Walpole-Nornalup National Park

Welcome to Walpole-Nornalup National Park, located in Western Australia’s beautiful South West, about 4.5 hours from Perth. 

This photograph was taken at the Hilltop Lookout and shows views of the Nornalup Inlet in the distance, with forest in the foreground, and the Frankland River flowing in between. The view is seen through a canopy of trees, with the blue ocean in the distance. The ocean is calm and is a crisp blue. The sky above is blue, with streaks of grey clouds.
Hilltop Lookout, Walpole-Nornalup National Park. Photo credit: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Cultural Recognition

We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of Walpole-Nornalup National Park. 

Overview of Walpole-Nornalup National Park

A biodiversity hotspot, Walpole-Nornalup National Park is known for its incredible range of flora and fauna – much of which can be found within the national park. And there are plenty of ways to explore it! 

Visit one of the park’s most popular spots, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, to see the huge, endemic tingle trees from above (40 metres up, in fact) and below. On the Ancient Empire walk, keep an eye out for quokkas! 

Hike or bike along one of many walk trails – including the famous Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi – and get a closer look at the vibrant wildflowers, unique native plants, and karri and jarrah forests. Listen to the song of the native birds (find out more in our Biodiversity section). 

Walpole-Nornalup National Park is also home to beautiful, pristine waters, from Circular Pool to Nornalup Inlet. There are even opportunities to spot whales along the coast on their migratory journey from June to September. With plenty of options to swim, paddle or fish, and picnic along the shore, a perfect day in nature awaits. 

Entry to this national park is free, but pets must be left at home. 

This photo was taken by a drone and overlooks the Valley of the Giant Tree Top Walk. The grey walk bridge is seen through the forest, and there are people standing on the bridge overlooking the trees. The treetops are green in colour, with thick brown trunks. The forest continues off into the distance.
The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Photo credit: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
This photo shows the Giant Tingle Tree and surrounding boardwalk. The Tingle tree is brown in colour, and bumpy in texture, with patches of dark grey. The surrounding wooden boardwalk is brown in colour. There is a wooden staircase leading down to the walkway next to the tree. There are two (2) small children walking down the stairs. The first is wearing blue, and the second is wearing pink. A green forest of trees and shrubs are growing behind the walkway. The sun is shining through the trees, creating shadows in the treetops.
The Giant Tingle tree. Photo credit: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Nature Play Resources

Nature Play WA has created fun and interactive resources for Walpole-Nornalup National Park. 

For more fun, interactive nature play activities for families that can be used wile exploring any location, check out our free, Every Kid in a Park resource library

Family Resource Library

Activities & Information

With its proximity to Perth, the picturesque Walpole-Nornalup National Park has plenty to offer families looking for space to spend time in nature together.

This photograph shows a humpback whale jumping out of the water and into the air. The humpback whale is a large, dark grey, torpedo-shaped animal. Most of the whale is dark grey in colour, with a patch of white on its stomach and fin. The water is blue, and the background shows stormy weather with dark white and grey fluffy clouds with a dark shadow of rain pouring down on the forest.
Whale watching is a popular activity in Walpole-Nornalup National Park. We suggest visiting Conspicuous Cliffs! 

Visit one of the park’s most popular spots, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, to see the huge, endemic tingle trees from above (40 metres up, in fact) and below. On the Ancient Empire walk, keep an eye out for quokkas! 

Hike or bike along one of many walk trails – including the famous Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi – and get a closer look at the vibrant wildflowers, unique native plants, and karri and jarrah forests.

Walpole-Nornalup National Park is also home to beautiful, pristine waters, from Circular Pool to Nornalup Inlet. There are even opportunities to spot whales along the coast on their migratory journey from June to September.

With plenty of options to swim, paddle or fish, and picnic along the shore, a perfect day in nature awaits.

This photo shows a tall tingle tree amongst a forest of trees. The tree trunk is brown in colour and the hollow in the base of the trunk is big enough to walk through. A brown wooden boardwalk leads through the tree. A person is standing at the base of the tree on the boardwalk and is looking up to the sky above. Green plants surround the base of the tree, and the sun is shining bright above the treetops.
The Ancient Empire Walk. Photo credit: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
This is a photo of a southern right whale exploding out of the water. Its body is large and stocky and mostly black in colour. It is jumping out of the water on its side, with two (2) of its fins seen out of the water. The water is blue and sits on the shores of the inlet, which is covered in trees and rocky land.
Southern Right Whales are often seen from viewpoints in the national park. 
This photo was taken on the white sand at Coalmine Beach and shows two (2) large pelicans resting on the sand. The pelicans are white in colour with patches of black feathers on their wings and back. Both birds have long pink beaks and beady black and yellow eyes. The water is flat and calm. There is a forest of green trees growing in the distance. The blue sky is shining above.
Pelicans resting at Coalmine Beach. Photo credit: The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Walpole-Nornalup National Park is the perfect place to take in the incredible biodiversity of the South West – much of which is endemic to the area. It’s home to dense karri and jarrah forests, pristine ocean and river waters and of course, the famous tingle trees. 

