Walpole-Nornalup National Park

Park Coastal national park protecting forests and coastal cliffs

Along Western Australia’s south coast, Walpole-Nornalup National Park protects karri and tingle forests, granite coastal outcrops and the Nornalup Inlet; visitors canoe, walk boardwalks and watch for wildflowers and native birds.

Main image

Walpole-Nornalup National Park protects coastal karri and red tingle forests, waterways, and riverine systems in southwestern Western Australia, forming part of the larger Walpole Wilderness area. The park is noted for tall eucalypt forests and elevated canopy access.

The area has long been recognized for its unique tall eucalypt forests and was progressively protected through state park designations in the 20th century; it now forms part of the Walpole Wilderness protection network to conserve forest and estuary ecosystems.

The park lies on the lower southern coast of Western Australia near the small towns of Walpole and Nornalup, in the state’s southwest forest region. It is several hours’ drive south of Perth and is accessible by sealed and unsealed regional roads.

  • Tree Top Walk accessibility: The Tree Top Walk provides wheelchair-accessible sections at the entrance area and is one of the park's most visited features; check seasonal opening hours and any visitor limits.
  • Notable trees: Look for large red tingle and karri trees throughout the park; some individual trees have hollow bases large enough for people to stand beneath or enter via low openings.

What to See #

  • Tree Top Walk: An elevated canopy walkway that runs through a tingle and karri forest, reaching approximately 40 metres above ground and extending around 600 metres in total length, giving panoramic views of the forest canopy.
  • Tingle tree stands and boardwalks: The ancient tingle tree stands and boardwalk circuits provide access to large red tingle trunks and root systems; several marked short walks allow close inspection of these endemic eucalypts and their buttressed bases.
  • Walpole-Nornalup Inlets: Walpole and Nornalup Inlets form estuarine waterways at the park's edge, with boat ramps and short viewing points used for cruises and wildlife watching.
Walpole-Nornalup National Park
Walpole-Nornalup National Park, Walpole, Western Australia
-35.0082, 116.6907

How to Get to Walpole-Nornalup National Park #

The park is roughly 430 km south of Perth along South Western Highway and then Cookernup/Walpole roads; the town of Walpole is the usual gateway with car access recommended for exploring the park and its lookouts.

Tips for Visiting Walpole-Nornalup National Park #

  • Drive the scenic route from Walpole to the park's main car parks to begin the Tree Top Walk or access forest trails.
  • Allow time for the giant tingle and karri trees; pauses at boardwalk overlooks reward slow walkers.
  • Visit the Warren River mouth at dusk for possible sightings of black swans and shorebirds.

Best Time to Visit Walpole-Nornalup National Park #

Autumn and spring are ideal for walking and seeing wildflowers; winter offers dramatic forest moods.

Autumn and spring
March-May, September-November · 12-22°C (54-72°F)
Pleasant temperatures for hiking and wildflower displays in spring.
Winter
June-August · 8-18°C (46-64°F)
Rainier, with swollen rivers and dramatic forest atmosphere.
Summer
December-February · 18-30°C (64-86°F)
Warmer and drier; best for coastal walks but can be hot inland.

Weather & Climate near Walpole-Nornalup National Park #

Climate

Walpole-Nornalup National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1157 mm/year), wettest in July.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
6.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 25 mm and breezy conditions.

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy

March

March is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 23°

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 21°

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (153 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°

Weather

153 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (173 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

173 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (195 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

195 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

161 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 22°

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Walpole-Nornalup National Park