National Parks along The South West Edge

The South West Edge is an adventure playground, jam packed full of beautiful national parks, towering forests, endless coastline and exciting wilderness experiences. The national parks scattered along The Edge all boast their own amazing drawcards, but one thing they all have in common is their peace, beauty and drama. Whether you’re wanting to climb mountains, explore beaches, experience the treetops, or see an abundance of wildflowers throughout Spring, head to these six national parks for the perfect wilderness escape along The Edge.

Wellington National Park

Wellington Dam has become a tad bit famous recently as a huge, larger than life mural now adorns its side. The dam is located within the beautiful Wellington National Park and is just one of the many attractions to add to your to do list. Wellington National Park covers over 17,000 hectares of forest comprising mainly jarrah, marri and blackbutt trees. This is the first national park you’ll be passing through along The Edge, and you’ll have a lot to tick off! Visit Honeymoon Pool for an idyllic picnic spot, head out on the water to go fishing, swimming, and kayaking, head into the forests to go bushwalking and follow hiking trails, and marvel over the panoramic views of the river and the valley from the dam look out. You can easily spend a whole day or even a weekend exploring this expansive national park.

Stirling Range National Park

The Stirling Range National Park is one of Western Australia’s biodiversity hotspots, with an incredibly impressive display of wildflowers during the Spring months – with more than 1,500 different species on show! The park is also home to one of the state’s highest peaks, Bluff Knoll. This is an epic climb, and one not for the faint hearted, but it comes with out of this word views. Did you know this is actually one of the few places in Western Australia that is lucky enough to occasionally get a flurry of snow?

If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you’ll be delighted with an abundance of species in the sky, while other common animals like kangaroos and wallabies also call this place home. The spectacular Stirling Range National Park will have you feeling like you’ve stepped onto another planet with the towering peaks and natural landscape surrounding you.

Fitzgerald River National Park

As you make your way east and continue your trip along The South West Edge, you’ll venture into the incredible Fitzgerald River National Park. This is another incredible place to see native flora, with 20% of Western Australia’s plant species in bloom right here. If you have a love for nature and a thirst for adventure, you’ll be excited by the group of coastal hills called The Barrens, each providing spectacular views of the park, spongelite cliffs, and the ocean. During the winter months, head to Point Ann to see southern right and humpback whales migrating along the coast. There are 2 camp locations within the park, both with very limited light pollution so you can experience a truly dark night sky and see an amazing sky full of stars.

Cape Le Grand National Park

Your last coastal stop along The Edge is Esperance, and slightly further around the coastline sits Cape Le Grand National Park. A place where kangaroos are known to laze around on the white beach sands, with an epic landscape behind them. Here you’ll find some incredibly white beach sands, turquoise blue ocean waters, and massive granite outcrops to climb and explore. Lucky Bay is where you’ll find the kangaroos that call the beach home, and if you camp at the nearby Lucky Bay Campsite, you might be lucky enough to have your morning coffee alongside the cute residents! If you’re looking for a hike with rewarding views, head up Frenchman’s Peak to experience panoramic views of the park, the ocean and everything in between. Otherwise, stick to ground level to explore the many beaches and bays throughout the national park to soak up the coastline before heading back inland along The Edge.

John Forrest National Park

On your way back to Perth, head to John Forrest National Park, one of Australia’s oldest conservation areas, and a fantastic place to jump out of the car and head off for a hike. There are plenty of bushwalking trails, cycling pathways, scenic drives, and some colorful wildflowers in bloom during wildflower season. In winter, you may be lucky enough to see the waterfalls flowing after some rainfall. Find a high vantage point to be rewarded with incredible scenic views of the surrounding Perth hills as well as the Perth CBD and metro area. If you head to the John Forrest Tavern for a drink and something to eat, you’ll meet the famous patron Manky, a large kangaroo who frequently hangs around the tavern greeting guests, but remember to not feed him, even when he asks for food!

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

If you haven’t visited Kings Park right next to Perth CBD, you’re missing out on one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. It’s rare to find 400 hectares of stunning natural bushland and sculptured gardens right in the heart of a city. A popular spot for picnics and large gatherings, spend the day here marvelling over the city buildings and the Swan River. Take a long walk along the many pathways and walking trails, exploring the native plant species, wildflowers in Spring, playgrounds, parklands, and head into the treetops along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway all while learning about Indigenous culture and European heritage. Kings Park is home to the State War Memorial and the State Botanic Gardens, showcasing 1,700 native species. Enjoy a bite to eat at one of the cafés or finish your journey along The South West Edge by indulging at the fine dining restaurant with incredible views.

Leave no trace

To help preserve these unique natural environments, please stay on the walk trails and take all rubbish away with you. When you are travelling through remote areas, advise the local park ranger, check information about track closures, and always pay close attention to road and weather conditions when driving. The national parks are all managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife) and a variety of facilities have been provided for visitors. In some areas, park passes are required to visit a national park.