An online visitor's guide to Western Australia's parks, reserves and other recreation areas.
D'Entrecasteaux National Park 
D'Entrecasteaux National Park
Coastline
Pelican
Banksia
Banksia Camp Lodge
Mandalay Beach
Chatham Is off Walpole's western beaches
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Introduction:
Qualities of remoteness and pristine natural beauty are features of D'Entrecasteaux National Park (pronounced don-truh-cast-oh, with slight stress on the last syllable). Spectacular coastal cliffs, beaches, mobile sand dunes, vast coastal wildflower heaths and even pockets of karri are all part of the scenery. The park has isolated beach camp sites, wild coastal vistas and excellent fishing. Much of the park is managed for its wilderness values, so few facilities are provided.
Going to the Coast - D'Entrecasteaux National Park information guide (1021.83 kB)
Geology and Wetlands
Major streams and rivers, including the Warren, Donnelly and Shannon, drain through D'Entrecasteaux and empty into its coastal waters. High sand dunes and limestone cliffs on the sea coast give way to coastal heathlands and a series of lakes and swamps further inland. These include Lake Yeagarup and Lake Jasper, which is the largest freshwater lake in the southern half of Western Australia. Vast areas of wetlands behind the coastal dunes are known as The Blackwater. Another outstanding feature is the Yeagarup Dune, an impressive mobile dune 10 kilometres long.
The D'Entrecasteaux National Park and its inland neighbour the Shannon National Park surround one of Western Australia's largest inlets. Broke Inlet is also the only large estuary in the South-West that has not been significantly altered, either by developments along its shores or within its catchment area. Lying at the park's eastern end, it is a large, shallow estuary, linked to the ocean by a narrow seasonally open channel that passes through high ridges of windblown sand dunes. Sandy beaches along its shores are interspersed with low, rocky headlands of gneiss. The gneissic basement projects above water level in many places to form several small islands.
The basalt columns west of Black Point are one of the park's most stunning landforms. This feature originated from a volcanic lava flow, some 135 million years ago. The formation resulted from the slow cooling of a deep pool of lava, similar to the development of mud cracks. In the process of it cracking and shrinking, columns were formed perpendicular to the surface. The result was a close-packed series of hexagonal columns, now slowly being eroded by the sea.
Recreation and Visitor Facilities
Recreation and Visitor Facilities
Windy Harbour, Salmon Beach, Mandalay Beach and Broke Inlet are the only coastal areas of this large park which are accessible by conventional vehicle. Four-wheel-drive tracks lead to other coastal fishing and camping spots. Stay on existing tracks and reduce your tyre pressure in summer to cope with sand. Sand tracks make travelling slow inside the park. Many places, such as the mouth of the Donnelly River, can be reached only by small boat. Significant vehicle exclusion areas provide those who are willing to hike with an opportunity to experience seclusion on a deserted beach. If you intend to go walking make sure you are properly equipped with map and compass - this is wild country.
Yeagarup Lake is the ‘Gateway’ to the vast mobile sand dunes which stretch along this coastline. The journey across the dunes is challenging yet rewarding, with fantastic coastline awaiting you.
Where is it?: 20km from Pemberton. Travel along the Vasse Hwy and
turn off onto Ritter Road within the Warren National Park. Ritter Road will take you straight to Yeagarup Lake. From
the lake let your tyres down to take the track over the dunes to the beach.
Travelling time: It takes approximately 35 mins to get to Yeagarup Lake
from Pemberton and then approximately 40 minutes to get onto the beach.
What to do: Traverse the challenging sand dunes in your 4WD to the beach for fishing and beachcombing. Set up camp at the Leaning Marri Campsite near the lake and enjoy a BBQ or picnic, walking, and photography.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic shelters tables, camping sites and BBQs at Yeagarup Lake.
Best Season: Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Base yourself along side Carey Brook and explore the natural surroundings. Cruise down the river, journey through the karri forest and enjoy the natural beauty.
Where is it?: Follow the Vasse Highway 25kms from Pemberton to just north of Karri Valley Resort, turn onto Boat Landing Road and continue through to the campsites.
Travelling time: Approximately 25 mins from Pemberton.
What to do: Camping, bush walking, picnicking, fishing, bird watching, photography, boating.
Facilities: Wood BBQs, picnic tables, camp kitchen, river access and toilets.
Best Season: All year.
The Walpole-Nornalup and D' Entrecasteaux National Parks contain a diverse range of vegetation and landform types such as long white beaches, rugged cliffs, vast coastal sand dunes, extensive coastal wetlands, islands of tingle and karri forest, that make for a spectacular visual mosaic.
Four such beaches that you can visit are Hush Hush beach, Long Point, Little Long Point and Lost Beach, which are only accessible by 4WD. The tracks to these beaches start at Crystal Springs and meander through coastal heath, which is in flower through spring. Several sections of the access track contain soft sand, so you will need to let your tyre pressure down. Bring your own air compressor to reinflate your tyres afterwards.
