Fitzgerald River
National Park

Visitors will delight in this botanical wonderland renowned for its rugged and spectacular scenery.  The Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the larger national parks in Western Australia. It has 330,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness located on one of the most magnificent stretches of Australian coast. The park is one of the most flora and fauna rich conservation areas in Western Australia, recognised globally for its natural diversity. Here you will find approximately 20% of the state’s described plant species, 22 mammal species, 41 reptile specie, and more than 200 bird species, including rare species such as the ground parrot, western whip bird and the western bristle bird. More species of animals live in this park than any other reserve in south western Australia and is a nature enthusiasts' playground! 

Access to the eastern end of the park is available year-round via the southern section of Hamersley Drive a sealed road that takes you on a scenic route from Hopetoun through to Hamersley Inlet with magnificent views of the coastline and rolling landscape.

All other roads within the national park, including the western end near Bremer Bay and the northern section of Hamersley Drive from West River are unsealed with access at times limited due to the dependency on weather and road conditions. If planning to use any of the unsealed roads or 4WD tracks within the National Park it is important to check with Parks and Wildlife prior to heading out for any road closures and road conditions as unsealed roads have a tendency to develop corrugations due to dry conditions and traffic or be closed at short notice in wet conditions to help prevent the spread of dieback. Please note that on road caravans are not permitted on unsealed roads within the park. To find out the status of the roads within the park view the Latest Road Condition Report on our Road Closures page or head to Parks and Wildlife Services Parks Alerts website. Alternatively, you can contact DBCA's Albany Regional office during business hours on (08) 9842 4500 or email albany@dbca.wa.gov.au.

Parks and Wildlife WA have a number of downloadable publications that cover the various walk and drive trails within the Fitzgerald River National Park and you can access them here by clicking on this link.

In June 2017 the park retained its international status as a Biosphere Reserve with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), which approved the expansion of the biosphere reserve to cover approximately1.5millon hectares (covering the whole of the Shire of Jerramungup and two thirds of the Shire of Ravensthorpe) with the Fitzgerald River National Park acting as its core. This global recognition with the assistance of the Fitzgerald Biosphere Community Collective ensures that the reserve will be managed and taken care of in a sustainable manner, in collaboration with the community.

Much of the rugged scenery and pristine coastline is accessible via 2WD, due to the 40 million dollar upgrade completed in June 2014. New facilities include picnic areas, viewing platforms and walk trails to Barrens Beach, Barrens Lookout, Four Mile Beach, East Mt Barren trail (short walk), Hamersley Inlet, Cave Point and Hakea Walk Trail (long trail to Quoin Head). The central wilderness area is a protected area only accessible on foot.

“The Cave Point viewing platform is a must to experience and offers a fantastic vantage point for whale watching!"

Click for larger image: FRNP - Short Walks Map (East)

Click for larger image: FRNP Map

IMPORTANT DIEBACK INFORMATION 

Dieback is caused by a pathogen, known as Phytophthora cinnamomi, which is lethal to hundreds of plant species. This disease kills plants by destroying their root systems and threatens many of the park’s plant species. The climate of the southern coast favours the spread of dieback, which thrives in warm, moist soil and can easily be spread in mud or soil that sticks to vehicle tyres or bush walkers’ footwear. It is therefore sometimes necessary to close roads and tracks.

Fitzgerald River National Park is the largest single national park in the south-west of Western Australia and the park's iconic status and natural assets through its international recognition as the core of UNESCO listed Fitzgerald Biosphere with your help has a chance of keeping dieback out of this biodiverse wilderness.

Bush walkers can help by cleaning mud and soil from their boots before entering a park or reserve, or at the boot-cleaning stations provided at trailhead sites in the park. When driving in the park, it is essential to keep to established roads and tracks and obey all ‘ROAD CLOSED’ signs. By washing the tyres and under-body of your car before and after a trip to a park or reserve, you can help preserve WA’s natural areas. A 24-hour car and truck wash is available in Hopetoun just near the roundabout as you enter the town.