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Understory, Art in Nature, Northcliffe Understory, Art in Nature, Northcliffe

  • Less than 1 hour
  • 1.2 km
    • Bush Walk Class 1

      All abilities access, flat, even, hardened surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required.

Children and adults alike will discover a unique walk trail which features a collection of artworks in a natural bush setting designed to get visitors to look at their surroundings in a new way. This unique eco and cultural tourism experience is the first of its kind in Australia.

Understory1 Northcliffe Frances Andrijich
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Located behind the Northcliffe Visitors Centre, Understory, Art In Nature provides a unique perspective on native forest as artisans of many media have produced artwork that interacts with the natural ecosystem.  Collated in an interesting form, you will want to slow down and look around in order to not miss some of the fascinating installations.

Consisting mainly of sculpture, the trail also includes audio tours of poetry, prose and purposely written music. When venturing around the trail the presence of sculpture makes you look differently at the bush – looking up, down and deep into the forest. In looking for art you find the natural art of the forest. Keep an eye out for the little people of the forest; they seem to appear as if by magic. Children can venture to the story nooks and listen to especially written tales of the bush.

Yes - the "Voices from the Forest" audio tour is specifically tailored for children and includes five stories "told" by animals of the forest.  Each of the stories is listened to when reaching one of the five "Children's Storytelling Nook's". Entry fees apply, enter via the Northcliffe Visitor Centre. Open daily 9am - 4pm except 25,26 December and Good Friday. 

Northcliffe Visitor Centre

(08) 9776 7203

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Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

1 to 1.5 hours

Length

1.2km loop

What To Pack

Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.

Trail Start

Northcliffe Visitor Information Centre, Muirillup Road, 360km (4.5 hours) south of Perth

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Trail End

Bush Walk

Class 1

All abilities access, flat, even, hardened surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Hazards & Warnings

Beware of snakes in summer – December to February

Facilities

Descriptive brochure and audio tour available from visitor centre
  • Car Park
  • Child Activities
  • All accessible parking
  • All accessible toilet facilities
  • Visitor Information Centre

Best time of year

The walk is open daily from 9.00am – 4.00pm with last entry at 3pm

Fees

Entry fees apply

Trail Access

Road or bus to Northcliffe

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2 trail goers have rated Understory, Art in Nature, Northcliffe as 5 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Jazmin Maher

Reviewed 27 Jan 2023, 10:15am

Great and very interesting walk! $10 entry fee and 100% worth the price.
Fiona Sinclair

Reviewed 23 Jun 2015, 11:02am

OK, so I'm obviously biased about this experience...but why can't a group of local residents be passionate about what's in their own backyard? After nine years of walking this trail regularly we still always find something new to enjoy about the trail.

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Trails are free and bring so many benefits to our community by providing opportunities to have fun, get fit, socialise, explore and challenge yourself. But they also have to be managed and maintained which only is made possible through terrific sponsors, donations and/or volunteering.

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