of European settlement these small shore whaling parties parties whaling shore small these settlement European of had faded. had

preserve WA’s natural areas. natural WA’s preserve

humpback and southern right whales. In the early years years early the In whales. right southern and humpback disappointed to find that the dazzling colours of the leaves leaves the of colours dazzling the that find to disappointed

before and after a trip to a park or reserve, you can help help can you reserve, or park a to trip a after and before

leave the sheltered bays of Doubtful Island to hunt both both hunt to Island Doubtful of bays sheltered the leave however, by the time he arrived at King George Sound, he was was he Sound, George King at arrived he time the by however,

signs. By washing the tyres and under-body of your car car your of under-body and tyres the washing By signs.

1836 and1867. Every winter small wooden boats would would boats wooden small winter Every and1867. 1836 specimen all the way to Cape Riche and then onto to Albany, Albany, to onto then and Riche Cape to way the all specimen

established roads and tracks and obey all ‘ROAD CLOSED’ CLOSED’ ‘ROAD all obey and tracks and roads established

whaling station, which operated between the years of of years the between operated which station, whaling I have ever seen”. He is said to have jubilantly carried one one carried jubilantly have to said is He seen”. ever have I

When driving in the park, it is essential to keep to to keep to essential is it park, the in driving When

east. This island was the site of Western Australia’s first first Australia’s Western of site the was island This east. extraordinary plant … this most splendid vegetable production production vegetable splendid most this … plant extraordinary

Banksia heliantha Banksia ). ( Dryandra Oak-leaved

Doubtful Islands can be seen on a clear day to the south south the to day clear a on seen be can Islands Doubtful • kilometres from West Mount Barren. His description was “an “an was description His Barren. Mount West from kilometres cleaning stations provided at trailhead sites in the park. park. the in sites trailhead at provided stations cleaning

Hakea victoria after Queen Victoria—when he camped a few few a camped he Victoria—when Queen after victoria Hakea

boots before entering a park or reserve, or at the boot- the at or reserve, or park a entering before boots

accessible from the eastern entry to the park. park. the to entry eastern the from accessible

Cape Riche in 1847. in Riche Cape

named the royal hakea—which bears the scientific name name scientific the bears hakea—which royal the named

walkers can help by cleaning mud and soil from their their from soil and mud cleaning by help can walkers

East Mount Barren, over 60km away to the north east, is is east, north the to away 60km over Barren, Mount East •

travelled along the coast to West Mount Barren from from Barren Mount West to coast the along travelled

James Drummond in 1847. Drummond discovered and and discovered Drummond 1847. in Drummond James

With your help it has a chance of remaining so. Bush Bush so. remaining of chance a has it help your With

famous botanist and explorer James Drummond who who Drummond James explorer and botanist famous

in Fitzgerald River National Park. Park. National River Fitzgerald in George Maxwell who accompanied the explorer and botanist botanist and explorer the accompanied who Maxwell George

least infected by dieback in south-western Australia. Australia. south-western in dieback by infected least

to 326m above sea level. This peak is named after the the after named is peak This level. sea above 326m to

Peak which, at 530m above sea level, is the highest peak peak highest the is level, sea above 530m at which, Peak Mount Maxwell was probably named after the bushman bushman the after named probably was Maxwell Mount

Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the parks parks the of one is Park National River Fitzgerald

be seen on a clear day, rising as a low conical shape shape conical low a as rising day, clear a on seen be

You will also be able to see Woolbernup Hill and Thumb Thumb and Hill Woolbernup see to able be also will You

of banksia species. banksia of Mount Drummond, 40km to the north north-east, can can north-east, north the to 40km Drummond, Mount • tracks or temporarily restrict access to certain areas. certain to access restrict temporarily or tracks

with Mid Mount Barren (450m) 28km in the distance. distance. the in 28km (450m) Barren Mount Mid with

renowned, such as the park’s iconic royal hakea and a number number a and hakea royal iconic park’s the as such renowned,

It is therefore sometimes necessary to close roads and and roads close to necessary sometimes therefore is It

Mount Bland (258m) 5km to the east, the closest peak, peak, closest the east, the to 5km (258m) Bland Mount •

and used for building materials. materials. building for used and

see some of the many and varied plants for which the area is is area the which for plants varied and many the of some see

The spongolite was quarried at Twertup from 1973 -1976 -1976 1973 from Twertup at quarried was spongolite The vehicle tyres or bush walkers’ footwear. walkers’ bush or tyres vehicle Features visible from the summit include: summit the from visible Features

introduction to the park. It also provides an opportunity to to opportunity an provides also It park. the to introduction

