Bush Walking in the Shannon National Park

Shannon National Park

Shannon Campgrounds remains closed and will not reopen until further notice. The southern loop of the Great Forest Trees Drive remains closed from Deeside Coast Road just south of Big Tree Grove.

Facilities

Bushwalking

Toilets available

Picnic tables available

Camping available at Shannon Camping Grounds

Parking is available

Cockatoos and parrots live, feed and nest in the "penthouse" of the forest, the uppermost spreading leafy layer called the canopy. The large, white tailed, white cheeked, Baudin's Cockatoo feeds on marri seeds and the larvae of wood boring insects and has a sad wailing "Plee-erk" call.

The colourful Purple-crowned Lorikeet has forest green upper parts, an orange forehead an ear patch, and a light blue belly. This small parrot dashes between blossoms, gathering nectar and pollen with a brush tipped tongue. Listen for a high pitched screech "zit-zit".

This grove is home to some of the tallest karri trees known. Karri is recognised as the third tallest tree species in the world. Trees can weigh up to 150 tonnes apiece.
At around 300 years of age and over 85 metres in height, these trees are now in decline, unable to repair damage or replace leaves as quickly as younger trees. Wood borers and fungi attack damaged tissue and further weaken aging trees. Even giants grow old.

All plants compete for sunlight, water and nutrients. A mature karri tree has a large, leafy canopy that blocks sunlight and suppresses new growth around the tree. Karri tree roots extend 20 or 30 metres, forming a network of hundreds of kilometers of root fibers.

The present camping area was once the thriving Shannon Town. Mill workers resided here with their families and worked north of the highway at the Shannon Timber Mill.

Ninety houses were built in a "U" shape with a central communal area. Just like other small towns in the area. It had the basic services a butcher, baker, general store, post office, nursing station, church school and local hall.

Wonder around and find evidence of the old Shannon town.

There are 4 amazing walks near the Shannon camp site: Scenic Walk Trail, Shannon Dam Walk, Rocks Walk and the Great Forest Trees Walk. These take in the picturesque bush of the tall trees of the south west.

Snake Gully

Shannon Camping Grounds

Great Forest Tree Walk

This 8km walk meanders through spectacular old-growth Karri, Jarrah and Marri forest in the northern section of the Shannon National Park. It follows an old forestry track and is steep in places.

The walk has interpretive signs along the way exploring the trees and nature that surround. The signs deepen the understanding and appreciation of the magnificent beauty of this native forest.

Scenic Walk Trail

The Scenic Walk trail is a short distance (2.5km) from the camp grounds to the day use area.

Along the way spend some time in this lookout. There are many bird species as well as Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) to be seen. Numbers have been recovering in response to fox baiting. The mainland quokka is a shy creature unlikely to be seen during the day.

Look for tunnel-like passages in the undergrowth. These are made by the quokkas as they move through the dense ground cover in their search for food and water. Quokkas graze on grass and young shoots of native plants.

The Shannon Dam Walk Trail is an easy 3.5km with gentle slopes from the day use area. The dam is a hidden treasure, with peaceful surroundings. From the picnic area at the dam watch for birds that frequent the dam to feed and drink. Look for the Pacific Black Duck and the Little Pied Cormorant on the water, the Tree Martin flying above and the Rufous Tree Creeper.

The Shannon dam used to supply the Shannon townsite and mill with water before it was closed in 1968. The causeway was first installed in 1984. During a winter storm a log smashed into it. Repaired the following year it now provides views across the Shannon Dam.

This is a spectacular 5.5km walk suitable for the semi experienced bush walker as it has some rocky sections and steep climbs to reach Mokare Rock. The views from this granite outcrop across the Shannon National Park are breathtaking and well worth the climb.

There is also Smeathers' Rock which gives views across the Shannon valley towards the Shannon day use are which was the old Shannon mill-site. This rock was named after Norm Smeathers, a tree feller who worked in this area for many years. The rock was named after him following his death in 1984.