WA
Alexander Morrison National Park
250kms north from Perth. 65km east from Green Head, 40km west from Coorow, along the Coorow-Green Head Rd. This 8,500 hectare Park was declared a National Park in 1970. It was named after Alexander Morrison (1849-1913) who was the first official Western Australian government botanist in the Bureau of Agriculture between 1897-1906. He collected specimens extensively in Western Australia and Victoria, briefly at Gawler in South Australia, and undertook an excursion to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in 1896. Morrison amassed a sizeable private herbarium that was bequeathed to Edinburgh University and has since been shared around the world herbaria. Just like other national parks on the northern sandplains (Tathra, Badgingarra, and Lesueur national parks), Alexander Morrison National Park is renowned for its incredible diversity of endemic wildflowers. This is ‘breakaway' country where low lateritic ridges are the dominant visual landform. It is possible to generalise about Western Australian landscapes and to say that the more infertile the soil, the greater the number of plant species. The impoverished soils of this region, severely depleted of trace elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus, have allowed this unique flora to evolve in these harsh conditions. Plants to look for include: Proteaceae family - numerous species of banksia, 20 species of dryandra, grevillea, smokebush and hakea. The Myrtaceae family - colourful verticordia (morrison, featherflower), honeymyrtle, eremaea, calitrix and calothamnus. eschenaultia, kangaroo paws, pea and conostylis species are prolific. The proliferation of poison peas saved this area from clearing for stock pasture. Now, the biggest threat to the plants is the spread of dieback, a soil borne fungus.
Avon Valley National Park
80 km north-east of Perth via the Toodyay Road. Turn left into Morangup Road, and left onto Quarry Road. From summer to winter, from north to south, and from high outcrops to deep river and stream valleys, the forests of Avon Valley National Park are constantly changing. The Avon River flows in winter and spring when the river churns over spectacular rapids. During summer and autumn the river diminishes to a series of pools in a bed of granite boulders and tea-tree thickets. The park features forests and granite outcrops, panoramic views over the Avon Valley and the chance to see a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Avon Valley National Park is open from 8am to 4pm every day. Gates are locked outside of these times. The roads within the park are all unsealed. The nearest telephone, petrol and food outlets are at Gidgegannup or Toodyay, 30 kilometres from the park. There are some picnic facilities and basic camping sites. The small amount of development means much of the park has wilderness qualities. The best time to visit is during the cooler months.
Badgingarra National Park
190km from Perth via the Brand Highway with no internal roads. Located on the opposite side of highway from the town of Badgingarra. Badgingarra National Park is 13,108 hectares and features high breakaway country overlooking low undulating sandplains. The park is renowned for its incredible diversity of endemic wildflowers. Low scrub predominates, the lowlands bloom with extensive wildflowers in spring. Flora in this area includes the yellow and black kangaroo paws, two types of grass trees, banksias, smokebush, the rare Badgingarra mallee, the mottlecah (with the largest flower of all the eucalypts) and verticordia. Now, the biggest threat to the plants is the spread of dieback, a soil borne fungus. The white sands provide little nutrition for plants. Many plants use bacteria and fungi associated with their root systems to extract nutrients from the impoverished sand or obtain nitrogen from the air. Emus, bustards, wedge-tailed eagles, reptiles and the western grey kangaroo, are some of the fauna that inhabit this area.
Beedelup National Park
22km from the Pemberton, 367kms from Perth, 267km from Albany, 154km from Margaret River, 57km from Nannup. Situated on the Vasse highway in Pemberton, Beedelup National Park is mostly karri forest, with some mixed forest and some areas of jarrah and marri. The park features the Beedelup Falls and suspension bridge. The understorey is lush, and the atmosphere damp and often misty, because of the abundance of water. It is particularly soft and mossy, with many peppermints and a closely-related species, the swamp peppermint (Agonis linearifolia), recognised by its similar clusters of white flowers, but smaller and more rigid leaves. The lemon-scented darwinia (Darwinia citriodora), a sprawling shrub with greyish leaves held in opposite pairs, which have a lemony smell when crushed, is also common on the walk trail. Karri hazel, chorilaena, hibbertia and tassel flowers mix with water bush and the myrtle wattle (Acacia myrtifolia), which is smaller and has paler yellow flowers than the karri wattle. The park protects an area of 1786 hectares and is on the Vasse Highway west of Pemberton. Its major attraction is Beedelup Falls, which are in full flow during winter and spring. The falls can be viewed along a walk trail, from the suspension bridge, and from two bridges. Beedelup National Park was named after Beedelup Brook, which has been shown on plans since 1875. It is likely to be derived from the Nyoongar Aboriginal word beedja meaning sleep, so beedjalup would mean place of rest, which would be appropriate since Beedelup is a popular and peaceful recreation area.
Canning National Park (Unofficial name)
47km from Perth along Brookton Highway. Located between Brookton Highway and the Canning Reservoir, this 2500-hectare park is mainly jarrah forest and forms an important water catchment area for the reservoir. Canning National Park (unofficial name) has high conservation values with many plant and animal species being located within its boundaries and adjacent areas. The major recreation facilities located near Canning National Park are provided by the Water Corporation at Canning Dam. Access to this picnic site is off McNess Drive, Roleystone or Canning Dam Road off Albany Highway. Several Mountain Bike trails run either through the Canning National Park or adjacent State Forest areas. The Munda-Biddi Mountain Bike trail, which will eventually go all the way to Albany, runs through the National Park. Just to the north of Canning National Park, off Brookton Highway, is the Carinyah Mountain Bike Loop Trail. This trail is 15.7km long and starts from a terminus located 4.4km east along Brookton Highway from the Canning Road intersection. Two other recreation sites are situated close Canning National Park. Christmas Tree Well is located on Brookton Highway and was once used as a watering hole for coach/horse travelers between Perth and Brookton. In Spring and Summer, visitors are treated to the colourful display of the native Christmas Tree. Lesley is situated on Brookton Highway near Ashendon Road and was the site of a former forestry settlement. A four-kilometre walktrail winds its way through the re-growth jarrah forest.
Cape Arid National Park
120 km east of Esperance. Cape Arid National Park is a large (279 832 hectares) and exceptionally scenic park. With more than 160 bird species, it is an important park for the conservation of birds in Western Australia, and harbours a number of restricted and threatened species, as well as some interesting inland birds. The park lies at the eastern extremity of the South-Western botanical province and overlaps the boundary of the Eremaean botanical province (the arid zone). Therefore, as well as including beaches and the Thomas River and estuary, it also includes south-western and more arid vegetation types, providing a broad array of bird habitats. Near the coast, these include banksia woodlands, swamp yate (Eucalyptus occidentalis) woodlands, and heaths, some with emergent banksias or eucalypts, depending on the soil type. Further inland, there are extensive areas of mallee of various types and semi-arid eucalypt woodlands. There are also small areas of mixed woodlands and shrublands around granite rocks and the peaks of the Russell Range, including Mount Ragged. Cape Arid National Park, therefore, includes a diverse array of bird species. It is the eastern limit of distribution in Western Australia for ten species, including the ground parrot, scarlet robin, western spinebill and red-eared firetail. Several species that prefer drier country are found in the northern part of the park, but not in the southern parts. These include the mulga parrot and pied butcherbird. Sixteen of the 18 species of honeyeater found in Western Australia south of Dongara are known from the park, a good indication of the richness of species. One endangered bird, the western ground parrot, lives in the park, and several rare species, including the Australasian bittern, Carnaby's black-cockatoo and Cape Barren goose, visit the park on occasions. Western Australian Cape Barren geese breed only in the Recherche Archipelago and occasionally visit nearby parts of the mainland. Total numbers are estimated to be only about 650 birds. The western ground parrot has declined to very low numbers in the park due to extensive wildfires in the 1970s and 1980s. It is restricted to low heaths and needs long unburnt areas to persist, although it can forage in areas more recently burnt. In order to breed, it is believed that it needs vegetation that has remained unburnt for about 15 years. Annual rainfall in areas occupied by ground parrots in the park is only about 400 millimetres, and the heaths only regenerate very slowly under these conditions. At least two species have moved into the park in the last 40 years. The elegant parrot moved into the Esperance district in 1959, following clearing of vegetation for farms. This species and the crested pigeon, which arrived in about 1980, both like very open woodland or parkland situations. At Cape Arid, they are most likely to be seen along the boundary with the farmland, particularly on Merivale Road.
