National Parks & Reserves

Tathra National Park

Map

DEG: -29.81022903 115.48738907
DMS: 29º 48′ 36.82″ S 115º 29′ 14.6″ E
UTM: 50 J 6701283mN 353827mE
Altitude: 235.3m
  • No dogs (or other pets) allowed
  • No entry fee
  • 4WD only

If you travel east of Eneabba, along the Carnamah – Eneabba Road, drive through the Tathra National Park, the Nyangar word for “beautiful place”. These reserves are a treasure trove of flora and fauna; wildflowers, kangaroos, emus and birdlife, even a couple of breeding eagles!

Park along the sides of the road, and take time to wander in along some of the marked tracks to really see some lovely species.

There are no facilities but Tathra National Park is noted for its diversity of flora and varying landscapes. You will experience sandplain country and rocky breakaways. The park covers 4322 hectares and is surrounded by farmland.

The diversity of flowering plants of the kwongan can clearly be seen. Did you know that Kwongan is the Noongar Aboriginal word for a type of open shrubland? Fascinating!

First to flower in winter are wattles and brown daviesias. Felted verrauxia has long spikes of small yellow flowers in early spring. Then pink myrtles, blue dampiera and leschenaultia begin to bloom, with delicate orchids springing up between shrubs. Wooly floxglove, a grey woolly plant with pink flowers in spring, grows along the road. By late spring, there are masses of different scarlet verticordia and yellow dryandras.

Come in late winter and spring for colourful displays of wildflowers. Remember the saying though – “take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints”.

Shire of Carnamah recognises and acknowledges Amangu people as the traditional owners of Tathra National Park.

Beekeepers Reserve

Map

DEG: -29.737249 115.032837
DMS: 29º 44′ 14.1″ S 115º 01′ 58.21″ E
UTM: 50 J 6708709mN 309755mE
Altitude: 42.42m
  • No dogs (or other pets) allowed
  • No entry fee
  • 4WD only

Located north of Eneabba, to the west of the Brand Highway, Beekeepers Reserve is a bloom of wildflowers. See in a small area a great variety of flowers during the season. Beekeepers Road, approximately 20km north of Eneabba townsite, can access the reserve.

Weelawadgi Cave

Map

DEG: -29.80255 115.09349
DMS: 29º 48′ 9.18″ S 115º 05′ 36.57″ E
UTM: 50 J 6701569mN 315741mE
Altitude: 59.45m
  • No dogs (or other pets) allowed
  • No entry fee
  • 4WD only

Weelawadgi Cave is quite out of the way and not as popular as the ones located in the Stockyard Gully Reserve. This area is home to lots of bees and even though their numbers seem to be down, you still need to be cautious of them. The entry to the cave is via a climb down into the crater and then further down into the actual cave. This is a great starter cave for exploring, and it seems to go a long way if you’re prepared to crawl on your stomach and have the appropriate gear. At about a hundred metres in there is a visitors’ book for those that wish to sign.

Stockyard Gully Reserve (Shire of Coorow)

Map

DEG: -29.92787821 115.10013801
DMS: 29º 55′ 40.36″ S 115º 06′ 0.49″ E
UTM: 50 J 6687689mN 316613mE
Altitude: 54.65m
  • No dogs (or other pets) allowed
  • No entry fee
  • 4WD only

Explore the limestone caves and what was once a natural stockyard for drovers coming to the markets in Perth.

The reserve is located south-west of Eneabba, primarily in the neighbouring Shire of Coorow.

Discover an area rich in limestone and caves. In Spring, the park is rich in wildflowers and orchids, including the rare Queen of Sheba orchid (Thelymitra variegate) and other Banksia species.

Stockyard Gully has an interesting history, named after the Stockmen who used the deep and cool gullies as a natural holding pen for their cattle. The stock were droved from Geraldton to Perth for market during the 1950’s. The cave and gully offered a safe and refreshing place to camp.

You too can cool off and explore the Stockyard Tunnel. It’s 250m long and is an easy, subterranean experience in a limestone cave which is part of a 1.5km loop walk trail. The middle of the tunnel is pitch black so make sure you bring a torch!

Explore the Stockyard Gully Cave Trail at: https://trailswa.com.au/trails/trail/stockyard-gully-cave-trail-stockyard-gully-reserve

https://www.coorow.wa.gov.au/Profiles/coorow/Assets/ClientData/Stockyard_Gully_Caves__6_.pdf