Giant Tree Loop Walk, Walpole
Overview
This is an easy 800-metre walk and just seven kilometres from Walpole, yet deep in the heart of outstandingly beautiful tingle and karri forest, the Giant Tingle Tree is the site of a huge fire-hollowed red tingle tree.
Tingle Tree, Walpole
Photo Credit: http://www.rainbowcoast.com.au/
About the Trail
Opposite Knoll Drive, Hilltop Road winds through a very special red tingle and Karri forest. Two kilometres along this one-way road will bring you to a spectacular lookout over the Frankland River, Nornalup Inlet and Southern Ocean. Three kilometres after the lookout will bring you to the carpark of the Giant Tingle Tree.
From here starts an 800m circular walk which leads down to the Giant Tingle Tree and the boardwalk that protects it. At 24 metres, this is the largest, living, girthed eucalypt known in the world.
Access is via a wooden boardwalk around the base of this Queen of trees. This is an opportunity to explore this wilderness, learning as you go. The signposts have great information about the flora and fauna of this native forest of the south coast. The Hollowbutt sign explains how the heartwood is burned from the trees and how the outer layer sustains these giant trees. Amazing!
Explore the forest along the Giant Tree Loop Walk and enjoy a picnic among the beautiful tingle and karri forest.
This is a popular stop while traveling along the Hill Top Scenic Drive east of Walpole which can be accessed from the South Coast Highway. The road into the Giant Tingle Tree site is gravel and accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. Not suitable if towing a caravan.
Need to Know
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Time
30 minutes -
Distance
800 metre loop Length is .8km (Loop). -
Trail Start (Loop)
Opposite Knoll Drive of Hilltop Road, 416km (4.5 hours) south of Perth -
Degree of Difficulty
Easy - Suits majority of fitness and experience levels.
Bush Walk: Grade 2 - No bushwalking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10km. Suitable for families with young children. -
What to Pack?
Group A (Urban trails or short trails near facilities) required.
- Full large water bottle per person.
- Sturdy shoes
- Sun hat or bike helmet (compulsory in WA)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen (30+) and insect repellant
- Clothes to suit the activity and potential weather conditions
- Binoculars and camera (optional)
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Best Time of the Year
All year -
Facilities
-
Trail Contact
Department of Parks and Wildlife
Telephone: 08 9840 0400
Web: http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploreparkswa
Twitter: @@ExploreParksWA
Destinations
Walpole
Walpole opens up a world of enchanted forest experiences. Here, you can ascend 40 metres into the forest canopy for a bird's eye view of the tallest timber giants on Earth. But the real beauty of it is you only need to take a gentle 600 metre stroll along The Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk to take in the spectacular views. This charming south coast town lies just one and a half hours west of Albany and under five hours south of Perth. It's a must-see of the Great Southern region and an easy day trip from many South West towns. Perhaps the most scenic way to get here is on foot. Walpole sits beside one of the world's greatest long distance walk trails - the Bibbulmun Track. Running nearly 1,000 kilometres from Perth, the trail meets the Southern Ocean at Walpole and follows the coast to its finishing point in Albany. For lovers of the great outdoors, Walpole is an adventure playground of national parks, state forests, wide sandy beaches, pretty picnic spots, tranquil rivers and inlets. It's the perfect place to indulge your passion for bushwalking, bird watching, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, power boating, sailing and beach four wheel driving. Take the 10-minute drive to the Valley of the Giants in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and walk among the 400 year old tingle trees at the Tree Top Walk and Ancient Empire Grove. Head up to Hilltop Road and gaze in awe at the 70 metre Giant Red Tingle Tree. Stop to snap the dramatic whirlpool at Circular Pool on the Frankland River. Take in 360 degree views from the summit of Mount Frankland. Find a quiet spot to watch for wrens, sea eagles, pelicans and scarlet western rosellas. Hop on a cruise of the inlet. Or discover the story of the Norwegian crew who survived the ship wreck at Mandalay Beach. There's more than a day's worth of things to see and do and plenty of accommodation options, from luxury chalet and retreats, to a bed and breakfast, motel and campsite.
Walpole
Visitor Centres
Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre
Pioneer Park South Coast Highway, Walpole Western Australia 6398, Australia
Phone: (08) 9840 1111
| www.walpole.com.au
The Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre is located in Australia’s South West Region. As an accredited Visitor Centre they offer a one stop shop of information provided by local experts. Stock up on maps, get some ideas on the best things to see and do or book your tours or accommodation. The Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 4.00pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. They are closed Christmas Day.
Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre
