Categories > Guides and Tips
Top Things to Do for a Perfect Day in Mount Helena
- Relax in a luxurious tent at Eversprings Glamping
- Savour classic pub meals at Mount Helena Tavern
- Go hiking or bushwalking at John Forrest National Park
- Taste various wines at Lion Mill Vineyards
- Discover unique finds at Mundaring Sunday Markets
- Gallop through Zia Park Equestrian Centre
- Sip on a good latte at White's Mill and Grind
- Check out beautiful paintings at Peach Tree Gallery
While Perth undoubtedly holds its own charm with its vibrant city life and famous landmarks, there’s a lot more to explore in Western Australia than just the city centre.
Mount Helena went through several name changes over the years, from White’s Mill to Lion Mill to its current name. But one thing didn’t change about this town: it offers a perfect blend of nature and adventure to everyone watching it.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of the best things to do when in Mount Helena to help you make your own itinerary!
Relax in a luxurious tent at Eversprings Glamping
Location: 505 Grigg Rd
Website: https://www.everspringsglamping.com/
Contact details: 0413 153 227
If there’s one Mount Helena is famous for, it’s definitely its natural beauty. That’s why it’s also one of the best spots for glamping around Perth!
Eversprings offers a 100-acre alpaca farm for those who want a glamping adventure. Our tent had a comfortable queen-size bed, hot shower, and toilet. There’s also a kitchen with a gas stove, though we opted to eat out during our stay.
Our tent was near nature reserves and Lake Leschenaultia, which was perfect since we also wanted to really connect with nature.
Pro Tip: If you want to try water sports, head over to Lake Leschenaultia! You can hire canoes and paddle boards from there and have fun at the lake!
Make sure to bring your card when you visit because they don’t accept cash.
Savour classic pub meals at Mount Helena Tavern
Location: 900 Keane St W
Website: https://www.mounthelenatavern.com/
Contact details: +61 8 9572 2121, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM; 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM; 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM
No tour of Mount Helena will ever be complete without visiting the iconic and historic Mount Helena Tavern, or The Mounties as we call it. The pub’s history dates back to 1902, but it remains the locals’ favourite pub until today.
We had their smashed burger and truffle steak sanga, which made us realise why the tavern is so famous! The toppings weren’t soggy, and the patties were cooked just right, so they didn’t come dry.
The tavern also has this huge beer garden, so we were able to soak in the sun while enjoying our beer and burgers. If you plan to dine here, book a table, though, because the place can get really busy.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of the tavern’s courtesy bus! Every Friday and Saturday, and during big events, they offer free pick-up and drop-off to those within a 13 km radius of the tavern!
Just call 9572 2121 if you and your friends need some help!
Go hiking or bushwalking at John Forrest National Park
From @kookykimy
Location: Park Rd, Hovea
Distance from Mount Helena: 20 minutes away
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/john-forrest
Contact details: (08) 9290 6100
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Just a 20-minute drive from Mount Helena, John Forrest National Park is one place you should not miss when you’re in the Shire of Mundaring. The over 26-kilometre-square park offers a range of walking trails for an active and fun day hike!
We followed the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, which was pretty long but wasn’t really challenging. The trail was mostly flat, making it suitable for everyone, including little ones who might enjoy spotting some cute kangaroos along the way.
The trail led us to a dark and old tunnel called Swan View Tunnel. Stepping inside, we were greeted with a chill and eerie darkness—definitely a thrilling detour from the rest of the park.
The trail also led us to the National Park Falls, one of the two falls in the park. While we only made it to one due to some delicious BBQ distractions, it just gives us another reason to come back and explore more of this amazing park.
Pro Tip: Bring lots of water! The trails are long, and the park can get really warm during summer, so you’ll need lots of water!
Taste various wines at Lion Mill Vineyards
Location: 700 Lion St, Sawyers Valley
Distance from Mount Helena: 5 minutes away
Website: https://lionmillvineyards.com.au/
Contact details: +61 (0) 412 433 443, [email protected]
If the beer at the tavern isn’t your cup of tea, how about sipping on a good glass of wine? Just about a 5-minute drive away from Mount Helena is the beautiful Lion Mill Vineyards that will treat you to a tantalising wine-tasting experience.
We discovered the place when we were searching for a winery offering Zinfandel wines in Perth, and it’s definitely one of our best discoveries this year. Their Liqueur Zinfandel 2020 has this lasting sweet taste that we really love, so make sure to give it a try!
