Pickering Brook is in the undulating, Hills area east of Perth, offering excellent bush walking and mountain-biking amongst the Jarrah/Marri/She Oak forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. Its wooded valleys are interspersed with dozens of small-holding apple, pear and stone fruit orchards. Neil is a keen mountain-biker and would be delighted to have a student or two join him on a short ride on the excellent Munda Biddi cycle trail that meanders south through the forest. Similarly, several well signposted bushwalking trails, some pleasant loops, others more extensive ones, criss-cross the countryside.

A ten minute drive takes you into the village of Kalamunda, where you can find good supermarkets, restaurants, a gym and some delightful pubs. Ten minutes drive in an