Tingle trees are known for their huge trunk bases – in fact, they’re the largest-girthed eucalypt in the world! They can live for more than 400 years and reach heights of around 75 metres. Karri, jarrah and marri trees are also plentiful in Walpole-Nornalup National Park. 

From late winter to spring, wildflowers begin to bloom. Purple and pink enamel orchids, cowslip orchids and flying duck orchids are great fun to hunt for. The Holly flame Pea, tassle flower, clematis, Australian bluebell and karri wattle are just some of the wildflowers that add an explosion of colour to the area. 

Some of the many birds you’re likely to see are the New Holland honeyeater, grey fantail, splendid fairy-wren, osprey, Australian ringneck and red wattlebird. The park is also home to some rare, endangered species, including the crested shrike-tit, red-tailed black-cockatoo and Western bristlebird. The Southern emu-wren and hooded plover are also vulnerable. 

The quokkas of the South West are a little different to the quokkas of Rottnest. They are mainly nocturnal and very shy! Other land mammals include the quenda, Western grey kangaroo and Southern forest bat. Try your luck at spotting Southern right whales and humpback whales migrating through the area between June and September from the Conspicuous Cliff lookout. 

There are 32 species of reptiles living in Walpole-Nornalup National Park. The marbled gecko, tiger snake and dugite are just a few to look out for. 

Walpole-Nornalup National Park is a great place for bushwalking. Before you head out in nature, visit the Explore Parks WA website for tips on bushwalking safety. 

There are numerous bodies of water located throughout Walpole-Nornalup National Park. Follow these precautions to ensure you stay safe around water:  

  • Take care on rocks on the coast, as there is a risk of slipping and falling. Large waves can suddenly appear and wash over rocks.  
  • Don’t fish if it is too rough; know the weather forecast and tides before fishing. Always fish with someone else.  
  • Swimming at beaches and inland waterways can be dangerous. Be aware of strong rips, variable water depths, submerged obstacles and wet slippery surfaces. For your safety, do not dive or jump into water.  
  • Restricted access and warning signs are placed there for your protection and safety, and to protect the environment.  
  • Stay alert and supervise children at all times.

In spring and summer, many reptiles emerge to bask in the sun. During this time you should take precautions to minimise the chance of encountering snakes: 

  • Keep a watchful eye on the ground about a metre ahead of where you are walking, and avoid entering areas of long grass, rushes and undergrowth. 
  • Take care in bushland and grassy areas.  
  • Walk and/or cycle in cleared areas only, where you can see the ground, and keep to established tracks.  
  • When bushwalking, wear long trousers and boots or other enclosed footwear that preferably cover the ankles.  
Circular Pool, Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Visit Explore Parks WA website for more information about Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Acknowledgements

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

  • This photo was taken by a drone and overlooks the Valley of the Giant Tree Top Walk. The grey walk bridge is seen through the forest, and there are people standing on the bridge overlooking the trees. The treetops are green in colour, with thick brown trunks. The forest continues off into the distance.
  • This photo was taken on the white sand at Coalmine Beach and shows two (2) large pelicans resting on the sand. The pelicans are white in colour with patches of black feathers on their wings and back. Both birds have long pink beaks and beady black and yellow eyes. The water is flat and calm. There is a forest of green trees growing in the distance. The blue sky is shining above.
  • This photo shows the Giant Tingle Tree and surrounding boardwalk. The Tingle tree is brown in colour, and bumpy in texture, with patches of dark grey. The surrounding wooden boardwalk is brown in colour. There is a wooden staircase leading down to the walkway next to the tree. There are two (2) small children walking down the stairs. The first is wearing blue, and the second is wearing pink. A green forest of trees and shrubs are growing behind the walkway. The sun is shining through the trees, creating shadows in the treetops.
  • This is a photo of a southern right whale exploding out of the water. Its body is large and stocky and mostly black in colour. It is jumping out of the water on its side, with two (2) of its fins seen out of the water. The water is blue and sits on the shores of the inlet, which is covered in trees and rocky land.
  • This photograph was taken at the Hilltop Lookout and shows views of the Nornalup Inlet in the distance, with forest in the foreground, and the Frankland River flowing in between. The view is seen through a canopy of trees, with the blue ocean in the distance. The ocean is calm and is a crisp blue. The sky above is blue, with streaks of grey clouds.
  • This is a close-up photo taken of a cowslip orchid. The flower is mostly yellow in colour with five (5) large petals. The flower’s top three (3) petals have a streak of pink colour and white tips. The flower grows on a green stem with long green leaves. It grows in dark brown dirt next to other orchids.
  • This photograph was taken at the lookout at Circular Pool. The lookout is a brown wooden platform with a grey handrail. There are two (2) wooden benches on the lookout, which is surrounded by a thick forest of trees with green leaves and brown trunks. The blue sky is shining above, creating natural shade cover over part of the lookout.