Shannon National Park
Shannon National Park Things to see and do Great Forest Trees Drive Great Forest Trees Drive is a self-guided, 48km drive that winds its way through spectacular old-growth karri, jarrah and marri forest. There are several stops along the way where you can stretch your legs, have a picnic or just enjoy the views. The drive starts from the day-use area on the northern side of the South Western Highway and finishes at the campground, south of the highway. Tune in to 100FM for radio broadcasts on the area.
Great Forest Trees Walk This 8km return (three hour) walk takes you deep into the karri forest starting and ending at Which tree is that? It follows an old forestry track and is steep in places.
Shannon Dam Walk Trail This easy, 3.5km return (1.5 hour) walk starts at the day-use area and follows the banks of the Shannon River to Shannon Dam.
Shannon National Park is between Manjimup and Walpole in the heart of karri country. The Great Forest Trees Drive shows off the best of this magnificent old growth karri forest. Snake Gully Lookout and Big Tree Grove are great places to view these forest giants up close. Camping, bushwalking, birdwatching and picnicking are all popular activities within Shannon National Park. You can even go canoeing on the Shannon Dam. The Shannon was home to a mill town that was built in the 1940s to cater for a timber shortage after World War ll. The settlement had 90 houses, a hall, church, store, post office and nursing station. The mill was closed in 1968 and the buildings were dismantled and removed. Traces of the old settlement can still be seen, such as the fruit trees growing in the cleared areas of the campground. The old logging tramways and roads are now used for walk trails and scenic drives.
Rocks Walk Trail This moderately hard 5.5km (two hour) loop walk trail meanders through the tall karri forest to Mokare’s Rock – a granite outcrop that overlooks the Shannon River valley. This walk starts at the day-use area.
Scenic Walk Trail This pretty 2.5km walk trail links the day-use area with the campground.
Camping The campground has toilets, gas barbecues, hot water showers and a variety of camp sites, some of which are suitable for caravans. Two camping huts are available on a first-come-firstserved basis. The Shannon Lodge is near the camping area and is available for hire. It sleeps up to six people and has single beds, a hot water system, showers, toilets and a slow combustion stove. This facility needs to be booked and torches and battery powered lanterns are a good idea as, without your own generator, there is no electricity. Contact the Parks and Wildlife office in Pemberton for details.
Fees National park entry fees and camping fees apply at the Shannon campground. The fees are used to maintain recreation facilities and visitor services within the park. Refer to the Park visitor fees brochure for more information.
How to get there Shannon National Park is 33km east of Northcliffe via Middleton Road, 55km south of Manjimup and 65km north of Walpole on the South Western Highway.