around Perth and WA

By: Lisa Cook

Over the past few years, fairy door trails have been popping up around Perth and WA, inviting families to embark on magical adventures through forests, gardens and town centres.

Children are encouraged to don their favourite fairy outfit, pick up a magical map and follow their fae instincts to find tiny doors carefully crafted for little folk.

Let little imaginations and little feet run wild as you explore nature and uncover hidden fairy homes waiting to be discovered.

Here are six magical spots around WA to embark on your next fairy-finding adventure.

Fairy Door Quest, Armadale

Explore the parks and gardens of Armadale’s city centre on a mission to find magical fairy doors hidden for little minds to discover.

The fairy door creations, made by members of the Armadale Society of Artists, are tucked throughout the trail, with each one offering a tiny glimpse into the magical world of the fairies.

Your quest will take you through Minnawarra Park before ending at Memorial Park, where the fun can continue in the playground while parents enjoy a well-earned coffee.

For a very special fairy treat, pop into Armadale Park Café, spend over $10 and score a free babycino and fairy bread.

Grab a map from the Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre to begin your adventure.

Denmark Fairy Doors Trail, Denmark

Keep your eyes peeled in trees and behind bushes along one of WA’s favourite fairytale trails beside the Denmark River.

The adventure takes you along parts of the Mokare Heritage Trail, on both sides of the river, where you can uncover tiny doors made from fallen branches.

The fairy trail was first discovered in 2021 and has since become a much-loved activity for locals and visitors.

Each door has its own name, such as Luna’s Pink Door and Bo’s Wooden Door, and they’re maintained by mysterious fairy craftspeople who regularly undertake little renovations and restorations to keep the homes looking their most welcoming.

The full trail is around 3.8km, with fairy doors scattered along both sides of the river. Don’t be surprised to find a few doors that aren’t on the map either — it’s not uncommon for a new door to magically appear along the trail.

Pick up a fairy trail map nearby from Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park, Denmark Cottage Crafts or Kindfolk Coffee.

Kalamunda Fairy Door Trail, Kalamunda

How many fairy homes can you spot along this 2.7km trail through the beautiful Kalamunda town centre?

Start your adventure at the Perth Hills Kalamunda Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a map and tick off each tiny door you find.

Kalamunda’s first-ever fairy door appeared outside The Clip Joint on Haynes Street a few years ago. There are now more than 30 different fairy doors to discover, tucked along the main street, down laneways and even near the start of the Bibbulmun Track.

Grab a bite or coffee to refuel along the way, or come prepared for playtime and a picnic at Stirk Park, where you might even find a few more fairy homes beneath the trees.

The Kalamunda trail is a fun way to explore the local businesses and experience a little bit of magic while exploring the Perth Hills.

Waroona Fairy Door Trail & Magic Barn Fairy Garden, Waroona

Coined the Fairy Capital of Western Australia, Waroona is home to the State’s largest fairy door trail, thanks to the magical community behind it.

Just over an hour’s drive south of Perth, Waroona’s trail features 39 fairy doors hidden throughout the town centre and surrounds. There are also more than 300 kindness rocks hidden along the trail, so bring a freshly painted rock to add a little extra kindness to the adventure.

Sculpted and hand-painted by Magic Barn owner Brian Kent, the doors are gateways to exploring key spots around town, including Drakesbrook Weir, Pinjarra Bakery and the skatepark.

You may need to jump in the car at some points if you plan to tackle the full trail, especially when little legs start to get tired.

Once you’ve finished the trail, return your completed sheet to Magic Barn to claim a prize from the treasure chest.

The starting point of the trail is where the magic began: Magic Barn.

Here, children’s fairy fantasies are likely to come true, with a huge fairy garden and playground filled with more than 200 fairy displays.

Little visitors will discover much more than fairy doors, with fairy cubbies, a pirate’s cove, fairy castles and homes, miniature scenes and all kinds of magical setups made from recycled and repurposed materials, from trees to teacups.

Children can also paint a free fairy door, hunt for good luck stones and treasures, and see what other magical activities are available during their visit.

It’s free to visit and makes a great pit stop if you’re heading further south towards the Margaret River region.

Toasties, coffees, cake, ice cream and kids’ meals are available, so you can sit under the patio overlooking the gardens while the little ones explore.

Claughton Reserve Fairy Trail, Bayswater

Creative play is highly encouraged on this colourful fairy trail beside the Swan River.

Designed as part of a redevelopment of the playspace, the magical path winds through the reserve, where you’ll find tiny doors, windows, mushrooms and fairy houses hidden among the trees.

Once they’ve found all their fae friends’ homes, children can continue the adventure at the playground, with a climbing fort, swings and nature play to keep little legs busy.

Perth Observatory, Bickley

While most people visit Perth Observatory to wonder at the vast night sky, there’s something much smaller and closer to Earth that’s also worth looking for.

Perth Observatory’s mini fairy door trail was sparked straight out of a storybook. In 2021, the organisation released its children’s book, 'Out and About with Artemis at the Perth Observatory'. To celebrate, it held a Fairy Tea Party, with six special cosmic fairy doors created by volunteers and hidden around the Observatory grounds.

Those doors remain today, waiting to be discovered on fences, walls and tucked into crevices when families come to visit.

So while you’re looking up at the stars, keep your eyes down too, you never know when you might spot a little piece of fairy magic hiding nearby.