Things to do, Northcliffe
Located amongst exquisite Karri forests, Northcliffe is perfectly positioned for exploring the Southern Forests and the nearby D’Entrecasteaux and Shannon National Parks. Visitors to Northcliffe will delight in the natural beauty of the area abounding in unique flora and fauna, much of it found nowhere else in the world.
Shannon National Park is set in some of the most magnificent karri country in Western Australia's southern forest. The park covers the entire basin of the Shannon River, from its headwaters to the Southern Ocean. The park covers 53,500 hectares, including old growth and regrowth karri forests and biologically-rich heathlands and wetlands.
Information shelters tell the story of the Shannon, or you can listen on your radio to the park broadcasts at sign posted stops around the Great Forest Trees Drive. There are also camping and walking opportunities within the park.
For the four wheel drive enthusiast, the D’Entrecasteaux National Park covers 118,000ha with some rugged and secluded four wheel drive tracks. The Yeagerup Dunes offer adventurers the chance to witness vast mobile sand dunes which are steadily moving inland swallowing up forest lakes and woodlands as they go. Even if you don’t have a four wheel drive, several local tour guides will take you on an amazing adventure amongst the dunes.
Popular recreational activities include fishing for salmon, mountain biking and bushwalking along the many pleasant tracks that follow the picturesque coastline or wind through majestic Karri forests. There are four excellent mountain bike tracks that traverse the Northcliffe Karri forests. Energetic visitors will also enjoy the 187 metre climb up the granite outcrop that forms Mount Chudalup. The views across the forests are well worth the extra effort.
Scenic drives are also very popular and offer outstanding photographic opportunities of the captivating coastline and the National Parks. In season, you may be lucky enough to spot Humpback and Southern Right whales and seals from cliff tops and lookout points such as Point D’Entrecasteaux.
The Southern Forest Sculpture Walk is the first purpose built walk trail within Australia to permanently feature specially commissioned artworks from a range of different art forms. Sculpture, music and writing have been commissioned from nationally and internationally renowned creative people to reflect the social, cultural and environmental heritage of the Southern Forests region. The 1.2 km walk circuit showcases the awe-inspiring Karri, Jarrah and Marri forest of the Northcliffe Forest Park. Permanent and ephemeral (temporary) sculptures are located at varying intervals along the trail, with poetry, prose, storytelling, photography and music appearing in associated publications and audio tours. The Sculpture Walk commences from the Northcliffe Information and Visitor Centre. Entry fees include a range of five different audio tours and a comprehensive Trail Guide.
Windy Harbour is a holiday settlement situated on 190 hectares of a Crown reserve, surrounded by D'entrecasteaux National Park on the south coast of Western Australia about 27km south of Northcliffe. Approximately 220 cottages have been developed on individual leases since the early 1900's. A few of these cottages are available for private rental and sleep up to 10 people.
Some of the attractions at Windy Harbour are beautiful walking tracks where you can enjoy the wildflowers in season or some beachcombing along the beautiful sandy beaches. See if you can spot the whales on their way past between June and November and often in between times. There is fishing apleny, off the beach you can catch whiting and herring and if you have access to a boat any number of different species of fish while reef fishing.
Salmon Beach is beautiful and if you are looking for somewhere to do some beachcombing or if you are into surfing it is ideal, with the understanding that you speak to locals about the water and its habits before you start surfing as it does have a few foibles of its own.
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Northcliffe Pioneer Museum
Wheatly Coast Road, NORTHCLIFFE 6262
Open every day except Christmas Day 10am to 3pm
Entry fee by donation.
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Shannon National Park
Shannon National Park is some of the most magnificent karri country in Western Australia's southern forest which covers the entire basin of the Shannon River, from its headwaters to the Southern Ocean. The park is made up of old growth and regrowth karri forests and biologically-rich heathlands and wetlands covering some 54,000 hectares.
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D'Entrecasteaux
D'Entrecasteaux Drive is a six kilometre scenic drive that takes you from the Wheatley Coast Road at Windy Harbour to Point D'Entrecasteaux and the light house. The drive features exceptional views of the southern coastline and coastal heath wilderness. At the midpoint you will come to Salmon Beach Road, leading to the beautiful Salmon Beach.
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Understory at Northcliffe
The Understory is the first purpose built walk trail within Australia to permanently feature specially commissioned artworks using a range of different art forms.