(Pallinup siltstone) are a distinctive feature of this valley. valley. this of feature distinctive a are siltstone) (Pallinup and can easily be spread in mud or soil that adheres to to adheres that soil or mud in spread be easily can and

A short stop here on the way to the park entrance is a great great a is entrance park the to way the on here stop short A

nutrient poor. nutrient 25km away. The yellow and orange cliffs of spongolite spongolite of cliffs orange and yellow The away. 25km the spread of dieback, which thrives in warm, moist soil soil moist warm, in thrives which dieback, of spread the

dry, windswept environment where soils are shallow and and shallow are soils where environment windswept dry, Drummond can be seen 40km to the north-east. north-east. the to 40km seen be can Drummond The Fitzgerald River valley is seen to the north about about north the to seen is valley River Fitzgerald The • plant species. The climate of the south coast favours favours coast south the of climate The species. plant

leaves is an adaptation to prevent water loss in this usually usually this in loss water prevent to adaptation an is leaves Inlet to the south east and Twertup to the north. Mount Mount north. the to Twertup and east south the to Inlet

their root systems, and threatens many of the park’s park’s the of many threatens and systems, root their

National Park are visible 110km to the west. west. the to 110km visible are Park National

clawflower and boronia species. The narrow shape of the the of shape narrow The species. boronia and clawflower Mount Barren and Thumb Peak in the distance), to Gordon Gordon to distance), the in Peak Thumb and Barren Mount

of plant species. This disease kills plants by destroying destroying by plants kills disease This species. plant of

On a clear day, the eastern peaks of Stirling Range Range Stirling of peaks eastern the day, clear a On •

with its distinctive red flowers (July to October), the dense dense the October), to (July flowers red distinctive its with Mount Bland to the east (with the wilderness peaks of Mid Mid of peaks wilderness the (with east the to Bland Mount Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora which is lethal to hundreds hundreds to lethal is which

which are needle like, such as the barrens clawflower clawflower barrens the as such like, needle are which Fitzgerald River National Park, from West Mount Barren and and Barren Mount West from Park, National River Fitzgerald ranged this area with cattle and sheep. sheep. and cattle with area this ranged Dieback is caused by a pathogen, known as as known pathogen, a by caused is Dieback

is almost exclusively plants with short narrowed leaves leaves narrowed short with plants exclusively almost is Views from the platform at the peak span the western side of of side western the span peak the at platform the from Views Mary Wellstead built the homestead in 1858 and free- and 1858 in homestead the built Wellstead Mary

Dieback

are mainly eucalypts, banksias and hakea. The summit summit The hakea. and banksias eucalypts, mainly are

Quaalup homestead can be seen to the south. John and and John south. the to seen be can homestead Quaalup •

unsealed access road is suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles. two-wheel-drive for suitable is road access unsealed

is an increase in cover of sword sedges, and the shrubs shrubs the and sedges, sword of cover in increase an is

a short distance from the western park entry station. The The station. entry park western the from distance short a Surveyor General Roe in 1848. in Roe General Surveyor

species than at the higher altitudes. Toward the ridge there there ridge the Toward altitudes. higher the at than species

Pabelup Drive if entering from Quiss Road, and is located located is and Road, Quiss from entering if Drive Pabelup the south-east, was named after Gordon Gairdner by by Gairdner Gordon after named was south-east, the

are taller, leaves larger and there is a greater diversity of of diversity greater a is there and larger leaves taller, are

at the car park which is accessed from Devils Creek Road or or Road Creek Devils from accessed is which park car the at Gordon Inlet and mouth of the Gairdner River, 10km to to 10km River, Gairdner the of mouth and Inlet Gordon •

shape and size of the flora. Around the car park plants plants park car the Around flora. the of size and shape

Mount Maxwell is 184m above sea level. The walktrail starts starts walktrail The level. sea above 184m is Maxwell Mount

A striking feature on the climb to the summit is the variety, variety, the is summit the to climb the on feature striking A

international treaty. treaty. international

West Mount Barren summit. Barren Mount West

and is classified a class 2 walk. Allow 30 minutes return. return. minutes 30 Allow walk. 2 class a classified is and

nature reserve and whales are fully protected under an an under protected fully are whales and reserve nature

between June and October. October. and June between

This is an easy walk to the Mount Maxwell lookout platform platform lookout Maxwell Mount the to walk easy an is This

part of the colonial economy. Today the island is a a is island the Today economy. colonial the of part

100 bells. The best time to see the flowering Qualup Bell is is Bell Qualup flowering the see to time best The bells. 100

200m return – allow thirty minutes thirty allow – return 200m and the whale oil they produced were an important important an were produced they oil whale the and

generally grows to 1m high and can be adorned with up to to up with adorned be can and high 1m to grows generally

Mount Maxwell Mount

on the slopes of this hill. This spectacular looking shrub shrub looking spectacular This hill. this of slopes the on

the Qualup Bell, which was first discovered by early botanists botanists early by discovered first was which Bell, Qualup the Above right Above Above Spongolite with fosiils. with Spongolite Spongolite.