Cape Le Grand National Park
30 km south-east of Esperance, 50 km by road. Approach via Fisheries Road, Merivale Road and Cape Le Grand Road. The route is well signposted from Fisheries Road. Wild coastal scenery, rugged granite peaks, and sweeping heathlands characterise Cape Le Grand National Park. Popular features in the park include attractive bays with wide sandy beaches set between rocky headlands. Inland, the park protects an undulating heath-covered sandplain, interspersed with swamps and freshwater pools. In the south-west corner of the park, massive rock outcrops of granite and gneiss form an impressive chain of peaks including Mt Le Grand (345 m), Frenchman Peak (262 m) and Mississippi Hill (180 m). The peaks of the park's south-west corner are the result of erosion and movements in the Earth's crust over the past 600 million years. During the Eocene period, some 40 million years ago, sea levels were at least 300 metres above their present level and these peaks would have been largely submerged. The caves and tunnels found in the peaks are thought to have been either formed or enlarged by wave action and underwater currents. The sandplains that cover much of the park support a great variety of plant and animal life. In areas of deep sand, dense thickets of Banksia speciosa thrive, growing to three or four metres tall. On gravel outcrops and in areas where the soil is shallow, another banksia, Banksia pulchella, may be found. Many species of small native mammals rely on the plant communities of the park for food and shelter. When in flower, the banksias are a source of nectar and insects for the tiny honey-possum, while after dark, the quenda, or southern brown bandicoot, forages in the understorey for grubs and worms. The park is named after Le Grand, an officer of the L'Esperance, one of the ships in a French expedition commanded by Admiral D'Entrecasteaux in 1792. Matthew Flinders visited and named Lucky Bay in 1802, when taking shelter from a summer storm. Rossiter Bay was named by John Eyre when his party, suffering from the rigours of crossing the Nullarbor, was relieved to find the ship Mississippi, captained by Rossiter, anchored in the bay in June 1841. Mississippi Hill at Lucky Bay was named after the ship. Rehabilitation and restoration projects have been undertaken at most of the coastal sites and on numerous old and now disused roads and tracks within Cape Le Grand National Park. Please assist nature by keeping off the rehabilitation areas.
Cape Range National Park
Lying predominantly on the western side of North-West Cape Peninsula, Cape Range National Park protects an area of 50 581 hectares. The northern boundary of the park is 39 kilometres from Exmouth by road, and the southern boundary is 70 kilometres north of Coral Bay. If you want to enjoy spectacular rocky gorges, carved by ancient rivers, adjoining one of the most pristine and beautiful coastlines in the world, come to Cape Range. The area is well known for the striking contrast between the clear blue seas, coral reefs and sandy beaches of Ningaloo Marine Park, and the rugged scenery of Cape Range. The Cape Range is the only elevated limestone range on the north-western coast of WA. The impressive weathered limestone range has plateaus of up to 314 metres high. It forms the spine of the peninsula that stretches up towards North West Cape in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. You can climb up deep rocky gorges to enjoy breathtaking scenery. One of many popular walks is a three-kilometre ramble through Mandu Mandu Gorge along the bed of an ancient river. As the summer heat is intense, walks should only be attempted between April and September. You can also view rock wallabies at Yardie Creek. Beneath the rocky plateaus and canyons of the Cape Range National Park lies a network of hidden caves and tunnels. They harbour a unique collection of bizarre cave-dwelling animals: an ancient treasure trove of immense value to both science and nature conservation
Collier Range National Park
166 km south of Newman near Kumarina.
D'Entrecasteaux National Park
The park stretches for 130 km from Black Point, 35 km east of Augusta, to Long Point 10 km west of Walpole, extending inland for between five and 20 km. It lies 8 km from Northcliffe and 40 km from Pemberton. Qualities of remoteness and pristine natural beauty are features of D'Entrecasteaux National Park (pronounced don-truh-cast-oh, with slight stress on the last syllable). Spectacular coastal cliffs, beaches, mobile sand dunes, vast coastal wildflower heaths and even pockets of karri are all part of the scenery. The park has isolated beach camp sites, wild coastal vistas and excellent fishing. Much of the park is managed for its wilderness values, so few facilities are provided. Major streams and rivers, including the Warren, Donnelly and Shannon, drain through D'Entrecasteaux and empty into its coastal waters. High sand dunes and limestone cliffs on the sea coast give way to coastal heathlands and a series of lakes and swamps further inland. These include Lake Yeagarup and Lake Jasper, which is the largest freshwater lake in the southern half of Western Australia. Vast areas of wetlands behind the coastal dunes are known as The Blackwater. Another outstanding feature is the Yeagarup Dune, an impressive mobile dune 10 kilometres long. The D'Entrecasteaux National Park and its inland neighbour the Shannon National Park surround one of Western Australia's largest inlets. Broke Inlet is also the only large estuary in the South-West that has not been significantly altered, either by developments along its shores or within its catchment area. Lying at the park's eastern end, it is a large, shallow estuary, linked to the ocean by a narrow seasonally open channel that passes through high ridges of windblown sand dunes. Sandy beaches along its shores are interspersed with low, rocky headlands of gneiss. The gneissic basement projects above water level in many places to form several small islands. The basalt columns west of Black Point are one of the park's most stunning landforms. This feature originated from a volcanic lava flow, some 135 million years ago. The formation resulted from the slow cooling of a deep pool of lava, similar to the development of mud cracks. In the process of it cracking and shrinking, columns were formed perpendicular to the surface. The result was a close-packed series of hexagonal columns, now slowly being eroded by the sea.
Drovers Cave National Park
Drovers Cave National Park is covers 2,681 hectares. It is located six kilometres east of Jurien; two-hundred and fifty-five kilometres north of Perth and two-hundred and forty kilometres south of Geraldton. The park can be described as rough limestone country with numerous caves. All entrances to caves however are locked for public safety and to prevent vandalism. Vegetation consists of Banksia woodland with a thick under story of Parrot Bush, One Sided Bottle Brush and Shrub Banksia. Fauna in the region include the Western Grey Kangaroo, Honey Possums, emus, bustards and various reptiles. There is no camping in the park. Day visits only. Supplies can be bought from Jurien. The park is considered unsuitable for picnicking. Walking is limited to fire breaks, as vegetation under story is very thick in areas. Spring is the best time to visit for wildflowers. Tick repellant is recommended.
Drysdale River National Park
About 150 km west of Wyndham and 100 km south of Kalumburu. Drysdale River National Park covers an area of 448 264 hectares in the far-north wilderness of Western Australia. It features open woodlands, the broad waters of the Drysdale River, pools, creeks and rugged cliffs and gorges. There are major waterfalls at Morgan Falls and Solea Falls and many smaller falls elsewhere. There are no visitor facilities and no marked walk trails within the park. The wilderness value of the park offers superb opportunities for bushwalking and nature observation. An alternative way to see the park is by air, and a number of tours incorporating flights over the Drysdale River area are available from Kununurra and Wyndham.
