The Walpole Region is simply beautiful, a stunning forested natural area, home or adjacent to 10 National Parks, 430kms south of Perth.

Walpole is 66km west of Denmark Town in the Shire of Manjimup and Walpole's sister settlement Nornalup lies 47km west of Denmark, within the boundaries of the Shire of Denmark.

The Walpole Region is an unspoilt landscape of ancient, magnificent karri, jarrah and tingle forests, tranquil rivers and wetlands, striking granite peaks and sheer coastal cliffs that overlook the Southern Ocean. 

Walpole town lies at the northern edge of the Walpole Inlet, amidst the Walpole-Nornalup National Park, and is one of the few towns on the path of the Bibbulmun Track. 

Walpole is in the heart of the Walpole Wilderness Area,  which is over 350,000 hectares of National Park, Nature Reserve and Forest Conservation Area. Walpole-Nornalup National Park is part of the Walpole Wilderness Area and the Great South West Edge.  The population of Walpole is only 500 but over 250,000 tourists visit each year to be surrounded by nature! 

Walpole Wilderness Area and the South West Edge...

William Preston and his party officially explored the Walpole-Nornalup area in 1831 and permanent settlement followed in 1910.  With the introduction of the Nornalup Land Settlement Scheme, the district was opened for agriculture in 1930.  Walpole was originaly named Nornalup but this changed in 1934. 

We recognise and acknowledge Wagyl Kaip people as the traditional custodians of Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park.

The two estuaries are joined by 'The Knolls' a natural deep densely forested karri, marri and tingle channel that you can drive, walk or cycle around.  Both inlets both offer the unique opportunity to see bird life.

Picnic tables and BBQ's are provided at Coalmine Beach, The Channels and Sandy Beach. 

So many wonderful places to visit...

Canoeing and kayaking is a popular activity for visitors and locals alike.  You can launch a boat or kayak to explore the inlets and rivers at Rest Point, Coalmine Beach boat ramp, Walpole town jetty, Isle Road and Nornalup. 

The Frankland River Paddle takes half a day and is considered an easy 13km loop and suitable for the whole family. Enjoy the secluded paddle along the quiet forested river in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. Paddle upstream from the Nornalup town jetty, located just from the bridge or head downstream from Nornalup where you can easily get to the Inlet and then across to Walpole township which is a distance of about 10km.  You can hire canoes locally. 

If you're coming to Walpole we recommend visiting the grandmother tingle tree at the Giant Tingle Tree north of Walpole, take a glimpse at Circular Pool, and visit Fernhook Falls waterfalls in Mount Frankland National Park.

At Conspicuous Cliff you can enjoy the lookout or the boardwalk and steep stairs down to the beach from the car park.  This is a great whale watching look out between June and October and is a popular surfing and fishing spot! 

The Mount Clare Summit Trail is a gentle walk in the spectacular tingle and karri forest.

Visit Mandalay Beach in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, its one of the most beautiful beaches on the Rainbow Coast, on the western edge of the forests around 30 minutes from Walpole. Descend to the beach from the dune-side boardwalk for a stunning view!   Anglers catch herring, skippy, whiting and salmon. It is also a popular bushwalking and surfing spot, if you're very lucky you might catch a glimpse of the shipwreck Mandalay, beached on 15th of May 1911. 

The Walpole Wilderness Area is an international biodiversity hotspot:

• Walpole-Nornalup National Park is huge. Encompassing the Treetop Walk, Hilltop Lookout, Circular Pool and the Giant Tingle Tree Trail. 
• Mount Frankland National Park is located north of Walpole, the summit views from Mount Frankland are incredible and Fernhook Falls is a great walk. Bring good shoes.
• D'Entrecasteaux National Park offers amazing views from Mandalay Beach or 4WD tracks.The wreck of the Mandalay lies just offshore approximately 300 m east of the wooden viewing platform. 
   

Walpole Visitor Information and Tourism Resources:

Attractions in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park:

Mount Frankland National Park Attractions

The 1.2km return Summit Climb is magnificent and highly recommended.Although a difficult walk, which requires you to climb a ladder and a series of steep steps, the spectacular 360 degree views is well worth the effort! 

The 600m sealed path leads you to the Mt Frankland Wilderness Lookout, it is an easy walk which is universally accessible and offers uninterrupted views of the forests,  heathland and granite peaks.  Towerman’s Hut and Caldyanup Trails make this destination suitable for visitors of all ages. Children especially love it here!  

Enjoy a picnic in the forest. The National Park is only accessible from the south (Walpole) or the west (South Western Highway). 

Fernhook Falls is a popular attraction of Mount Frankland National Park

The waters of the Deep River at Fernhook falls are well worth exploring.  The waterfalls strength depends on which time of year you go, in the summer it may be trickling whereas during the winter months the waterfall will be wildly gushing over the ancient granite boulders, a sensory delight!

There are walking trails and boardwalks that have been designed especially to view the Falls better and to allow better access. 

D'Entrecasteaux National Park Attractions:

Mandalay Beach in D'entrecasteaux National Park is really amazing. The boardwalk hugging the cliffside and the views south to the islands and channels of the south western edge of Australia... truly beautiful.  A good day trip is to visit Mount Frankland in the morning and on your way home stop at Mandalay Beach for a breath of fresh sea breeze. You may be lucky enough to see the masts of the Mandalay... every ten years or so the shipwreck appears from beneath the sand. Wow.

Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk & The Ancient Empires Walk:

The Valley of the Giants is the most visited place on the Rainbow Coast.  The architecturally designed pathway takes you gradually high into the treetops of the ancient giant tingle forest! It is safe, fun and informative.  The Ancient Empires walk is along the ground on boardwalks and pathways through the understory of this special southern forest.

Even though it is actually located in Denmark Shire, the Treetop Walk is actually closer to the town of Walpole. 

The Knoll Scenic Drive:

Just east of Walpole, The Knolls is a 5km one-way circular drive on the peninsula between the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets. The pleasant drive out onto the Knoll peninsula brings you beneath the trees, close to the water with inlet rock fishing spots and picnic areas.  Stop at the lookouts or BBQ under the karri and marri trees.