Shannon National Park

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Cultural Recognition

We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of Shannon National Park. 

A photo of the Shannon River, which is flat and glassy, reflecting the green forest surrounding it.
Menang people are the traditional owners of Shannon National Park. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Empty headingOverview of Shannon National Park

About a four (4) hour drive south of Perth, Shannon National Park is the perfect place to explore some of WA’s most stunning karri forest.  

Visitors can hike under the beautiful tree canopy, or swim or paddle in the Shannon Dam. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous birds who flit about the trees (read our Plants and Animals section for more!). 

There are five (5) trails to explore – from short walks, to drive trails and horse trails! Snake Gully Lookout and Big Tree Grove are two must-see stops along the Great Forest Trees Drive Trail, allowing visitors to feel completely immersed in the towering karri trees. 

An interesting feature of Shannon National Park is the horse camp! After exploring one of the bridle trails, horses and their riders can stay overnight at Shannon Horse Camp. 

Shannon Campground is just for human visitors, but has great facilities like hot showers, flushing toilets, barbecues and dishwashing sinks. No drinking water is available in the Park, so be sure to bring plenty of your own. 

No pets are allowed in Shannon National Park. Standard park entry fees apply, which contribute to park management, including protection of the environment and the development and maintenance of visitor services and facilities. 

Cost of Entry*

Private vehicle with up to 12 occupants  

  • $17 per vehicle  
  • $10 per vehicle concession  

Private vehicle with more than 12 occupants  

  • $8 per occupant 6 years or older  
  • $3.50 per occupant concession  

Motorcycle  

  • $10 per motorbike  
  • No concession  

No entry fee applies if you walk or cycle into the park.

*Prices accurate as of January 2024, refer to the Explore Parks WA website for up to date pricing.

Download the Every Kid in a Park app to use the interpretive map featuring photographs and additional information about each point.

 

Points of Interest

Key points of interest include:  

  • Shannon Campground  
  • Shannon Dam  
  • Shannon Horse Camp  
  • Snake Gully Lookout  
A photo of Snake Gully Lookout. The photo features a raised, timber walkway that runs through the tall karri trees, towards a lookout.
A photo of the Shannon River, which is flat and glassy, reflecting the green forest surrounding it.
A photo of two people riding horses on a dirt trail, surrounded by green bushland. 
A photo of Shannon Campground. It’s an expansive, open area with a few tall trees dotted around. Bitumen campsites are spread out throughout the area.

Resources

Nature Play WA is currently creating fun and interactive resources for Lane Poole Reserve. Throughout October, we will be releasing these resources to assist families in planning their visit to the park.  

  • Accessible Nature Guide 
  • Social Story (including sensory guide and communication board)

Every Kid in a Park Resources

Discover fun activities to do at any park!

Activity Sheet: Invent a Scent

Become a master of scents by searching for and combining the best smells of nature. Can you create the perfect perfume? This document is available to download as a PDF or Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit. Download PDF version Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: Seeing Sound

Sounds are only for our ears……. or are they? Find a quiet spot to sit and listen. What can you hear? Use this activity sheet to record and describe the sounds. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Texture Tag

Use this activity sheet to go on an adventure and explore textures around the park! Touch leaves, bark and even the ground, and describe the features. This document is available as a PDF and an Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit.   Download PDF Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: The Bravery Award

With the help of this activity sheet, you’re going to attempt to overcome a fear. That means it’s time to put on a brave face! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Barefoot Bootcamp

Explore the world through your feet with the help of this activity sheet. On your next outdoor adventure, take off your shoes and play barefoot for a new sensory experience! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: A Place of Your Own

For some people, finding a special quiet place helps them connect to nature. Use this activity sheet to find a place in nature of your own. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Plant Pose

Plants grow in all shapes and sizes; just like people! Use this activity sheet to explore the natural environment, or have someone describe it to you. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Stories in the Sky

Find a good place to sit or lay down and watch the clouds in the sky. Take notice of their colours, textures and shapes, or have someone describe these to you. Use this activity sheet to create a story in the sky! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: The Awareness Game

Being aware of your surroundings is a wonderful skill. In this activity, you will be using your senses to test your awareness of the natural environment! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Colour Wonderful

There are so many colours in the natural world. In this activity, you’ll head outdoors with a trusted person as you explore the rainbow of colours and count the shades of nature together. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Plants and Animals

See if you can spot some of these plants and animals during your visit!  

Mammals 

  • Possum 
  • Quenda 
  • Bats 

Reptiles 

  • Skinks 
  • Snakes (dugite) 

Birds 

  • Grey fantail 
  • Grey currawong 
  • New Holland honeyeater 
  • Australian ringneck 
A photo of a possum on a tree branch. The possum is small, round and fluffy, with a little snout and larger ears.
A photo of a quenda. It looks a bit like a mouse, but has a larger, rounder body.
A photo of a bat midflight.
A photo of a skink – a long, snake-like lizard.
A photo of a dugite – a long, medium-sized brown snake.
A photo of a grey fantail – a very small bird with a round body and long tail feathers. It is grey and black in colour, with streaks of light grey.
A photo of a grey currawong. It looks similar to a magpie, but is completely grey/brown in colour.
A photo of a New Holland honeyeater. It’s a small, round bird that is mostly black in colour, with streaks of white and yellow on its chest and tail.
A photo of an Australian ringneck. It is a small parrot with a green body, a yellow ring around its neck and a dark blue head.

Plants

  • Orchids 
  • Eucalypts (jarrah and karri) 
  • Paperbarks 
  • Banksia 
  • Grevillea 
A photo of a donkey orchid flower. It has two big, yellow petals that stand upwards. There are four smaller petals underneath that are yellow and dark pink.
A photo of a jarrah tree. It’s a tall tree with dark brown bark and sparse branches with green leaves.
A photo taken looking up the trunk of a karri tree. The trunk has bark peeling off in places that is a warm orange colour. Branches spread out towards the top of the tree with green leaves.
A photo of a paperbark tree. The trunk has papery bark that is cream in colour. It’s a low-growing tree with a bushy canopy.
A photo of a banksia flower. The flower is pinecone-shaped, and a bit brush-like – it has lots of bright red “stems” that stick outward and have white tips.
Flowers on a grevillea bush. They are bright red, large and shaped like a brush with delicate “bristles”.

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Safety

If you plan to swim in Shannon Dam or River, enter the water slowly and do not dive in – the depth varies from shallow to very deep. Do not enter the water if you are not a strong swimmer.  

We suggest clicking the links below and reading the safety information before your visit:  

A photo of Snake Gully Lookout. The photo features a raised, timber walkway that runs through the tall karri trees, towards a lookout.
Immerse yourself in the forest at Snake Gully Lookout. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

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Conservation

Shannon National Park is an important location to the Menang people, and home to many plants and animals. Follow the tips below to assist in the protection of the Shannon National Park environment.   

  • Only follow marked walk trails. 
  • Only camp at designated campgrounds.    
  • Leave no trace. Ensure all food and rubbish is contained and out of reach of wildlife and take all belongings with you when you leave.   
  • Do not feed wildlife.    
  • Do not disturb or displace plants and animals. 
  • Follow campfire regulations. 

A photo of two people riding horses on a dirt trail, surrounded by green bushland. 
One of the unique features of Shannon National Park is the horse camp! Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Acknowledgements

Visit the Explore Parks website for more information and Shannon National Park.  

Nature Play WA would like to thank the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for providing information about Shannon National Park. 

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