11 of Perth's most scenic lookouts

With two river systems snaking their way from the ocean deep into inland areas and bounded by the Darling Scarp to the east, Perth is surrounded by pretty vistas. Nature weaves its way through even the most urban of areas, and there are ample vantage points you can visit to take it all in. Ocean, bush, river, or city skyline: you can see Perth from all angles at these scenic lookouts.

1. Wireless Hill Park Lookout

Almondbury Road, Booragoon

The highest point at Wireless Hill Park, a 15-minute drive from the city, has served many purposes over the years. It was once an important lookout and smoke signal site for the Whadjuk Noongar people, and it played host to an international telecommunications mast during the First and Second World War. It’s now a recreational reserve that includes a museum site, and a scenic lookout.

You can drive right up to the summit of the hill and climb to the top of the observational tower for incredible views over Perth city and the Swan River; there’s parking available on Telefunken Drive. There’s also a shady picnic area with barbecues, picnic tables and shelters, public toilets (accessible toilets are available), and a playground (also accessible) at the summit, as well as a museum dedicated to the park’s telecommunications history. There are three bush walking trails extending out from this area, too, each between 700m and 3km in length. Come spring, these trails are wildflower hotspots.

2. Shelley Beach Park

Riverton Drive, Shelley

Stop anywhere along Shelley Beach Park and foreshore, between Watersby Crescent and Beatrice Avenue, and you’ll have an excellent line of sight over the Canning River. The scene is prettiest at dusk when the sky turns pink and purple, and the residences on the opposite bank glitter with light. In the distance, you can even see the twinkling city skyline. Walk out onto the timber jetty for the view, or use it as a focal point for your landscape photos.

There are a handful of roadside parking bays and public toilets (with accessible stalls) at the foreshore, and a new multigenerational playground will be open and operational by the end of 2024. While construction is ongoing, there may be limited access to the parking bays.

3. Zig Zag Lookout

Zig Zag Scenic Drive, Gooseberry Hill

Back and forth your way through Beelu National Park’s Zig Zag Scenic Drive switchbacks for an unbeatable panorama of the wider Swan Coastal Plain. The narrow, one-way road winds its way down the western side of the Darling Range, and on a clear day, the city skyline and the coast are visible in the distance. It’s a particularly beautiful sight in the early morning light or red glow of sunset.

You can choose to walk or cycle down at any time of day, but the road is only open to cars from 11:00am to 8:30pm. Outside those hours, you can park in the small parking lot at the top of the drive and walk down to any of the multiple viewpoints along the road.

4. Reabold Hill Summit Lookout

Scenic Drive, City Beach

At 85m above sea level, City Beach’s Reabold Hill Summit Lookout is officially the highest natural point along the metro Swan Coastal Plain. From the top, you can see the Indian Ocean and Rottnest Island out to the west, and Kings Park, Perth’s CBD, and the Darling Scarp to the east.

To reach the summit, follow the 200m raised and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk off the Reabold Hill Carpark on Scenic Drive (ACROD parking bays are available). There are interpretive signs along the way, as well as seating and timber landing lookout points for short breaks. For a more strenuous walk, head out on the 15 kilometres of trail that weave through the surrounding natural bushland.

5. Manning Park Stairs and Lookout

97 Davilak Avenue, Hamilton Hill

If the Whitfords Nodes Viewing Tower is the ‘Jacob’s Ladder of the North’, the Manning Park Stairs and Lookout is the ‘Jacob’s Ladder of the South’. The 192 stairs climb the side of the Manning Ridge at Manning Park Reserve, arriving at two lookouts overlooking the Darling Scarp, Cockburn Sound, and the historic Davilak House ruins.

Steep climb aside, the lookouts are easy to access, with the stairs starting right at the edge of the southern carpark. Once at the top, you can extend your walk through the reserve by taking the 1.9km Davilak Heritage Trail. The stairs make up the first portion of the trail, which winds through bushland to emerge at the Azelia Ley Homestead, a heritage-listed residence and museum.