If you’re into Italian wines, their Montepulciano 2021 is one of the closest you’ll get around Perth. It has this rich berry flavour that might convince you to buy one to take home (like the way it convinced us!).
Pro Tip: Book your wine-tasting experience at the website early to choose a time slot that works for you. They usually only schedule tastings every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so plan your trip around those days.
Discover unique finds at Mundaring Sunday Markets
From @cavaressifresh
Location: Sculpture Park Mundaring, 13 Nichol St, Mundaring
Distance from Mount Helena: 10 minutes away
Website: https://www.rotarymundaring.org.au/
Contact details: 0473 507 683
Operating hours: Specific Sundays of the month: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Organised by the Rotary Club of Mundaring, the Mundaring Sunday Markets held at the Sculpture Park Mundaring are another great introduction to Mount Helena and the rest of the Shire of Mundaring.
It’s filled with local vendors offering local produce, unique arts and crafts, food samples, and much more. We were really just there to explore the food trucks and tents, but we ended up buying some adorable beaded bracelets and scented candles.
We also saw some really amazing wooden statues of various wildlife in the market, a couple of florists, handmade soap vendors, and a few clothing stalls. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for souvenirs for your loved ones at home.
Pro Tip: The markets open on specific Sundays of the month, so follow the Rotary Club of Mundaring’s Facebook account or monitor the websites for updates.
Gallop through Zia Park Equestrian Centre
Location: 8410 Stoneville Rd, Gidgegannup
Distance from Mount Helena: 10 minutes away
Website: https://www.ziapark.com.au/
Contact details: 0457 588 405; [email protected] (trail ride enquiries), [email protected] (lesson enquiries), [email protected] (general enquiries)
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM;
Instead of exploring the beauty of Mount Helena and its surrounding town in your car, how about hopping on the back of some good horses and asking them to tour you around?
If you’re like us and love some fun adventure, Zia Park Equestrian Centre in Gidgegannup, just 10 minutes away from Mount Helena, offers a guided horse trail riding experience.
The instructor gave us lessons on the basics of riding before she led us to the tour. Not only did we have a fun tour around the 140-acre property and nearby reserves, but we were also able to spot several kangaroos as we made our way.
The horses were very lovely and well-behaved, so you don’t have to worry even if it’s your first time riding one. They also have some ponies, which are perfect for families!
Pro Tip: Book your trail ride early, at least 3 days prior, or they won’t be able to accommodate you. Remember that booking can only be done on their website, and their phone number and emails are just for enquiries!
Sip on a good latte at White’s Mill and Grind
Location: 15b McVicar Pl
Website: http://www.whitesmillandgrind.com/
Contact details: 0416 082 296, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Public Holidays: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Open 7 days a week, White’s Mill and Grind is the perfect place to drop by for a good breakfast. With artisan treats sourced from local businesses and crazy good coffee, the cafe will make sure you start the day happy!
We had their double shot medium flat white, which had a strong coffee flavour that was surprisingly not overpowering. We also had the best bagels in Perth Hills here, with Reuben and cinnamon bagels being our favourites.
There were both tourists and residents visiting the cafe, so it was really easy to socialise. The cafe is essentially one of the best places to drop by if you really want to get to know Mount Helena!
Pro Tip: If you want to dine at the cafe, consider booking a table prior to visiting to ensure you have somewhere to sit. It’s a pretty small cafe but quite popular, so it’s often busy.
Check out beautiful paintings at Peach Tree Gallery
Please embed:
Location: 740 Dibble St
Website: https://www.peachtreegallery.com/
Contact details: +(61) 411 580 903, 618 6102 0864 (Skype), [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
For art lovers who find themselves in Mount Helena, make sure to swing by Peach Tree Gallery. This small and unassuming gallery houses a range of artworks by Australia-based artist Jeremy Holton.
Jeremy was very enthusiastic throughout the visit and explained the inspirations behind each work. The gallery is smaller compared to art galleries in the city, but it’s packed with a range of work.
Although he had a couple of realism paintings, there were far more colourful and abstract paintings on the walls, many of which may remind you of Van Gogh’s art style. If you’d like to add some colourful masterpieces to your home, this is the place to go!
Those who want to learn art themselves can also join Holton’s painting workshops and maybe make their own art for their home! He also said he does commission works, so check that if you have a specific painting in mind.
Pro Tip: The gallery is open most days of the week, but be sure to contact them first before visiting. There are times when they can’t accommodate walk-in visitors, so you might end up going home without seeing any art.