Fitzgerald River National Park
The Fitzgerald River National Park is situated half way between Albany (180km) and Esperance (app. 350km), and 540km from Perth. It is one of Australia’s largest National Parks, an UNESCO recognized Biosphere Reserve with an extremely diverse Flora and Fauna, spectacular bays and beaches, rugged mountain ranges and beautiful rivers – still a very unspoiled Nature Lovers Paradise, a true Wilderness. Besides the natural beauty, there is unique Point Ann, a bay where during July to beginning of November the Southern Right Whales come to calve in large numbers, and can easily be observed from viewing platforms or right from the shore. This season, sometimes up to 40 Whales have been sighted in one day, some of them, especially mothers and calves, come as close as 10 to 20 metres to the beach. This is an iconic feature since there is only one other place, Head of Bight, SA, where these endangered mammals can be seen in a similar way. Also it is one of the most botanically significant places in Australia, world known by botanists all around the world. The stunning Wildflowers, many of them endemic to the area like the Qualup Bell( flowering from June to September) or the Hakea Victoria (can be seen all year round) together with numerous other species, offer all visitors, not only those with special botanical interest, beautiful sights. Besides the whale watching and nature studies, visitors can enjoy other activities like bush walking for all ages and skills, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, fishing and camping. West Mount Barren for example offers stunning views from a moderate walk trail winding up to its peak. The area is blessed with a moderate Mediterranean climate which is quite different to Albany and the lower South West, less drizzle, but concentrated, heavy rainfalls on some days in winter with long periods of very pleasant days and sunshine in between. Summer days are normally just pleasant, very few hot days and there are no regular strong winds as the west coast of WA experiences during some seasons. There is an impressive quote, that sums up the significance of this very special National Park: “The Fitzgerald River National Park is without doubt the most important Mediterranean ecosystem reserve in the world. It stands out for its scientific, conservation and educational values in the same way that the Galapagos Islands do.” Baron Dr. Bernd von Droste, Head of World Heritage Bureau, UNESCO Paris.
Forest Grove National Park
Located between Margaret River and Augusta, this new park is - 1 400 ha. It is rich in flora species and contains a number of vegetation complexes that are not well reserved.
Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park lies 10 kilometres from Denham, 340 kilometres from Carnarvon and 410 kilometres from Geraldton. Named after the French zoologist who accompanied the Nicolas Baudin scientific expedition to southern and western Australia in 1801, the Francois Peron National Park covers some 52,500 hectares at the northern extreme of the Peron Peninsula. Under the care of the Department of Conservation and Land Management, this area has become one of the most important natural areas in Australia and is home to many rare and endangered species. The park is in the midst of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and is adjacent to the Shark Bay Marine Park. The park was once a pastoral station, and you can reach the old homestead by two-wheel-drive (entry fees are payable) to experience what life would have been like on a remote sheep station. Beyond the homestead is a wilderness area. You need a four-wheel-drive to visit Peron's scenic coastline with dramatic contrasts of red cliffs, blue water and white beaches. From the cliffs of Cape Peron visitors may see bottlenose dolphins playing, dugongs feeding, green and loggerhead turtles surfacing for air and large manta rays gliding past just beneath the surface. The park and the rest of the peninsula is interspersed with gypsum claypans known as birridas. Most birridas were landlocked saline lakes when sea levels were much higher than at present, and gypsum was deposited on the lake floors. In some places the sea has invaded the claypans, such as at Big Lagoon, to form a shallow inland bay. The area was used by pearlers in the late 1800s and old pearl shells still litter the beach at Herald Bight, the site of a pearling camp.
Frank Hann National Park
150km north-east of Ravensthorpe. Located in the Southern Coast of Western Australia, The Frank Hann National Park offers a spectacular range of flora.
Geikie Gorge National Park
Geikie Gorge National Park is 20 kilometres (20 minutes) from Fitzroy Crossing (nearest town) and 280 kilometres from Derby. In Western Australia' s far north Kimberley Region, the flood waters of the Fitzroy River have carved the 30-metre-deep Geikie Gorge through the limestone at the junction of the Oscar and Geikie Ranges. During the wet season, the Fitzroy River rises about 16.5 metres, staining the walls of the gorge and flooding the national park with seven metres of water. In the dry, between April and November, the river transforms itself into a quiet stream strung out beneath the towering cliffs of the Devonian reef. Unlike modern reefs—which are built by corals—algae and a group of now extinct lime-secreting organisms built the bulk of this reef. Ranging from atolls of a few hectares to hundreds of square kilometres, the reef platforms grew close to sea level, rising 200 metres or more above the sea floor. As the ocean floor slowly subsided over the 50 million years of the Devonian period, the reef-building organisms were able to keep pace, building up and up until, in places, the reef became more than two kilometres thick. The limestone ranges, formed from the ancient barrier reef, wind across the country between 50 and 100 metres above the surrounding plains, in much the same way that the reef would have reared above the Devonian sea floor. From the air, it's easy to imagine that the sea has just withdrawn, leaving the reefs uncovered. Here, layers of fossils and the limestone strata of an ancient reef are exposed in cross section, showing glimpses of life in the Devonian period before reptiles or mammals evolved.
Gloucester National Park
About 3 km from Pemberton. The Gloucester Tree, in Gloucester National Park, is probably Western Australia's most famous karri tree. This 60-metre-high giant towers above the forest surrounding Pemberton. In the past, foresters maintained a regular fire lookout from its lofty crown. Today, visitors climb to the cabin in its upper branches for sensational views of the surrounding karri forest. The Gloucester Tree, in Gloucester National Park, is probably Western Australia's most famous karri tree. This 60-metre-high giant towers above the forest surrounding Pemberton. In the past, foresters maintained a regular fire lookout from its lofty crown. Today, visitors climb to the cabin in its upper branches for sensational views of the surrounding karri forest. The Gloucester Tree was one of eight lookout trees built between 1937 and 1952 in the karri forest. The construction of fire lookout towers in the tallest trees of Western Australia's karri forest was the practical response to one of the most serious threats to forest communities in the South-West -- fire. The Gloucester Tree lookout was built in 1947, in the highest of the tall karri trees near Pemberton. The floor of its cabin sits 58 metres above the ground. The tree was one of a group on a ridge overlooking the Eastbrook in an area that had not been logged when timber cutting operations of the Pemberton Sawmill passed through. Conveniently located just three kilometres from Pemberton, it gives a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.
Goldfields Woodlands National Park
60 km west of Coolgardie along the Great Eastern Highway and south of Coolgardie on the Victoria Rock Rd. It runs for another 40 km beside the road. The Goldfields Woodlands National Park straddles the Great Eastern Highway 60 km west of Coolgardie, running for another 40 km beside the road. It is part of a 152,500 ha conservation reserve network that includes Boorabbin NationalPark to the west, Victoria Rock Nature Reserveand a special management area to the south and east. These reserves add to a linear network of other conservation reserves 400 km long from Jilbadgi Nature Reserve in the south through the Jaurdi Conservation Reserve to theCALM-managed Mt Elvire reserve and Mt Manning Range Nature Reserve in the north. They form an important part of the conservation estate east of the Wheatbelt. An additional area of 142,140 ha to the south is proposed to be added to the national parkland a further 10,000 ha to the other conservation reserves. This will create a conservation reserve network of more than 311,000 ha. The reserves are within the Coolgardie biogeographic region. They complete the comprehensive adequate and representative (CAR) network of conservation reserves for the Boorabbin vegetation system within the Coolgardie bio region. The area has significant conservation values. It includes a diversity of landforms and vegetation types such as sandplains, freshwater swamps, salt lakes with saltbushand samphire surrounds, uncut and regrowth eucalypt woodlands and granite complexes. The area contains a wide variety of original stands and regrowth areas of eucalypts including salmon gum, gimlet, ribbon-barkedgum, mallees, red morrel, redwood and woodline mallee. There also is a range of other native flora including wattles, banksia, bottlebrush, hakeas, melaleucas, sheoaks, sandalwood and grasstrees. Many of these were the source of bush tucker for Aboriginal people who used the area. The park and associated conservation reserves provide visitors travelling by road from the east with their first views of the State's spectacular spring and summer wildflower displays of the kwongan sandplain heaths.
