The Nearer to Nature July school holiday program offers plenty of fun, hands-on activities, bringing kids of all ages up close and personal with nature. Several activities are held at Perth Hills Discovery Centre, near Mundaring Weir. For a full list of activities throughout Perth visit the Nearer to Nature website.

Fri 07 July - Saturday 22 July
Darlington Theatre Players bring you Shakespeare’s tale of infidelity, deception, masks, mistaken identity and love. This beloved comedy follows the intertwined love stories of two couples in picturesque Messina, Italy.
Don't miss your chance to experience this fresh and exciting production featuring talented actors and beautiful costumes. Check website for performance schedule. Marloo Theatre, 20 Marloo Road, Greenmount

Local artist Tay Beynon from Meraki Boho will demonstrate and guide your kids throughout the painting process to help develop the skills and confidence to explore therapy through art.

These classes are suited for children 10 years and up but if you feel that your child has the interest and skill level to participate you are more than welcome to book in a bit younger. Adults are also welcome to participate in the workshop and can purchase tickets.

Saturday 8 July
Coral Coast Beef is all about celebrating prime grass-fed and grass-finished beef. As an award-winning local Perth Hills' business, they want to share their passions with you. The Butcher will identify primal and custom cuts, and then prepare delicious beef dishes from these heritage cuts, which you will then enjoy along with some local red wines. A great day out for individuals or a group.

12pm- 5pm, Coral Coast Beef HQ, 11010 Great Eastern Highway, Sawyers Valley

Kate Bird is a Personal Colour and Image Stylist and owner of ladies' preloved-clothing consignment boutique, the Colour me Kate Frock Shop, located in the heart of the picturesque village of Darlington. This month Kate is offering three special workshops: How to Wear Colour, How to Dress your Body Shape,and Create your own Personal Style; Visit the Colour me Kate website to find out more about these July workshops and more!

Saturday 8 July
Cafe Chidlow is delighted to welcome back Tay from Meraki Boho for its second paint n' sip workshop. This is a step by step tutorial on how to create your very own acrylic on canvas Red Tail Black Cockatoo masterpiece, 

Your ticket includes $15 to go towards purchasing food and drinks at the venue. Workshop runs from 12pm-2.30pm. View event on Facebook here to find out more. Cafe Chidlow, 2 Memorial Ave, Chidlow

Saturday 8 July
Witness the creative process firsthand as exhibiting artist Barbara Gell works in residence in the gallery space. Gain an unique insight into Gell’s practice and discover the inspiration behind her exhibition Into the Gully.

11am-3pm. Mundaring Arts Centre, 7190 Great Eastern Highway, Mundaring. Visit the Mundaring Arts Centre website for further details and for all upcoming events

Sunday 9 July
Lake Leschenaultia Bushlands
Join local Cliff Burns as part of the 2023 Darlington Bush and Variety Series of walks. 
This walk around Lake Leschenaultia covers a distance of 5.7km with moderate terrain. Wide trails and narrow tracks. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Walk commences 9am. Duration approx. 2-2.5 hours. Cost is $5 (payable on the walking day). No pets, bikes or children under 12. Bookings strictly by email only.

Sunday 9 July
If you are fit and experienced then this one is a perfect walk for you - a 23.5km return walk from the Perth Hills Discovery Centre to Helena Campsite via Ball Creek Campsite, led by Foundation volunteers.
Walk past flowing creeks, through mixed jarrah forest and wandoo forest and also take a break at the Helena campsite with amazing views from high up the valley.

For more info or to book visit the website

Saturday 15 July & Monday 31 July
Join Off the Beaten Track WA as they guide you on a 10km hike in John Forrest National Park through tunnels, past waterfalls and cascades following the ridge to reach awe-inspiring views of the Perth City skyline. Experience the impressive and historic Swan View Tunnel, the delightfully scenic National Park Falls and views of the Swan Coastal Plain from the Eagle View Lookout on the Tunnels, Falls & Eagle Views Hiking Experience. Hike commences 7.30am. Find out more here

Saturday 15 July & 29 July
This tour begins with a hike along a small section of the iconic Bibbulmun Track across Mundaring Weir to the Golden View lookout. Be immersed in Beelu National Park bushland and discover the intricacies of a project so ambitious it threatened to change the course of Australian history. Once the sun sets, enjoy a dusk return hike, where the same trail revisited in reverse can look magically unique as the nocturnal animals begin to awaken. This 6km hike commences at 3.30pm and takes approx. 2.5 hours.

