The Darling Range east of Perth is a perfect weekend getaway thanks to its cosy Bed and Breakfasts, top quality restaurants and art galleries – all in a beautiful bushland setting.

The Darling Range harbours a number of national parks in the Kalamunda, Chidlow, Kelmscott and Wungong areas meaning nature is never far away.

There’re excellent bush walking trails, the most famous the Bibbulmun Track, which take you deep into Eucalypt, Jarrah and Wandoo woodlands full of native animals including kangaroos, wallabies and a big variety of birds.

In spring, native wildflowers colour the lush understorey. Spend a day hiking through the bush, then retreat to the warmth of a hillside retreat complete with log fires, award winning local fare, quality wines and your favourite person.

There’re plenty of arts and craft stores to browse, along with fresh fruit and vegetables for sale at local markets.

The Darling Range is also geographically interesting as it’s here that some of the oldest rocks on earth are exposed. The granite, gneisses and quartzite’s are more than 2,500 million years old.

The Darling Range can be accessed from the hills towns of Mundaring and Kalamunda, which are about a 40 minute drive from Perth.