Head east from Perth to the hills and bushlands of the Darling Ranges – home to Western Australia’s first conservation area, John Forrest National Park. The Great Eastern Highway will get you there in approximately 45 minutes for a morning walk among the jarrah and marri, flooded gums and paperbark trees, to striking granite outcrops and waterfalls. Look out for Banksia, wattles, Hakeas, grevilleas, Dryandra, pimelea, myrtles, triggerplants, kangaroo paws and blue Leschenaultia. From here, you’re within easy reach of many more national parks and reserves in the picturesque Perth Hills area, where you can picnic or lunch at a café, tavern or restaurant. Take your pick from Lake Leschenaultia, Mundaring Weir, Kalamunda National Park and Lesmurdie Falls National Park. A little further to the south, near Martin, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is home to more than 550 wildflower varieties and 116 bird species. Enjoy one of four walk trails, the Sixty Foot Falls and fantastic views of the city. Or you can return to the city and watch the sunset from Wireless Hill Park in Applecross – 40 hectares of natural bushland filled with spring wildflowers, including kangaroo paws, catspaws, Leschenaultia and grass trees. Overnight in Perth.