Saturday 15 July
Browse the range of local crafts, artworks, giftware, skincare, homemade preserves, baked goodies, locally grown fresh produce and plants. Let the kids play in safety in the enclosed playground. Then, when you have finished hop across the road to check out the amazing railway memorabilia at the historic Chidlow Tavern.

Markets run 10am-4pm Chidlow Hall, Old Northam Road, Chidlow. View the Facebook page here

Saturday 15 July
It’s all about perspective. A single story can be told from multiple angles, and in this workshop, KSP's Emerging Writer-in-Residence, Rebecca Higgie will help you tackle how to weave together multiple character perspectives and plotlines in a cohesive, enriching way. From multiple eras to varying points of view on the same event, learn practical skills to create intersections in your own multi-layered storytelling.

For more info or to book, visit the website​

Exhibition closing Sunday 16 July
Artists Shelley Cowper, Haya Hagit Cohen and Elmari Steyn explore the intricate ties between place, space, feelings and emotions, where the heart and mind work together to construct a spiritual connection to place; communicating this through traditional printmaking techniques and mixed media works.

Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-3pm. Closed Monday & Public Holidays. Visit website here

Exhibition closing Sunday 16 July
Barbara Gell captures feelings and impressions of being in the Perth Hills’ Whistlepipe Gully, and a sense of place through her paintings and drawings.
Geometric structure forms the scaffolding on which a variety of marks reintroduce the tangle of natural forms. Gell’s work is centred around the push and pull of chaos and order.

Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-3pm. Closed Monday & Public Holidays. Visit website here

Sunday 16 July
Darlington Chamber Music Series celebrates its 20th Birthday this year. This third concert, features the Darlington String Quartet, newly appointed as Quartet in Residence at WAAPA. They will be playing Janacek’s powerful Intimate Letters, Haydn’s delightful Frog Quartet and music by the fabulous Danish Quartet. Concert starts 3pm. Darlington Hall, Owen Road, Darlington.

For information on the full winter program or to book visit the website here

Saturday 22 July
Get ready for an exciting and sexy mash-up of magic and burlesque. Over three rounds, watch as magic and burlesque go head to head in an adults-only competition. Then it is up to you to decide who wins. All the glory is reserved for the winner while the loser must attempt to perform an act from the other’s repertoire. Will the striptease entice you to pick a card, or will the magician have to perform some death-defying tassel twirling? Limited availability so book ahead here to secure your seat.

Sunday 23 July
Be guided into a deep state of relaxation as Emily plays a variety of instruments including gongs, crystal sound bowls, chimes, ocean drum and more. Simply lay back, get cosy and allow the healing vibrations to wash over you.
Held at Harmony Hall, a Sound Bath will assist you to clear any stuck or stagnant energy, so you can float into your evening with your selfcare cup full.
Visit the website for more info or to book

Sunday 23 July
If you ask anyone who is trying to eat a more plant based diet what they find the hardest to replace, it is without a doubt cheese!
This introductory workshop by Short Street Kitchen is all about learning how to make dairy free cheese from scratch using whole foods. Unlike some store bought vegan cheeses these have no strange ingredients, are a lovely texture, inexpensive and incredibly flavoursome. You definitely do not need to be dairy free to enjoy these delights.
For more info or to book visit the website.

Monday 24 July
Join Alice Ottey, original owner of The Parkerville Tavern (then The Railway Hotel) on a historical journey, as she wonders at the sights and sounds of the success of ‘her’ tavern, The Parkerville Tavern, leading you through a tour of this historically listed landmark pub in the Perth Hills. This event includes a 3 course meal, with a selection of canapes, choice of 4 main courses and a choice of 2 desserts. 6pm. Limited places. Click here for information and bookings

Throughout July
Embrace this winter by having a second Christmas at the Chidlow Tavern! ‘Christmas in July’ is the perfect opportunity to bring together friends, family or workmates, for a festive lunch or dinner. Enjoy a fantastic meal, a cheeky drink (or few) and a lot of laughs complemented by the timeless charm of the historic Tavern.
Available for the whole month of July cost $48.00 pp for 3 courses, $42.00 pp for 2 courses. Bookings are essential.
T: 9572 4154 or Email.

Nestled in the heart of Mount Helena and directly opposite Pioneer Park you will find White's Mill and Grind Cafe - a favourite with the locals (including the four-legged variety). With plenty of cycle pathways and nature all around, this cafe is well worth the stop. Specialising in Fiori Coffee, The Holy Bagel Company Bagels and delicious in-house baked cakes and treats. GF options are also available. Check them out on Facebook.
Open 7 days Mon-Sun 6am-1pm 15b McVicar Place, Mt Helena. Tel:0416 082 296