On the walk you are likely to find a flowering shrub called called shrub flowering a find to likely are you walk the On

Road. Road.

Mount Barren, which is accessed from Pabelup Drive or Quiss Quiss or Drive Pabelup from accessed is which Barren, Mount

level. The walktrail starts at the car park at the base of West West of base the at park car the at starts walktrail The level.

Allow 2 hours return. West Mount Barren is 372m above sea sea above 372m is Barren Mount West return. hours 2 Allow

This is a moderately difficult walk and is classified as class 4. 4. class as classified is and walk difficult moderately a is This

1.7km return – allow two hours two allow – return 1.7km West Mount Barren Mount West

Short walks WEST Remember More information Inland wildflowers to the whale bay coast Don’t light fires. Gas barbecues are provided free of charge National park rangers are available to provide information. to day visitors at Four Mile Beach, Hamersley Inlet and Point Don’t hesitate to contact them if you need assistance. Fitzgerald River Ann picnic areas. Be clean. Rubbish bins are not provided in the park; please Rangers (West) Ranger (East) National Park take your rubbish with you. Jacup/Jerramungup Barrens Beach Road Save animals and plants. No hunting or wildflower picking Tel (08) 9835 5043 Tel (08) 9838 3060 is permitted in Fitzgerald River National Park. Drive slowly to Department of Parks Department of Parks and Wildlife, avoid killing wildlife on the roads. Royal hakea (Hakea victoria), Mount Bland. and Wildlife Office Albany District Office Stay on the road. Follow signs in the park and keep vehicles 13 Morgan Street 120 Albany Highway, Albany WA 6330 Ravensthorpe Tel (08) 9842 4500 Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the most botanically on the roads marked in this map. Observe track closures and speed limits. To drive a four-wheel drive vehicle on sand, Tel (08) 9838 1967 Fax (08) 9841 7105 significant national parks in Australia with about 15 per engage four-wheel drive and reduce tyre pressure. Don’t Email [email protected] cent of Western Australia’s described plant species found forget to re-inflate your tyres when you leave the area. It is here. Recently improved sealed road access and recreational recommended that two-wheel drive vehicles are not driven on facilities provide a wide range of opportunities for world sand or other soft surfaces. Visit the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s website class nature-based activities, in highly scenic and diverse www.dpaw.wa.gov.au for more information on the park. coastal and inland environments. Be prepared. Always carry plenty of fresh water (at least three or four litres per person per day) as there are no reliable Other Fitzgerald River National Park brochures include: This brochure is one of a set about Fitzgerald River National drinking water supplies within the park. • Fitzgerald River National Park Park (see back panel for more information). For general information and recreation guide information about the park, including a park map and details Take care • Eastern short walks, which of access roads please refer to the Fitzgerald River National Keep your personal safety in mind at all times. Caution is includes the short walks to Barrens Park information and recreation guide brochure. required in any natural environment with potentially hazardous Lookout, East Mount Barren, The western side of Fitzgerald River National Park can be terrain. Fitzgerald River National Park is no exception. Sepulcralis Hill and No Tree Hill accessed from the South Coast Highway by using either the Stand back from rocky headlands and cliff edges. Many • Mamang Walktrail Devils Creek Road or Quiss Road. If accessing this section of areas within the park have steep, rocky slopes that can be • Hakea Walktrail the park from Bremer Bay, it is suggested that you use either unstable underfoot. For general information about the Swamp Road or Devils Creek South Road. (see the map for Choose fishing or swimming sites with great care. park, including a park map and details of access roads please directions). The Southern Ocean is unpredictable, making rock fishing and refer to the Fitzgerald River National Park information and swimming especially dangerous. Huge waves and swells can recreation guide brochure. Walk trail classifications suddenly occur even on calm days. Rocks become slippery Mount Maxwell The brochures are available from park entry stations, Parks and Wildlife walk trails when wet. Rip currents are common along the coastline. All trails in walktrail heads or download copies online West Mount Barren are assigned a ‘class’ to indicate Fitzgerald River Wear a lifejacket at all times when fishing from rocks. http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/fitzgerald-river. Point Ann Heritage Trail degree of difficulty. The walk National Park are marked by these No pets Park Podcast series can also be found at this site Point Ann whale watching classes range from Class 1 trail markers. (universal access), which is Pets are not permitted in the park. Please leave your dogs, cats Thanks to the Friends of Fitzgerald River National Park for suitable for wheelchairs to Class 5, which requires walkers and other domestic animals at home as they can harm native contributions. to be fit, experienced and suitably equipped. Check trailhead wildlife and environment. Foxes and cats are predators to native Information and short walk trail guide signs at the start of walks for specific information. animals, so the park is baited with 1080 poison to control the numbers of these introduced predators. Native animals are naturally resistant to 1080, but the baits will kill your pets.