Goongarrie National Park
Around 100 km North of Kalgoorlie. Pastoral station with cottages, shearing sheds, group camping
Greenmount National Park
Greenmount National Park is located in the Perth Metropolitan Region and is approximately fifty six hectares. Twenty six kilometres east of Perth (off Great Eastern Highway). Access is via the Great Eastern Highway, Darling Road, Oxley Road, Padbury Road. Sealed roads. Padbury Road terminates in park. Public transport passes along Darlington Road one kilometre east of Perth. The Park embraces Greenmount Hill. Extensive views over coastal plain and Perth. Slopes of hill are steep with small breakaways. Vegetation is predominantly Marri and Wandoo with a good variety of wildflowers, open heathland on northern slopes. The fauna is restricted to lizards, Bandicoots and micro fauna. A number of species of birds inhabit the park while others range in the area. No camping, no facilities for picnicking available and no fires allowed. Walking is allowed within the proximity of the sealed road which is easy. Other areas are steep.
Hassell National Park
The site is important for the maintenance of on going ecological processes. This relatively intact vegetation corridor is therefore of considerable significance to the region. The site has been identified as an important inland vegetation and wildlife corridor from the Waychinicup and Mt Manypeaks area to the Cheyne Bay and Pallinup River areas.
Helena National Park
1 hour 20 minutes from Perth. Follow Brookton Highway from Kelmscott for 47km. Turn left into Ashendon Road and then turn right into Dale Road (6km). Follow Dale Road to Mount Dale. Located to the east of Lake CY Connor and south-east of Mundaring Weir around the Mount Dale area, this 8000-hectare park includes the popular recreation site of Mount Dale. Mount Dale was once the site of a fire lookout tower as it provides almost uninterrupted 360° views over the National Park and surrounding State Forest areas. The lower recreation site at Mount Dale has been upgraded and now provides a pleasant spot for family picnics. The Bibbulmun Track, which runs from Kalamunda to Albany, travels close-by to Mount Dale and the lower recreation area provides an ideal drop-off/pick-up point for walkers using the Bibbulmun Track. An animal viewing hide has been constructed on the north side of Mount Dale and provides spectacular views over the Helena National Park and the Darkin River Valley. The animal viewing hide was a joint project between DEC and the Darling Range Branch of the WA Naturalist’s Club.
John Forrest National Park
28 km east of Perth. John Forrest National Park is one of Australia's oldest conservation areas and Western Australia's first national park. The area was first established in 1898 as a reserve to conserve its many natural and cultural features. It became John Forrest National Park in 1947, in honour of the famous WA explorer and statesman. In the early 1900s, visitors came from Perth by rail and alighted from their trains at Hovea Station, a short distance from Hovea Falls, to enjoy a 'day in the bush'. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, sustenance workers built steps, ornamental gardens, walls, footpaths, picnic shelters and swimming areas. The park soon became a sanctuary for city dwellers and remains so for many people today.
Kalamunda National Park
25 km from Perth. This 375-hectare national park is notable for its diversity of native plants. Piesse Brook runs through the park and the rising slopes of its valley are covered with an open woodland of jarrah, marri, wandoo and butter gum. Butter gum is an uncommon species with a powdery bark; because of its white bark it is sometimes called Darling Range ghost gum. The heath plants of the understorey flower profusely in late winter and spring. There are several waltrails through the park, including the first stage of the Bibbulmun Track, a long-distance walktrail from Perth to Albany.
Kalbarri National Park
The national park boundary is 533 kilometres from Perth. Kalbarri townsite is another 57 kilometres to the west. Kalbarri National Park covers 183 004 hectares. The park is located on the lower reaches of the Murchison River, which has cut magnificent red and white banded gorges for 80 kilometres, as it carves its way to the sea. The many and varied features of Kalbarri provide visitors with an array of things to see and do. Marvel at nature's ability to carve the landscape. Explore the depths and heights of the river gorges and sea cliffs. Admire the floral beauty of the vast, rolling sandplains. Discover the intriguing cultural history of the area.
Karijini National Park
310 km from Roebourne and 1400 km from Perth. Karijini (formerly Hamersley Range) National Park is the second largest national park in WA. A party led by explorer F.T. Gregory explored the area in 1861. He named the Hamersley Range, on which the park is centred, after his friend Edward Hamersley. Situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the park's climate can best be described as tropical semi-desert. A highly variable, mainly summer rainfall of 250–350 mm, often associated with thunderstorms and cyclones, is accompanied by temperatures frequently topping 40 degrees Celsius. The ideal times to visit the park are late autumn, winter and early spring. Winter days are warm and clear, but nights are cold and sometimes frosty. Karijini National Park protects many different wildlife habitats, landscapes, plants and animals of the Pilbara. Wildflowers vary with the seasons. In the cooler months the land is covered with yellow-flowering cassias and wattles, northern bluebells and purple mulla-mullas. After rain many plants bloom profusely. It is also home to a variety of birds, red kangaroos and euros, rock-wallabies, echidnas and several bat species. Geckos, goannas, dragons, legless lizards, pythons and other snakes are abundant. Huge termite mounds are a feature of the landscape and the rock piles of the rare pebble mound mouse may be found in spinifex country. In the north of Karijini National Park, small creeks hidden in the rolling hillsides—dry for most of the year—suddenly plunge into sheer-sided chasms up to 100 metres deep. These are the Park's famous gorges. They are spectacular but can be extremely dangerous. Further downstream, the gorges widen and their sides change from sheer cliffs to steep slopes of loose rock. Rocks exposed at the gorges originated as fine grained sediment which accumulated on an ancient sea floor 2,500 million years ago. At this time, the atmosphere contained much less oxygen and the only forms of life were simple bacteria and algae. Many of these sediments laid down in the oceans were rich in iron and silica. Over hundreds of millions of years, the iron-rich deposits were transformed by the pressure of further sediments laid down over them, and they gradually turned into tough well-bedded rock. The gorges were eroded when a sharp drop in sea level caused the rivers to downcut rapidly—a process enhanced by the onset of a more arid climate, which depleted the protective vegetation cover on the valley sides. In Dales Gorge, a stream, pools, waterfalls, and ferns contrast with the red, terraced cliffs weathered by centuries of exposure. The occasional snappy gum can be seen perched on rocky ledges. But every gorge is different, and each one is worth a visit. At Oxer Lookout, the junction of Weano, Red, Hancock and Joffre Gorges, tiers of banded rock tower over a pool at the bottom of the gorge. To explore these gorges you must be fit and prepared to submerge in near-freezing water, follow narrow paths and cling to rock ledges. The Park is the traditional home of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal people. The Banyjima name for the Hamersley Range is Karijini. Evidence of their early occupation dates back more than 20,000 years. During that period, Aboriginal land management practices such as 'fire stick farming', resulting in a diversity of vegetation types and stages of succession, have helped determine the nature of the plants and animals found in the park today. Karijini Visitor Centre, walking, sightseeing, photography, camping, swimming, nature observation. If you decide to tackle any of the walks within the park, please take great care—the gorges can be extremely hazardous. Many of them are only recommended for the physically fit and you must notify a ranger before starting any of the longer ones.