The beaches offer breathtaking coastal scenery ideal for photos, fishing, walking, beachcombing and general sightseeing. But please take care, as it is a coastal risk area.
- Discover Walpole's Western Beaches (420.62 Kb)
This campsite is situated beneath a mature peppermint grove and provides attractive opportunities for camping with tents.
Where is it?: 18km west of Walpole, turn off South West
Highway at Crystal Springs
Travelling
time: 15 minutes by car from Walpole.
What
to do: Camp under the peppermints. This is an excellent base from where you can
explore surrounding D'Entrecasteaux and Walpole Nornalup National Parks.
Facilities:
Tent sites, rainwater tank, wood BBQ's, toilets and picnic tables. Camping
fees apply.
- Discover Crystal Springs - D'Entrecasteaux NP (386.33 Kb)
Mandalay beach takes its name from the Norwegian barque Mandalay wrecked there in 1911. Mandalay is popular with anglers, but even if you don't fish, it's worth the visit for the spectacular views of the southern ocean and of Chatham Island, which looms out of the water 3 kilometres offshore. Signs tell you more about the wreck of the Mandalay.
Where is it?: 18km west of Walpole. Turn off the South
Coast Highway at Crystal Springs and follow the narrow winding road to
the beach. Take extreme care.
Travelling time: 35 minutes from Walpole.
What to do: Fishing, walking, sight-seeing, photography (especially at dusk), beachcombing, swimming (beware of strong rips).
Facilities: Walktrail to beach, boardwalk and stairway to beach, interpretation display.
Best Season: All year.
Discover Mandalay Beach - D'Entrecasteaux NP (373.00 Kb)
D‘Entrecasteaux National Park boasts some of the best coastline in the world and the beach at Banksia Camp is no exception, its pristine waters and bright white clean sand is impressive. Fishing off the rocks at Banksia camp can be very rewarding, but remember that rock fishing can be dangerous.
What you need to know: The track in is
through soft sand, so you will need to let your tyre pressure down (remember to
bring your own air compressor to reinflate afterwards). The track takes you
through coastal heathland, which comes alive with colour in the wildflower
season.
Where is it?: Turn off the South West Highway at Crystal
Springs 12km west of Walpole and follow the winding Mandalay Beach Rd for
approximately 7km until you come across the sign for Banksia Camp. Follow the 4
wheel drive track for 2km to the site.
Travelling time: Approximately
half an hour from Walpole.
Camping:
Banksia Camp site is provided for visitors who wish to spend more time
exploring the spectacular landscapes of this National Park. The Banksia Hut
replaces the old hut that was erected back in 1965.
Camping fees are compulsory
at Banksia Camp. $6.50/night/adult, $2.00/night/child (5-16 years)
Discover Banksia Camp - D'Entrecasteaux NP (365.16 Kb)
Banksia Camp Lodge Rules
The Banksia Camp Lodge is a roomy shelter containing four bedrooms and a common area that is designed to accommodate 12 people comfortably. The hut cannot be pre-booked or reserved in any way so visitors are advised to carry a tent in case it is fully occupied on arrival. Please note that this facility is provided for all visitors so limit your stay to a maximum of three days.
Rainwater is provided at the hut for all visitors. Please use this resource sparingly as it is limited. The purity of water cannot be guaranteed; therefore it should be treated before drinking.
Banksia Camp Lodge is provided as a shared resource to improve your experience in D'Entrecasteaux National Park.
The following rules of etiquette apply:
- Usage - During busy times of the year it is asked that visitors limit their stay to a maximum of three nights to allow others the opportunity to use this facility.
- Noise - Please respect other hut users by keeping noise levels down after 10pm.
- Litter - remember to clean up after your visit and take your rubbish away with you to dispose of appropriately.
- Fish cleaning - do not clean fish in or nearby the hut.
- Generators - are permitted if they are not overly noisy, and may only run from 8am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm. Ensure generators are placed in a clear site so that surrounding vegetation will not catch fire.
- Others' rights - respect the needs and rights of other hut users - share it and enjoy it!
Walks
Walks:
- MOUNT CHUDALUP - Scenic, moderate to steep, 1 km, 30 minute walk to the top of Mount Chudalup. Dangerous in windy weather, not recommended for children or frail people.
Where is it?: The park stretches for 130 km from Black Point, 35 km east of Augusta, to Long Point 10 km west of Walpole, extending inland for between five and 20 km. It lies 8 km from Northcliffe and 40 km from Pemberton.
Travelling time: Sand tracks make travelling slow within the park.
Best season: All year Seasonal Closures: Fisherman track to Broke Inlet Mouth closed June to November. Contact Walpole office (below) for opening/closing details.
What to see and do: Camping, bushwalking, boating, fishing, beachcombing. Yeagarup Dunes are ideal for performance kite flying. Coastal lookouts, beaches, 4wd tracks, granite peaks, karri forest
Safety information: Nearest CALM offices: Frankland District Office, South Western Highway Walpole. Donnelly District Office, Kennedy St, Pemberton.
Extra facilities:
Note to campers at Lane Poole Reserve