6. Kaarta Gar-up Lookout

Fraser Avenue, Kings Park

Initially constructed for Main Roads WA to keep an eye on the progress of the Narrows Interchange construction in 1967, the Kaarta Gar-up lookout in Kings Park is still one of the best outlooks over the Perth CBD, the Swan River, and the Canning River. From it, you can watch the streams of traffic snaking across the Narrows Bridge and follow the wakes of boats making their way up the river.

The lookout sits at the highest point of Kings Park along Fraser Avenue, a five-minute walk along wide, paved paths from Frasers Restaurant and the large Whadjuk carpark. Though there are no amenities in the lookout’s direct vicinity, you can find a public bathroom (with accessible toilets), a cafe, and a gift store by the carpark. There are also barbecues, picnic shelters, and more bathrooms off nearby Kattidj Close.

7. Bilya Kard Boodja Lookout

Tanunda Drive, Rivervale

Rivervale’s Bilya Kard Boodja Lookout sits high on the banks of a river bend on the Swan River. It looks out on the river, CBD, and Optus Stadium to the west and the Darling Scarp to the east. Parking is plentiful in a large carpark off Tanunda Drive (near the Red Cray restaurant). There is also a picturesque riverside path to follow and plenty of shady trees beneath which to lay out a picnic blanket, but there aren’t any access to public toilets or barbeques.

The lookout site is culturally significant to the Whadjuk Noongar people, and many of the reserve's design choices reflect their culture and beliefs. In the park, there’s a sculpture of Moorn Barndi (black bream), an important totem of the river and part of Whadjuk Noongar culture. The colours around it represent the Noongar six seasons, explained further on the information tiles beneath it.

8. Lions Lookout

Welshpool Road East, Lesmurdie

The best reward for completing a demanding walk is a spectacular view. Reach Lions Lookout in Lesmurdie’s Korung National Park, and all the steep climbs and loose, gravelly descents on the 4km, grade 4 trail will have been worth it. From the summit, you can see back out over Bickley Reservoir and right down to the tiny city skyline in the distance.

The trailhead starts at the southern end of the car park off Welshpool Road East. There’s a small barbeque area there, too, with shaded picnic tables and benches, though it’s not the best spot to sit and eat during summer when it’s dry and dusty. Early spring is one of the better times to visit, with the weather being more favourable to hiking and the wildflowers blossoming in the jarrah forest undergrowth.

9. Whitfords Nodes Viewing Tower

Whitfords Aveue, Hillarys

Whitfords Nodes Viewing Tower is nicknamed the ‘Jacob’s Ladder of the North’ as climbing the 145 steps is as much a physical workout as it is a means to a great view. Starting at the mixed-use Whitford Nodes parklands, the staircase makes its way 22m up to the top of the dunes. There are multiple landings to break up the climb and give you a moment to stop and catch your breath.

Don’t forget to bring a camera, because when you make it to the very top, there’s a photo-worthy panorama of the northern beaches’ coastline and Hillarys Boat Harbour just to the south.

The site also has a playground, public restrooms (with accessible toilets), undercover picnic tables, barbeques, drink fountains, and an outdoor callisthenics gym.

10. Golden View Lookout

Paulls Valley

South Ledge picnic area in Beelu National Park is a peaceful place to lunch, surrounded and shaded by lush jarrah and marri forest. In spring, wildflowers bloom, punctuating the native undergrowth with colour. A leisurely 400m looped walk through the bushland will get you from South Ledge to the Golden View Lookout at Mundaring Weir, a fabulous photo stop for landscape photography enthusiasts. Enjoy the sweeping views of Lake CY O’Connor, Mundaring Weir, and the Helena River Valley.

It’s free to enter this national park. So far as amenities go, there’s not much around, but there is a gravel carpark and public toilets just nearby.

11. Bay View Lookout

Bayview Terrace, Mosman Park

The Bay View Lookout in Mosman Park’s Bay View Park is, arguably, one of the best views of the Swan River in all of Perth. Elevated high above the water, you can see across the widest part of the river and through to the Perth Hills in the distance. Visit at dawn for photos of the sun rising over the hills or at sunset for pictures of the moored boats below, cast in golden light.

Bring a picnic, and you can throw a blanket beneath the big, shady trees to enjoy the vista. There’s a parking lot nearby (with one ACROD bay), a barbecue, and a playground to keep little ones entertained.