Bells Rapids near Perth Western Australia is a popular spot for both visitors and locals for good reason!
It’s a beautiful section of the Swan River with dramatic boulders creating a white water section, with a long wooden bridge overtop.
Depending on what time of the year you visit, you’ll see either a raging river with the water pounding over the rocks of the falls or a completely dry riverbed with an ‘interesting’ odour. It’s still beautiful though and absolutely worth a visit whatever the weather.
Where is Bells Rapids?
DIRECTIONS: Cathedral Ave, Brigadoon WA 6069
A short road trip of 33 km (around 45 minutes) northeast of Perth CBD.
Turning off the approach road (Cathedral Avenue), you reach a single dirt track that takes you downhill towards the river. The track is well-compacted and shouldn’t need a 4WD.
There are a few, small parking spots along the route, but the main parking is amongst the trees near the public toilet, and as continue past the public toilet block to the right.
Things to do at Bells Rapids
Hiking
There are two bush hiking trails around the area, both start in the car park and cross the bridge to set off. It’s worth noting that the walk from the car park to the bridge has a steep descent and is gravely in patches, choose your footwear wisely.
See a map for both trails here.
Picnics
There are plenty of shady areas around to set up with a picnic blanket, and it’s usually not busy so finding a quiet spot isn’t a problem.
There isn’t much around for picking up forgotten supplies, the nearest supermarket is an IGA 15 minutes away in Aveley so pack well.
Bells Rapids With Kids
This is a great place to come with kids, but there are some important things to bear in mind…
The easier River Walk trail is possible with a fairly rugged buggy and an experienced driver, but the path from the car park to the bridge is steep and rocky and unfortunately, there’s no other way down.
The area near the toilet block is the go-to picnic area, and with lots of small dirt hills, it’s a fun spot for any budding mountain bikers.
The bridge is fun for some intense games of Pooh-sticks when the water’s up, but it’s not the safest of areas for little kids – definitely one of those ‘keep them at arms reach’ locations.
Looking for inspiration for outdoor activities for kids around Perth? see the guide to Perth’s Top Family Beaches!
Dog Walking
A rare find in Perth! Somewhere with decent hiking trails that are also dog-friendly.
Signage around will let you know where the off-lead areas are but if your dog’s a bit of a liability, bear in mind there’s a lot of wildlife around that could get your pooch (and you) into trouble.
Mountain Biking
Although there are no ‘official’ mountain bike trails around, there are 14 unsanctioned routes, several of which are black, so saddle up for a cheek-clenchingly good ride
Drone Flying
My personal favourite spot around Perth to fly a drone. When the rapids are on form it’s really easy to get some dramatic footage, with the bridge cutting across to add in even more visual interest.
If you’re lucky you’ll catch a kayaker or two taking on the white water or spot a kangaroo chillin’ in the bush.
Facilities
There is a toilet block next to the car park, it’s never clean, it is what it is.
There are no picnic tables or BBQ facilities. Bins are dotted around the area.
Although there are no permanent food or drink outlets, food trucks can occasionally be found around the car park area, especially over long holiday weekends or event days.
Wildlife
Bells Rapids is a fantastic spot for nature lovers. July to November is the most colourful time to visit as the wildflowers are out in abundance.
Animals in the area include rare black cockatoos, ring-necked parrots, bats, bandicoots, grey kangaroos, lizards, frogs and snakes.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Bells Rapids is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The lower car parks are sometimes closed off during total fire bans but there is still limited parking at the top of the dirt track leading down the hill.
In Perth’s dry hot Summers (Dec – Feb) and through Autumn (Mar – May) Bells Rapids will dry up almost completely. The riverbed is left with boulders of all sizes and the odd pool of water that can smell a little funky.
People love scrambling over the boulders but be cautious, accidents can and do happen regularly.
The water starts properly flowing around July and August. See the river at its most fierce after several days of rain, well into late Winter (Jun – Aug) and Spring (Sep – Nov).
The whole area is beautiful year-round, with rust-coloured dirt through the dry months, and an explosion of greenery and colour through the wetter months.
Events at Bells Rapids
The annual Avon Descent (an intense 2-day, 124 km river race) passes through Bells Rapids. It’s the last great obstacle in the event and is a fantastic place to watch the competitors pick their way through the white waterfalls.
The event usually runs mid-August and includes festivals with music, food and activities for spectators over the weekend from the starting location in Northam, along the route to the finish line in Bayswater.
If trail running is your thing, check out the Jolly Jumbuck events by Perth Trail Series. With three courses ranging from 6 km to 20 km weaving around Bells Rapids, and of course, crossing the iconic bridge. It will be a memorable and challenging event for sure!