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West Mt Barren, Fitzgerald River NP

Goreng & Menang Noongar Country

Enjoy sensational views of the Fitzgerald River National Park and the Fitzgerald coast from West Mount Barren. This is a 1.7km return bushwalk and a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Part of Fitzgerald River National Park network

Bush Walk
Trail difficulty
Difficult
Trail difficulty

Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

  • Length 1.7km
  • Est. time 1-3 hours
  • Return
Today

15°C

16°

7°

Part of Fitzgerald River National Park network

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Queelup (place of the rock sheoak) is the Aboriginal Noongar name for this pale grey quartzite peak at the western end of the iconic Barrens Range. A walk to the ridgeline midway up the northern slope or to the summit is rewarded with sweeping views of the park and coast. 
The view takes in Gordon Inlet, Trigelow Beach, Point Ann and the distant outline of the central Barrens - Mid Mount Barren and Thumb Peak. On a clear day the Stirling Range (over 100km to the west) may be visible.

Botanical treasures
The peak and rolling plains below are blanketed in a diversity of plants that will delight nature lovers. Sixty-two plant species are found only in Fitzgerald River National Park, with a further 48 species more or less confined to the park. These include the Barrens regelia (Regelia velutina) and Barrens clawflower (Calothamnus validus), which grow only on the quartzite ridges and peaks of the Barrens Range. On the approach to West Mount Barren you will also discover the exquisite Quaalup bell (Pimelia physodes) and the Royal hakea (Hakea victoria), the park’s most famous and certainly most striking plant.

Albany Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9842 4500

Albany Visitor Centre

(08) 6820 3700

National Parks

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Flora and Fauna of Fitzgerald River National Park

359
Fitzgerald River National Park Animals, including bird, mammal and reptile species
441
Fitzgerald River National Park Plant species

Fitzgerald River National Park is one of Western Australia’s largest and most botanically significant national parks. The park boasts a rich diversity of native and rare plant species, 75 of which are found nowhere else. This spectacular park is a hidden gem, where wildflowers are a year-round feature, and marine mammals are often spotted along the coastline.

Commonly found plant and animal species

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater

Gliciphila melanops

Animalia: Aves

Red-capped Plover

Charadrius (Charadrius) ruficapillus

Animalia: Aves

Australian Pelican

Pelecanus conspicillatus

Animalia: Aves

Red-eared Firetail

Stagonopleura (Zonaeginthus) oculata

Animalia: Aves

Short-beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Animalia: Mammalia

Heath Monitor

Varanus rosenbergi

Animalia: Reptilia

Barrens Clawflower

Calothamnus validus

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Slender Mallee

Eucalyptus decurva

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Qualup Bell

Pimelea physodes

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Ravensthorpe Bottlebush

Beaufortia orbifolia

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Coast Bonefruit

Threlkeldia diffusa

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Twining Fringe-lily

Thysanotus patersonii

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Lantern Hakea

Hakea victoria

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Southern Right Whale

Eubalaena australis

Animalia: Mammalia

Conservation status: Vulnerable

VU

Be trail ready

Note that many roads in the park are unsealed and may be closed after heavy rain. 

Time / Duration

1-2 hours

Length

1.7km return

Fees

National Park fees

Trail Access

2WD access. 520km from Perth.

Trail Start

Carpark, end of West Mt Barren Road, Fitzgerald River NP

Get directions

Trail End

When to go

What’s the weather like?

Bush Walk

Class 4

Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

What To Pack

Hazards & Warnings

Cliff risks are significant in this park

Prohibited items

No pets in National Parks

Biodiversity

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife. 

Meat baits containing 1080 poison are laid in or around this area on an ongoing basis. 1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs. Please leave your pets at home or prevent them from entering this area.

For further information contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office or visit Western Shield.

Facilities

Campgrounds are located on the western side of the park at St Mary Inlet near Point Ann and on the eastern side of the park at Hamersley Inlet and Four Mile Campground. Camp fees apply. Accommodation is also available at Quaalup, where the renovated and heritage listed Quaalup Homestead is located.

  • Camping
  • Car Park
More tips for being Trail Ready

Today Aug 08, 11:51am

15°C

Feels like 15°C

Max 16°

Min 7°

Precipitation: 100%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 12.7km/h W

8-day forecast

Sat

16°

7°

Sun

13°

4°

Mon

17°

11°

Tue

12°

5°

Wed

15°

5°

Thu

18°

9°

Fri

19°

10°

Sat

20°

11°

Weather data provided by:

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1 trail goers have rated this trail 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.

Bruce Weiland

Reviewed 12 Dec 2022, 6:34pm

Great place that is more isolated than Frenchman's Peak that I also climbed this trip. Also only one other couple, unlike busier Frenchmans Peak. Easier walk than Frenchmans Peak because this is largely more of a normal walking trail up the hill as opposed to Frenchmans Peak scaling rock face, although this Mt Barren also does have some rocky sections to scale up/down. Great wildflowers out even in early December. Great views at the top of the beautiful Fitzgerald River NP. No facilities here. Recommended.

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