Kennedy Range National Park
About 1120 km north of Perth and 150 km east of Carnarvon. Just north of Gascoyne Junction, in the harsh and unforgiving interior of the State's north-west, lie the spectacular sandstone battlements of the Kennedy Range. This huge mesa, pushed up from an ancient sea bed, has dominated the surrounding plains for millions of years. The Kennedy Range is an eroded plateau on the rim of the Gascoyne River catchment, about 150 kilometres east of Carnarvon. It extends for roughly 195 kilometres in a northerly direction from near Gascoyne Junction. The park offers spectacular scenery of gorges and precipitous faces, with a vast plateau of ancient dunefields on top of the range. The area still retains a wilderness feeling, and camping beneath the stark sandstone cliffs is an experience not to be missed.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Cape Naturaliste, the northernmost point in the park, is 36 km from Busselton and 261 km from Perth. Rugged sea cliffs, windswept granite headlands, and formations such as Canal Rocks and Sugarloaf Rock dominate the coastline of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, which stretches 120 km from Bunker Bay in the north to Augusta in the south. Most roads in the area are sealed. Gravel roads are usually suitable for two wheel drive vehicles. You can see humpback and southern right whales from various vantage points along the coast and bushwalking attracts people right into the heart of the park. At Canal Rocks, in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, the granitic rocks which jut out into the ocean are separated by a series of canals that have been hollowed out by the sea. Between Cowaramup Bay and Karridale, the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park features some of its most rugged and inaccessible coastline. Facing due west, the coastal cliffs and rocky shoreline bear the brunt of giant ocean swells generated across thousands of miles of ocean by the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds. Punctuated along the coast are scenic lookouts from which to marvel at the ocean's beauty and power. One of the loveliest spots to visit is the historic homestead at Ellensbrook, which is managed by the National Trust.
Lesmurdie Falls National Park
22 km east of Perth. The Lesmurdie Brook flows through the centreof the park and tumbles 50 metres over the sheer face of the Darling Scarp. In winter, when rains swell the brook, the waterfall pours over the stream's granite bedrock. On a clear day, from lookout points on the steep walkways that wander through the park, the flat land of the coastal plain sweeps the eye out over Perth city to Rottnest Island on the western horizon. On the steep slopes of this 56-hectare reserve are extensive areas of heath vegetation, with pockets of wandoo, marri and jarrah trees.
Lesueur National Park
250 km north of Perth - Access to the park is by 4WD only. The Mount Lesueur area's strikingly eroded laterite landscape was once dismissed as worthless scrubland, useless to farmers and pastoralists. But it has long been a mecca for botanists, and is now protected in the 26,987-hectare Lesueur National Park. The Lesueur National Park, east of Jurien Bay in the northern sandplains, has spectacular landforms underlain by complex geological features. Its exceptionally diverse flora of more than 820 species includes many plants found nowhere else in the world, and represents 10 per cent of the State's known flora. Five species are endangered and several more may warrant similar status. Together with the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River national parks, Lesueur is one of the most significant areas for flora conservation in south-western Australia. At least 124 bird species also rely on this flora, and the area is critically important to the survival of hole-nesting species such as Carnaby's black-cockatoo.
Millstream-Chichester National Park
The park is 150 kilometres from Roebourne in the remote Pilbara region. Most of the 200,000 hectare Millstream-Chichester National Park is a landscape of rolling hills, spectacular escarpments and winding tree-lined watercourses. The Chichester Range rises sharply from the coastal plain and includes rocky peaks, tranquil gorges, and hidden rock pools such as Python pool. Scattered white-barked gums and spiky spinifex clumps cover the stony plateau, which gradually slopes down to the bed of the Fortescue River. In the midst of this landscape is the remarkable oasis of Millstream, where fresh water springs from an aquifer to create the lushly tropical Chinderwarriner Pool. Paperbark and palm trees surround this deep pool on the Fortescue River. The park's shady camping areas near deep pools at Crossing Pool and Deep Reach attract tourists and locals all year round, but winter is the best time to visit. The cool season between May and August, experiences little rain, with day time temperatures around 26ß Celcius. The area has an interesting cultural history. It has long been a focal point for the Yinjibarndi people and was an active pastoral station for more than 100 years. Previously two separate parks, the area was expanded into one park in 1982, and it has significant natural, recreational and cultural values. The broad area of land straddling the Fortescue River, from the Hamersley Range through to the Chichester escarpment is the homeland of the Yinjibarndi people. Ngarrari (Millstream) was an important camp site for inter-tribal meetings. Visitors camped beside Chinderwarriner Pool, where they feasted on fresh fish and edible plant roots, harvested wood for spears and collected rocks for ritual purposes. Today the Yinjibarndi people maintain close ties with their land and have been trained and employed as rangers and contract workers. Millstream was named in 1861 by the explorer F T Gregory, who reported its favourable grazing prospects. The pastoral lease, first taken up in 1865 changed hands several times before Les Gordon assumed management of the property in 1923. In its heyday the station covered more than 400,000 hectares and ran 55,000 sheep. The homestead which now houses the visitor centre, was built in 1919 and was home to the Gordon family until 1964.
Mirima National Park
Mirima National Park is only two kilometres north of Kununurra and covers 2,068 hectares. Well signposted access via Barrington Avenue and Hidden Valley. Mirima National Park, on the outskirts of Kununurra, has spectacular rock formations. Mirima is the name given to the area by the Miriuwung people, who still live in the region and consider this area to be especially significant to their culture. It is also aptly known as the "Hidden Valley". The park is a day use area only, popular for sightseeing, walking, photography and nature observation. In daylight, the steep, broken walls of rock come alive as they reflect the tones of changing light.
Mount Augustus National Park
Mount Augustus is 490 kilometres from Carnarvon via Gascoyne Junction and 360 kilometres from Meekatharra. Mount Augustus, or Burringurrah as it is known by the local Wadjari Aboriginal people, is about 850 kilometres from Perth and midway between the Great Northern and North West Coastal highways. One of the most spectacular solitary peaks in the world, it rises 717 metres above a stony, red sandplain of arid shrubland—dominated by wattles, cassias and eremophilas—and is clearly visible from the air for more than 160 kilometres. The rock itself, which culminates in a small peak on a plateau, is about eight kilometres long and covers an area of 4,795 hectares. At about twice the size of Uluru [Ayers Rock] it is the biggest 'rock' in the world.
Mount Frankland National Park
Mount Frankland is 28 kilometres from Walpole via North Walpole Road and Frankland Road. From the South Western Hwy, turn east at Beadmore Road and continue until you reach Frankland Road. Mount Frankland National Park is situated north of Walpole and covers an area of approximately 31,000 hectares. The park contains a mix of karri, jarrah and tingle forest as well as expanses of treeless heathland. It is also part of the Walpole Wilderness Area and parts of the park are rugged and wild, with limited access. Mount Frankland is the dominant feature of the park and offers sweeping views of the surrounding karri, tingle and jarrah forests.
Mundaring National Park
40km from Perth on Mundaring Weir Road, just before the Mundaring Weir (when coming from Mundaring). Situated to the west of Mundaring Weir Road in the Shires of Mundaring and Kalamunda, this beautiful 3000-hectare park includes the popular recreation sites of Fred Jacoby Park, South Ledge, North Ledge, Farrell Grove, The Dell, Gungin Gully, Pimelia Mycumbene and Grevillea Mycumbene.
Nambung National Park (Pinnacles)
Located on the Swan Coastal Plain, 245 kilometres north of Perth, 260 kilometres south of Geraldton. Nambung National Park features beautiful beaches, coastal dune systems, shady groves of tuart trees and low heathland rich in flowering plants. The vegetation bursts into flower from August to October, creating a memorable spectacle for visitors. In the midst of this diversity is one of Australia's most fascinating areas - the Pinnacles Desert, one of Australia's best known landscapes. Here, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands, resembling a landscape from a science fiction movie. The park is a comfortable day trip from Perth. The first known European recording of the Nambung area dates back to 1658, when the North and South Hummocks first appeared on Dutch maps. The Hummocks were also mentioned in navigator Philip Parker King's journal in about 1820. Nambung is an Aboriginal word that means crooked or winding and it was from this river that the park was named. The Pinnacles Desert remained relatively unknown until the late 1960s, when the Department of Lands and Surveys agreed to add the area to the already existing national park, which had been established in 1956. Today the park is visited by approximately 150,000 visitors, from all over the world, each year. In the Pinnacles Desert, right in the heart of Nambung National Park, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise out of a stark landscape of yellow sand. In places they reach up to three and a half metres tall. Some are jagged, sharp-edged columns, rising to a point; while others resemble tombstones.
