Yalgorup National Park Park

Website: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/yalgorup

A protected coastal national park on the Swan Coastal Plain of southwestern Western Australia that conserves a chain of saline and brackish lakes and associated dunes and wetlands. The park is notable for its lake systems and unique microbialite formations.

Shallow lakes and wetlands, with accessible viewpoints and short walks that allow observation of waterbirds and wetland ecology. A shore-side boardwalk and interpretive signage at the principal lake enable visitors to view the thrombolites and learn about their biology and conservation.

The area has been managed for conservation to protect its wetlands and the distinctive microbialite communities; the lakes have traditional significance for local Indigenous peoples and later were recognised for their scientific and ecological value.

Situated on the coastal plain of southwestern Western Australia, the park encompasses lakes and shoreline near Lake Clifton and adjacent coastal settlements on the state’s west coast.

• Thrombolites: Home to thrombolites at Lake Clifton, one of the few locations in Australia where these living sedimentary structures occur and are accessible for viewing from shore.
• Birdwatching tip: Important for waterbird habitat including seasonal and migratory species; best birdwatching in calm weather and outside the hottest midday hours.

What to See#

• Lake Clifton: Lake Clifton contains living microbial structures known as thrombolites, a rare type of microbialite that forms rock-like buildups in shallow water.
• Chain of lakes: A series of coastal salt and brackish lakes and wetlands aligned along the Swan Coastal Plain that together form the park’s primary ecological feature.

Yalgorup National Park is about 80-100 km south of Perth by road, accessible via the Forrest Highway and local coastal roads. Drive from Mandurah or Bunbury and follow park signage to car parks and trailheads.

• Drive the scenic coastal routes and stop at the Yalgorup lakes for birdwatching-early morning and late afternoon yield the best avian activity.
• Look for thrombolite formations at some of the lakes; they are living microbial structures and fragile-observe but do not touch.