Hopetoun & Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

Last October we visited Hopetoun and the Fitzgerald River National Park on Western Australia's south coast.

  Below is a excerpt from my latest article published in "On the Road" magazine , July 2012 - "Coastal Palatte of Colour" which I wrote following our trip.  As you scroll through you can see some mosaics of some of the glorious wildflowers to be found in the Park. 

Here is the opening page of the article 

The boardwalk gave way to a steady rising limestone path, and cresting a ridgeline we stopped to look back the way we had come.  The mazarine blue of the ocean met with the azure sky on its way to Antarctica, while its edges broke in a tumble of white on the narrow beach below the rugged cliffs.  East Mount Barren was living up to its promise that on a clear day the views appear to go on forever. 

View part way up East Mount Barren

 East Mount Barren is only a few kilometres from Hopetoun in the Fitzgerald River National Park on Western Australia’s south coast.  Located between Albany and Esperance and 50km south of Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun at first glance appears to be a sleepy seaside town with a groyne running straight into the sea directly at the end of the main street.  However aided by the recent boost from the Ravensthorpe nickel and lithium mining industry, Hopetoun boasts new modern facilities and a population drawn to coastal living. 

The main attractions for tourists are pristine coastlines, easily accessible unspoilt beaches, walk trails and drives, beachside camping, unsurpassed wildflowers and the magnificent Fitzgerald National Park and Eyre Ranges which borders the town. 

Looking back towards 4 Mile Beach and Culham Inlet from a lookout near East Mount Barren

 The 330,000ha Fitzgerald River National Park is the largest and most botanically significant national park in Australia. As well as being one of WA’s richest flora conservation areas, it is an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve.  Of its 1,800 known plant species, 62 varieties are found nowhere else and more species of animals live here than any other park in south Western Australia. These include 22 mammal species, 41 reptile species, and over 200 bird species including the rare Ground Parrot.  

Wildflowers in the Fitzgerald River National Park

It was the thought of a few days on the coast and the spring wildflowers that drew us to Hopetoun in October, and we were not disappointed – the beaches and the variety of wildflowers where truly breathtaking.

Royal Hakea - Hakea victoria – seen at East Mount Barren

Rusty Hakea - Hakea ferruginea - seen along John Forrest Road

Qualup Bell - Pimelea physodes - seen at East Mount Barren

Scarlet Banksia - banksia coccinea – seen along Springdale Road

Fishing at 12 mile beach - you can see East Mount Barren in the distance

 Coastal roads run from Hopetoun for over 50km west to Quoin Head (although currently closed for major upgrading) and 40km east to Starvation Bay.  The west features mountains, rugged cliffs and sheltered beaches, whilst the east has long beaches below limestone cliffs.  Most beaches are accessible by 2WD, and then accessed on foot from the carparks. Vehicles cannot be driven onto most of the beaches due to steep dunes or cliffs, helping to preserve their natural beauty.  The coast is visited during June to October by Southern Right Whales during calving as they journey south to Antarctica for summer.

 The guidebook, “Hopetoun and Its Coastline”, which we had purchased from the Ravensthorpe Visitor Centre, is a very handy reference giving distances to the various beaches as well as other useful information. 

To read this full article, please see "On the Road" magazine, July 2012 edition.

 I am linking up to Mosaic Monday - to see the work of Mary and other wonderful contributors, please click on the link - Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

Thank you for stopping by, your comments are always very valuable and appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a wonderful week.

You might also lilke my previous post - Hopetoun & Fitzgerald National Park