Neerabup National Park
27 km north of Perth on Wanneroo Road. As you travel north from Perth to Yanchep National Park you pass a long, thin, and seemingly ordinary, piece of Australian bush. But if you stop and venture beyond the first few metres of banksias or tuarts, you will find a relatively undisturbed example of coastal plain vegetation, preserved in Neerabup National Park. Neerabup National Park, about 27 kilometres north of Perth along the western side of Wanneroo Road, is a long, narrow piece of bushland stretching only about 12 kilometres. But this small park is still able to provide a feeling of tranquillity and isolation in an ever-expanding urban world. The 1069-hectare park follows an old stock route, which in turn follows part of an ancient Aboriginal migration route between Lake Joondalup, in the Yellagonga Regional Park, and Loch McNess, in Yanchep National Park. The route also forms the basis for the 28 kilometre Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail, developed in 1988 as one of a network of heritage trails marking the Australian Bicentenary. The park has no prominent features, such as lakes, mountains or streams, and no formal recreational areas, such as picnic sites, within its boundaries. Access is by foot, as there are no roads or car parks. But despite its lack of formal recreation facilities, there are plenty of opportunities for quiet recreation. In spring, for example, the whole area comes alive with stunning displays of wildflowers, accompanied by the clamorous songs of countless birds.
Ngauwudu Management Area (Mitchell Plateau)
The park lies in some of the most remote and inaccessible coutnry in Australia. It is about 350 km north-east of Derby, 270 km north-west of Wyndham. Access is via the 4WD only Mitchell Plateau Track from Kalumburu Road, 172 km north of the Gibb River Road junction. Mitchell River National Park comes under the term Ngauwudu Management Area and is one of the Kimberley's two newest national parks. The park of 115,300 hectares lies in a remote part of the Kimberley and contains some of the region's scenic jewels. The Mitchell River, flowing northwards, drains into Walmsley Bay and Admiralty Gulf, carving gorges and waterfalls into the underlying sandstone, particularly along the margins of the Mitchell Plateau. The fan palm is a conspicuous feature of the vegetation of some parts of the plateau, an elevated laterite-capped plain. This is one of the few places in WA where palms are such a dominant feature. The Mitchell Plateau is one of the most scenic and biologically important areas of the State. Small patches of rainforest grow around the margins of the plateau, where they are protected from fire and receive additional moisture. Open woodlands of grey box, white gum and other trees and shrubs grow around the valleys and creeks. Pandanus and paperbarks line the watercourses. Up to 50 mammal species, 220 bird species and 86 kinds of reptiles and amphibians may occur in the area, including the saltwater crocodile, death adder, king brown and taipan.
Peak Charles National Park
202 kilometres north west of Esperance. Ancient granite peaks, heaths, salt lake systems, bird life
Porongurup National Park
40 km north of Albany via Chester Pass Road, Mount Barker-Porongurup Road and Bolganup Road. Porongurup National Park covers 2,511 hectares. The name of the range is derived from the Aboriginal name Purringorep, which was recorded by Captain Wakefield, who led the first expedition to the range. His Aboriginal guides Mokare and Nakina told him of this name. The granite domes of Porongurup National Park rise over the plain 40 kilometres north of Albany. Twelve kilometres long and 670 metres at its highest point, the Porongurup Range is renowned for its beauty. The granite from which the Porongurup Range is formed is more than 1,100 million years old, and has been exposed by slow weathering of the softer rocks surrounding the range. Most native mammals are nocturnal, but you may see western grey kangaroos and brush wallabies. The main picnic area near the Tree in the Rock is a haven for birds such as the rufous treecreeper and brilliantly-coloured scarlet and yellow robins. Many unusual rock formations make the range a fascinating place for bush rambles. Footpaths lead to several peaks, other paths cross the range and a nature trail leads through the forest near Tree in the Rock picnic area. This site, set among the karri trees, almost has the feel of a cathedral, with the towering karris providing the domed roof. The tree in the rock after which the site has been named is just 100 metres along a shaded walk. Extending its roots down through a crevice, this mature karri clings to existence on a granite boulder. As well as the beauty of the moss-covered granite rocks and the lush forest, the views from the Porongurup Range are magnificent. From the peaks and other vantage points the Stirling Range is clearly visible to the north and, on a clear day, you can see the Southern Ocean.
Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle)
The turn-off to the park is 250 km south of Kununurra or 109 km north of Halls Creek. The park access road is accessible only to four-wheel-drive vehicles. The Bungle Bungle Range, in Purnululu National Park, is one of the most fascinating geological landmarks in Western Australia. From an aircraft, the Bungle Bungle Range is an imposing sight. The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible as you approach from the south. As you sweep further over the range a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed, with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks. Although the Bungle Bungle Range was extensively used by Aboriginal people during the wet season, when plant and animal life was abundant, few Europeans knew of its existence until the mid-1980s. The area has been a national park since 1987 and its unique appearance has captured the public imagination. The park offers a remote wilderness experience. There are few facilities and no accommodation; visitors must carry in all food and water. Most visitors camp for several days so it is essential to be well equipped.
Rudall River National Park
The park is 420 km from Marble Bar and 260 km from Newman. At 1,283,706 hectares, the Rudall River National Park is the largest national park in Western Australia and one of the largest in the world. In fact, it is more than two-and-a-half times a large as the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. But as well as being so vast, it is also one of the most remote places in the world. The park sits on the boundary between the Great Sandy and Little Sandy Deserts and includes the watershed of the Rudall River. Salt lakes, which are part of a palaeodrainage system, are characteristic of these desert regions. Lakes Dora, Blanche, Winifred, George and Auld form a U-shaped group east of Rudall River, with only Lakes Dora and Blanche lying inside the park boundary. Lake Dora is 198 metres above sea level and it is only for a short time after particularly heavy rains that there is any appreciable quantity of surface water in this or any of the other lakes. Sand dunes cover much of the desert areas in the eastern and south-western parts of the park. They form parallel ridges of between 20-40 metres high, trending mainly south-east to north-west, lying between 200 metres and six kilometres apart and often extending for more than 40 kilometres in length. The central rocky area, between the two desert areas, is flatter and it is here where the main tracks cross the park: from Telfer in the north to the Talawana Track in the south, and westwards from the Rudall River crossing to Hanging Rock, on the western boundary of the park.
Scott National Park
15 km north east of Augusta, 60km from Busselton. Fresh water is NOT available. All supplies should be taken, especially ample supplies of drinking water.
Serpentine National Park
26 km south of Armadale, off South West Highway into Falls Road. Serpentine National Park, best known for the waterfall that cascades over a sheer granite face, abounds with the scenic beauty of ancient landforms and verdant forest. These features, together with its close proximity to Perth, have attracted visitors for almost 100 years. It is also a sanctuary for an array of plants and animals. Serpentine National Park is sitting pretty on the Darling Scarp, about 50 kilometres south-east of Perth. The scarp is at the western edge of a huge ancient plateau that is the foundation of much of the south-western part of Australia. It is composed mainly of granite, with some dolerite, gneisses and quartzites up to 2500 million years old. An overlying capping of laterite rock formed about 10 million years ago, when wetter and more humid conditions leached minerals from the soil to form a hard, insoluble crust. Set in a naturally beautiful cleft at the foot of the scarp, the park stretches up the steep slopes of the Serpentine River valley, past a sheer face of granite polished smooth by the rushing waters. Here, in winter, the white waters of the Serpentine River cascade into a swirling, rock-rimmed pool below. Serpentine Falls has been one of the focal points of the area since the early European settlers came in droves to swim, picnic and enjoy a day out in the bush.