Please heed visitor risk warnings shown on 20130197-0614-10M signs that display this symbol. Front cover: West Mount Barren and Banksia coccinea. Photo – Clodagh Irwin RECYCLE Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Ann for 1164km, passing the Wheatbelt town of Cunderdin and joining the No.3 fence north east of Humpback whale Geraldton. The fence required constant maintenance, which was carried out by boundary riders. The earlier fence riders used camels, horses Southern right whale and bicycles to patrol their Minke whale. respective sections of fence, Point Ann. some of which were in excess of 150kms. In 1960 the fence ceased to be maintained by the boundary riders. In 1922 the Dallison brothers established a mallet bark October). Bottlenose dolphins often come close to the shore Point Ann Heritage Trail stripping business at Point Ann for the extraction of tannin. to feed and surf the waves. Blue whales, minke whales 1km return – allow one hour Bark was stripped from mallet trees and carted by a six and orcas travel migratory routes from the Antarctic north This is an easy walk and is classified as class 2. Allow 1 hour horse drawn dray to Point Ann, where it was loaded onto to warmer waters around the south coast and are also return. The walktrail starts at the Point Ann car park. This longboats and rowed out to waiting ships for transportation occasionally seen. to Europe. The tannin extracted from the mallet bark was gentle walk provides spectacular views over Point Charles The southern right whale has a characteristic V-shaped water considered important in the early 1900s for tanning leather. Bay and humpback or southern right whales are often seen spout when it comes to the surface to breath. They also have during the winter months. Whale watching at Point Ann unique patterns of white horny growths called callosities on The trail follows a section of the No. 2 rabbit proof fence, Point Ann offers a unique close viewing platform for their heads (outgrowths of barnacles and skin) which can be which was constructed in 1905 to stop the influx of rabbits spotting whales. Southern right whales visit the bay used to identify each individual whale. An adult can weigh from the eastern states. By the beginning of the 1900s, to calve and raise their young every year. The coastline up to 85 tonnes when mature and may reach 18m in length. rabbits had achieved plague numbers throughout Victoria between Doubtful Island and Hopetoun are a favourite In late winter to early spring, southern right whales come to and South Australia, and there was concern the same could gathering place for southern right whales and visiting sheltered bays, such as Point Ann, to give birth and nurse happen to Western Australia as the rabbit populations humpback whales on their migration north from the their young calves. At birth a calf weighs about one tonne moved steadily westwards. The fence ran north from Point Antarctic Ocean during winter and early spring (July - and is 5.5m in length. The mother whale will suckle her calf for 4–6 months in these coastal waters. During this time she does not feed herself. As summer approaches she will return to deeper southern waters with her calf to feed. Females Top Southern right whale with calf. Above Humpback whale. Boundary rider with camels. Below Remains of rabbit proof fence. Below right Royal Hakea (Hakea victoria). only breed every three to four years, staying in sub-Antarctic waters when not breeding. The humpback whale is slightly smaller than the southern two tonnes. The mother nurses the young calf for about right whale. Most adults are 15m in length, although some 11 months, by which time the calf can reach up to 9m long. can reach 18m, and weigh up to 45 tonnes. Humpback whales are noted for their haunting songs. When in a playful Minke whales are the second smallest baleen (filter feeder) mood, they may put on spectacular displays, breaching, whale and have an average length of 8m. Minke whales arch rolling, and slapping their pectoral fins. The humpback has their backs while diving but do not raise their tail flukes. large pectoral fins that are one-third of their body length Their blows are usually 2–3m high. Minke whales travel and a humped dorsal fin which varies in size and shape. It either singly or in small groups (2-4), although they can be is easily identified by its ‘hump’ back when submerging and found in large aggregations in the hundreds where krill is its mushroom-shaped blow when breathing at the surface. abundant. Minke whales may live for up to 60 years. Females Newborn calves are more than 4m long and weigh about give birth in winter, to a single calf about 2.5m long.