Numbat Trail Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary Gidgegannup

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The Numbat Trail in the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Gidgegannup, incorporates parts of the Possum Loop and Quenda Circuit Tracks and is the longest of the three walk tracks at 12km long, which will take you ~4-6 hours to complete. The Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary is located in a corridor that runs along the Avon River between the Walyunga and Avon Valley National Park and is only open to visitors with a booking, 1st May to 31st October each year. A small fee for entry is payable in advance when booking your walk online. This was a bucket list hike for me and was every bit what I expected and more.

How far is the Numbat Trail from Perth?

The Numbat Trail is located within the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary (open May to October) in Gidgegannup which is about 1 hours drive east from the Perth CBD.

Do I have to book the Numbat Trail before I arrive?

Yes, to enter the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary you must have a paid booking. With your booking you will receive a code to enter the gate at the entrance. You also need this code to exit. The Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary is open to the public May to October each year. At the time of this review the entry fee was $10 per person, see website link below for latest information.

How long does the Numbat Trail take to walk?

We did the walk the 12km in about 5 hours. That included a stop at several spots to take photos, and sitting down a few times at one of the beautifully situated picnic tables to rest, enjoy a bite to eat and a drink while we took in the stunning surrounding views.

How difficult is the Numbat Trail?

The Numbat Trail has been assigned as a Grade 3 which means is suitable for most ages and fitness levels, however some trail walking experience is recommended. In saying this though, this hike features A LOT of stairs, many of which are on and incline. How many stairs is a lot of stairs? Word on the internet is over 1000 stairs, but trust me there is a lot. Just when I thought I was done with the stairs there were more.

If you do have any issues with knees or any other injury that may be exacerbated by stairs, this possibly isn’t the walk for you.  There are some sections of sloping loose ground also, however most of the tracks are compacted earth and well cleared either side. It’s also really well sign posted so there is little chance of getting lost. The trail is unfortunately no wheelchair or pram friendly.

Is the Numbat Trail marked?

Yes, this trail is very well marked all the way along, it is near on impossible to get lost. The Possum Loop and Quenda Circuit Tracks form part of the Numbat Trail and all three are well marked all the way around.

Are there waterfalls on the Numbat Trail?

Yes, we saw a couple of larger waterfalls. The first and largest was at the Paruna Gorge where there is a viewing platform and stairs down to the bottom of the waterfall and the second was near where the Quenda Track becomes The Numbat Trail.

What else is there to see along the Numbat Trail?

As well as the waterfalls, there are beautiful elevated views of the Avon River and railway line, over vast pastoral areas, across undulating hills and into the valleys below.  We visited at the start of Spring and there were some wildflowers in bloom and the Powerbark and Wandoo trees are stunning also. We spotted a few kangaroos, however being a wildlife sanctuary be on the lookout for other wildlife such as the Quenda, Woylie, Tammar Wallaby and Black-footed Rock Wallaby.

How much water should I take on the Numbat Trail?

You should carry 2-3 litres of water per person with you on this trail.

What is the best time to do the Numbat Trail?

It was only about 19 degrees when we did this trail, and being so physically demanding we felt like this was the perfect temperature, so the earlier you can start the better to avoid the hottest part of the day. I did see some beautiful photos on another blog of some early morning fog blanketing the tops of hills. If you start before sunrise you may get some spectacular views of the fog over the hills.

Are there places to stop along the way on the Numbat Trail?

There are lots of bench seats and picnic tables throughout the whole trail all strategically located at the best vantage points, with no shortage of spots to stop to have something to eat, drink and just to rest and take in the views. No bins are available at these vantage points, so be sure to be prepared to take your rubbish with you.

I’m not quite up to doing the whole Numbat Trail, are the other trails worth it?

A large portion of the Possum Loop and Quenda Circuit Track form part of The Numbat Trail. However if you don’t feel like doing the 12km Numbat Trail, the Quenda Circuit in particular is worth the visit. This loop is 6.5km long, includes part of the Possum Loop as well as the Paruna Gorge Viewing Platform and waterfall.

Are there toilets or other facilities on the Numbat Trail?

There is a composting toilet at the entrance to the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary and it has  a one way window so you can take in the views while you go.

Am I allowed to bring my dogs into the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary?

Unfortunately no. There are strictly no dogs allowed in the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary.

What was the highlight of the Numbat Trail?

I loved the Paruna Gorge Viewing Platform and waterfall, located on the Quenda Circuit Track section of the Numbat Trail.

Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary Map

Summary

The Numbat Trail was on my hiking bucket list and did not disappoint.  The trail is well maintained, and easy to follow. From picnic tables by the babbling brook to the elevated views over the Avon River, all this made the stairs and the long distance worth it.  If you have a good level of fitness, no injuries that may be antagonised by stairs and you enjoy a long hike, then you are sure to love The Numbat Trail located within the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary Gidgegannup. It also makes great training and preparation for longer and tougher hikes like Bluff Knoll and the Bald Head Walk Trail Albany.

Start: At the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary carpark and for the Numbat Trail follow the outside edge of the Quenda Trail that runs parallel with the Avon River to start.
Distance: ~12km
Difficulty: Grade 3. Bushwalking experience and a moderate to high level of fitness is recommended. Lots of stairs and some areas of loose gravel on an incline.
Time: ~4-6 hrs
Toilets: Drop toilet located at entrance
Dogs: Not permitted
Bikes: Not permitted
Map: See above
More information: www.australianwildlife.org