Shannon National Park
3 km south-east of Manjimup. Shannon National Park is set in some of the most magnificent karri country in Western Australia's southern forest. The park covers the entire basin of the Shannon River, from its headwaters to the Southern Ocean. The park covers 53,500 hectares, including old growth and regrowth karri forests and biologically-rich heathlands and wetlands. Information shelters tell the story of the Shannon, or you can listen on your radio to the park broadcasts at signposted stops around the Great Forest Trees Drive. There are also camping and walking opportunities within the park.
Stirling Range National Park
The park is about 100 km north-east of Albany via Chester Pass Road. The brooding beauty of the mountain landscape, its stunning and unique wildflowers and the challenge of climbing Bluff Knoll have long drawn bushwalkers and climbers to the Stirling Range National Park. At 1,095 metres above sea level, Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the south-west of Western Australia. The main face of the bluff forms one of the most impressive cliffs in the Australian mainland. It takes three to four hours to complete the six-kilometre return climb. The jagged peaks of the Stirling Range stretch for 65 kilometres from east to west. The rocks of the range were once sands and silts deposited in the delta of a river flowing into a shallow sea. Deposited over many millions of years, these layers of sediment became so thick and heavy that, in combination with unimaginable forces stretching the Earth's crust in the area, they caused the crust in the area to sink. As the surface subsided, still more sediment was deposited in the depression which was left. The final thickness of sediment is believed to be over 1.6 kilometres! As the sediment built up, so did the pressure on the layers below. The water was forced out of these layers, which solidified to become rocks known as sandstones and shales. Buried deep in the Earth's crust, the rocks which form today's Stirling Range were gradually exposed over millions of years as the surrounding rocks were worn away by the forces of weathering (chemical breakdown) and erosion (physical removal of material by water, wind and gravity). It was during this process that the current form of the range was sculpted.
Stokes National Park
80 km west of Esperance. Stokes Inlet, in the 10,667-hectare Stokes National Park, is one of the most picturesque and interesting estuaries along Western Australia's southern coast. East of Albany, where rainfall and river flow are small, Stokes is the largest estuary and one of few that always hold water while their bars stay closed, often for years at a time. The inlet lies in a relatively deep valley with high dunes on either side. Dense bush and shady paperbark trees grow right to the beaches along the water's edge. With an area of 14 square kilometres, Stokes Inlet is the largest of a number of estuaries around Esperance and the only one with reasonably deep water. The Young and the Lort Rivers flow into the upper reaches of the inlet but, when the water level is low in summer, they are cut off from the lagoon by a wide river delta. The mouth of the estuary lies in the middle of Dunster Castle Bay. It is closed by a high sand bar which cuts the estuary off from the sea and only breaks every few years, and then only for a few weeks. As a result, salinity and water level in the estuary vary greatly with river flow and evaporation.
Tathra National Park
300km from Perth 35km east from Eneabba, 45km west from Carnamah, along the Carnamah-Eneabba Rd. Tathra National Park is 4322 hectares and features low heath on rolling sandplains renowned for their incredible diversity of endemic wildflowers. The name 'tathra' is derived from the Nyungar Aborigingal word for 'beautiful place'. This open sandy country is called the ‘kwongan'. The kwongan contains over 2600 species of plants, over 70% of the species in southern Western Australia. Many kwongan species have specialised adaptations to grow in the low nutrient soils of this region and have deep root systems to obtain sub-surface moisture and specialised feeder roots in the humus layer. Peas and sheoaks have root nodules that contain bacteria to fix nitrogen. Most species use fungi to aid nutrient uptake, either inside or surrounding the root sheath. Some plants are carnivorous - the droseras (sundews), or parasitic - quandong and nuytsia trees. Most plants have woody fruits to protect against fire, a food attractant to large cockatoos. The magnificent floral display in spring indicates that many plants rely on birds for pollination. A large quantity of large and vibrant coloured flowers are required to satisfy their nectar requirements. The biggest threat to these plants is the spread of dieback, a soil borne fungus that prevents the uptake of nutrients and moisture.
Torndirrup National Park
10 km south of Albany across Princess Royal Harbour. There is well signposted road access via Frenchman Bay Road. Sealed roads lead to all major features. At Torndirrup National Park, the Southern Ocean has sculpted a Natural Bridge in the coastal granites and formed The Gap, where the waves rush in and out with tremendous ferocity. The Blowholes, a crackline in the granite, 'blows' air and occasionally spray. The noise is quite impressive. Windswept coastal heaths give way to massive granite outcrops, sheer cliffs and steep sandy slopes and dunes. The area was one of the first in the State to be gazetted as a national park, in 1918, though it was not named until 1969 and acquired its first resident ranger in 1973. Torndirrup was the name of the Aboriginal clan that lived on the peninsula and to the west of what is now Albany.
Tuart Forest National Park
15 km north-east of Busselton - look for the Tuart Forest Scenic Drive signs. The narrow strip of tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) forest that links Capel and Busselton is one of the special places of the South-West. The majestic tuart tree grows only on coastal limestone 200 kilometres on either side of Perth. The 2,049-hectare Tuart Forest National Park protects the largest remaining pure forest of tuart in the world. It also has the tallest and largest specimens of tuart trees on the Swan Coastal Plain. Some trees are more than 33 metres high and 10 metres in girth. Tuart Forest National Park is a day-use area, with a number of beautiful scenic drives. In the open glades of the forest there are many attractive picnic sites, roadside stops and scenic drives to enjoy.
Tunnel Creek National Park
Tunnel Creek National Park covers just 91 hectares. It is 115 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing, 180 kilometres from Derby, 30 kilometres south-east of Windjana Gorge. Western Australia's oldest cave system, in Tunnel Creek National Park, is famous as a hideout used late last century by an Aboriginal leader known as Jandamarra. He was killed outside its entrance in 1897. Tunnel Creek flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range, part of the 375 to 350 million-year-old Devonian Reef system . You can walk 750 metres through the tunnel to the other side of Napier Range, wading through several permanent pools and watching for bats and the stalactites that descend from the roof in many places. At least five species of bat live in the cave, including ghost bats and fruit bats, and stalactites descend from the roof in many places. Freshwater crocodiles are occasionally found in the pools. Take a torch, wear sneakers and be prepared to get wet and possibly cold.
Walpole-Nornalup National Park
The park surrounds the towns of Walpole, Nornalup and Peaceful Bay. Walpole-Nornalup National Park occupies a unique high-rainfall corner of Western Australia and surrounds the towns of Walpole, Nornalup and Peaceful Bay. Part of the Walpole Wilderness area, it contains nearly 20,000 hectares of diverse vegetation, from towering karri and tingle forests to coastal heath and wetlands. Walpole-Nornalup National Park contains many pristine forests and areas with little evidence of human activity. The rugged coastline, peaceful inlets and rivers are a major feature of the park's beauty. The park is probably best known for the huge buttressed red tingle trees, which are unique to the Walpole area.
Walyunga National Park
40 km north-east of Perth, and 20 km north of Midland along the Great Northern Highway. Walyunga National Park lies in the Darling Range, just behind the Darling Scarp, and covers both sides of a steep valley. Just to the east of the park, in the picturesque Avon Valley, the Avon River joins the Brockman River to form the Swan River. The river runs through the centre of the park, forming a string of placid pools along the valley floor in summer, and a raging torrent with long series of rapids in winter. The latter provides one of the Australia's best white water canoeing courses and is part of the annual Avon Descent race each August. Outcrops of grey granite and occasional areas of darker dolerite can be seen along the valley sides, and waterworn boulders of both rock types lie in the stream bed. Red laterite caps the hill tops. The park is also known for sensational wildflowers in winter and spring, abundant native animals and rugged valley scenery. There is plenty of parking at the main picnic sites, as well as gas barbecues, which may be used free of charge. A vehicle entrance fee is payable and camping may be arranged with the ranger.
