Nornalup to Monastery Landing, Kapagup Nornalup Paddle Network Nornalup to Monastery Landing, Kapagup Nornalup Paddle Network

With dense vegetation and towering karri trees on either side, this paddle up the Frankland River will blow your mind. As you follow the twists and turns of the river, you will be amazed at the views. 

Take your time at Monastery Landing which is a place that people visit to appreciate the quiet, stillness of the wilderness. 

In March 1910, a Ministerial party led by James Mitchell came to Nornalup to assess the district’s potential for agriculture and timber. They rowed up the Frankland River to this point. Much impressed by the extraordinary beauty of the river and surrounding forest, an on-the-spot decision was made to set aside the area for conservation. 

370 hectares alongside the Frankland River were subsequently declared an A Class Reserve on the 30 September 1910 – the beginning of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

When the first settlers were looking at the land around Walpole and Nornalup, a team of surveyors rowed up the Frankland River to this point. Overawed by the majestic beauty and solitude of the river and surrounding forest, a surveyor’s assistant gasped and said, ‘It’s as quiet as a monastery’ and ‘Monastery Landing’ it has been called ever since.

Offering protection from the wind, the lower Frankland River is classified as easy with slow to fast moving water and few obstacles. Although the river flows all year round, about eighty percent of the discharge occurs during winter and spring, which can result in seasonal currents requiring advanced paddling skills.

It is 5km upstream from Nornalup to Monastery Landing. Plan to paddle back to Nornalup as the road into Monastery Landing can be closed in wet weather. 

You can also paddle downstream to the Nornalup Inlet and beyond from Nornalup. Look for other paddling suggestions in the Kapagup Nornalup Paddle Network on TrailsWA or on the trailhead signage at Nornalup.