Creeklines and Bushland Pockets of Upper Chittering

Overview

Upper Chittering sits in the inland hills north of Perth, where low-density rural living meets pockets of retained bush and waterway reserve. Around Hart Drive and the Chittering Heights area, the landscape is shaped by creeklines, small dams and strips of native vegetation set aside to protect those waterways. It feels quieter and more spread out than the better-known stops in the valley, with short bush reserves giving the area much of its local character.

Highlights

The main appeal here is the mix of gentle rises, creek corridors and remnant bushland within the Upper Chittering estate landscape. Reserves around Hart Drive were set aside for waterway protection, so the scenery is less about dramatic landforms and more about the contrast between open rural blocks, shaded drainage lines and intact native vegetation. That gives this part of Chittering a distinctly local, semi-rural bush feel rather than the broader valley views found elsewhere in the district.

Best Time to Visit

The cooler months from autumn to spring are the most pleasant time to be out in Upper Chittering. Winter and early spring usually bring greener creeklines and fresher-looking bush, while spring is often the best period to appreciate the native vegetation after the wetter months. In the hotter part of the year, the landscape tends to look drier and more exposed.

Plants and Animals

Native vegetation is one of the defining features of Upper Chittering’s reserves, especially along creeklines and around waterway protection areas. In the Chittering Heights reserves, the recorded vegetation complexes include Murray and Bindoon, reflecting the transition between valley and upland environments in this part of the shire. Even in relatively small reserves, those bushland strips play an important role as habitat and help retain the local feel of native flora within a settled rural area.