Wandoo National Park
80km from Perth along the Great Eastern Highway to The Lakes, then along Great Southern Highway (York Road). Turn right at the signs onto Catchment Road and follow the gravel road for about 1.5km. Situated between Great Southern Highway and Brookton Highway this 44,000-hectare national park features areas of wandoo forest and granite outcrops. The Mount Observation recreation site is situated off Great Southern Highway about 80km from Perth via The Lakes. A picnic area is located at Mount Observation. There are shaded picnic areas, wood barbecues, toilets and a wildlife viewing hide. The viewing hide was constructed with assistance from the Darling Range Branch of the WA Naturalist’s Club. The picnic area is situated amongst wandoo woodlands and a short walk trail leads from the picnic area to the animal viewing hide, which is located overlooking a winter flowing creek. During winter a wide variety of birds can be seen and heard in the area, amongst the creek line vegetation.
Warren National Park
15km from Pemberton. Warren National Park covers approximately 3,131 hectares and is a prime example of karri forest with trees reaching heights of a staggering 89 metres. The Warren River meanders through the park, with gullies and streams joining it throughout the region. Accessibility to this wonderful park has greatly improved within the last decade and has become a popular destination for tourists due to its natural beauty and attractions.
Watheroo National Park
200 kilometres north of Perth, 50 kilometres north of Moora and 10 kilometres east of Watheroo. Watheroo National Park covers a total span of 44,324 hectares and is home to the Jingemia Cave. Watheroo National Park is sandplain country which hosts an abundance of wildflowers, with the best season being between late July and early November. Low Creek borders the park to the east, flowing south to Moore River. Vegetation includes low sandplain Heath, Banksia and Malley thickets with tall Eucalypts on the West side of Park.
Waychinicup National Park
65 kilometres east of Albany. As well as boasting unspoilt coastal scenery, Waychinicup National Park, near Albany, is a vital areas for threatened animal species. In places, deeply incised gullies run down to the sea from bare rock exposures and boulder-strewn hilltops. Within these tree-filled gullies is a secret world of small streams, waterfalls and moss-covered boulders. Some rare and elusive animals have been isolated, yet protected, in these gullies by the fortunate combination of bare rock, moist gullies and almost impenetrable vegetation. Waychinicup National Park covers the lower reaches and estuary of the Waychinicup River and the line of granite outcrops extending east to Cheyne Beach.
Wellington National Park
Situated between Bunbury, Collie and Dardanup, the National Park covers an area of 17 000 ha. If you enjoy spending your summer days lazing by flowing rivers, relaxing on balmy summer evenings or recreating beside the tranquil waters of a lake or river, Wellington National Park is for you. You will equally enjoy the National Park if you prefer wondering through the forest on sunny winter days or snuggling at night by a cosy log fire. The Wellington National Park and proposed extensions consist of 17 000Ha of Western Australia's unique eucalypt forests of Jarrah, Marri and Yarri (Blackbutt). The icon and central feature of the Park is the beautiful Collie River Valley with its ancient valley gorge below the magnificent lake situated behind the Wellington Dam. Wellington National Park is ideally situated for day or overnight visits, being close to Perth and all other centres of the South West. The area is popular all year round with magnificent shows of wildflowers every spring; camping, cycling, swimming, fishing, marroning (in season only), rafting, canoeing or just relaxing.
West Cape Howe National Park
30 kilometres west of Albany. The West Cape Howe National Park covers the coastline from Lowlands beach to Forsythe Bluff. A diverse habitat ranging from karri/jarrah-marri forest, banksia & heath, all play an important role in this areas ecosystem. Fishing is a popular past-time of this area (normal regulations apply), with hang-gliders making the most of the powerful easterlies at Shelley Beach.
William Bay National Park
20 minutes from Denmark, 1 hour from Albany, 1 hour from Walpole. Located near the town of Denmark, Green's Pool in William Bay National Park is famous for its turquoise green waters and pristine white sandy beaches, edged by granite boulders. This area is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, relaxing or exploring the granite rocks. Enjoy the views of the tranquil bay and take a quiet walk around to Madfish Bay or Waterfall Beach. William Bay was named after Sir William Edward Parry RN, a famous British Arctic Explorer and navigator (1790-1855). It was probably named by either Stirling or Roe in the 1830s. Two other features (Parry Inlet and Edward Point) adjacent to William Bay were also named after Parry.
Windjana Gorge National Park
50 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing and 145 kilometres from Derby. The walls of Windjana Gorge rise abruptly from the wide alluvial floodplain of the Lennard River, reaching about 100 metres high in some places. The 3.5-kilometre long gorge cuts through the limestone of the Napier Range; part of an ancient barrier reef, which can also be seen at Geikie Gorge and Tunnel Creek National Parks. The Lennard River runs through the gorge in wet weather, but during the dry season it forms pools surrounded by trees and shrubs. The deep, moist soils of the riverbank support the tall broad-leaved leichardt tree, native figs and the paper-barked cadjeputs. These trees also provide shelter from the hot sun for many waterbirds, a colony of fruit bats and a large group of corellas. Freshwater crocodiles can often be seen in the pools.
Wolfe Creek Crater National Park
145 km from Halls Creek via the Tanami Road and access road (gravel and only accessible to conventional vehicles during the dry season). Although it has long been known to Aboriginal people, who called it Kandimalal, the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater was only discovered by Europeans in 1947, during an aerial survey. The Aboriginal Dreaming tells of two rainbow snakes who formed the nearby Sturt and Wolfe Creeks as they crossed the desert. The crater is believed to be the place where one snake emerged from the ground. This striking formation is now protected by a reserve. Wolfe Creek was named in 1889 after Robert Wolfe, a prospector and storekeeper of Halls Creek, who was chairman of the Kimberley Goldfields Roads Board. On the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and the extensive spinifex grasslands of the East Kimberley lies the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, the second largest crater in the world from which fragments of a meteorite have been collected. The crater is 880 metres across and almost circular. Today, the floor is about 60 metres below the rim, and is generally flat, but rises slightly in the centre. The porous gypsum found in this central area supports reasonably large trees and contains a number of sinkholes that may reflect the position of stress fractures formed by the impact from the meteorite. The crater is inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Among the broken rocks on the crater wall you may see a brown ringtail dragon stalking insects that frequent the flowering shrubs. These shrubs grow well along the crater rim, where moisture is contained beneath the rocks. Mammals are active at dawn and dusk, avoiding exposure during the heat of the day. Red kangaroos live in the area but are rarely seen. Although the dry desert conditions restrict the number of birds in the park, spectacular and noisy Major Mitchell cockatoos harvest seeds from the wattles and paperbarks of the crater floor. However, most visitors come to the park to marvel at the crater itself.
Yalgorup National Park
50 km south of Mandurah. Yalgorup National Park lies on the western edge of the Swan Coastal Plain just south of the new Dawesville Channel near Mandurah. The name Yalgorup is derived from two Nyoongar Aboriginal words; Yalgor, meaning 'a swamp or lake', and up, a suffix meaning 'a place'. It is a very appropriate name as the park protects 10 lakes that run in a chain.
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park is situated 51 kilometres north of Perth. Known as Perth's natural and cultural meeting place, Yanchep National Park offers daily tours of Crystal Cave, aboriginal cultural experiences (subject to availability), and boat tours on the picturesque Lake Wagardu. Enjoy BBQ and picnic facilities, row boat hire, scenic walk trails, koalas, kangaroos and an abundance of other native animals and plants in one of the state's oldest National Parks. Nestled in tuart and banksia woodlands, the park is home to many different water and bush birds including grebes, swans, pelicans, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, parrots, wrens and honeyeaters, to name a few. Endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoos are a spectacular daily sight. Western Grey kangaroos are commonly seen on the walk trails or grazing on the picnic lawns and golf course. The national park environment provides a unique setting to experience environmental and cultural activities that are informative and promote awareness about our natural areas. Visit McNess Visitors Centre for tour bookings and a wide range of souvenirs. Located only 45 minutes north of Perth's city centre you'll soon understand why Yanchep National Park attracts over 240,00 local, interstate and international visitors each year.
