FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK

Fitzgerald River National Park is renowned for its diverse and spectacular scenery and flora, which in turn supports a number of threatened animals.

Surrounding the inlets of the Gairdner, Fitzgerald and Hamersley Rivers, between Bremer Bay and Hopetoun on the South Coast of Western Australia, lies one of the most diverse botanical regions in the world. More than 1800 beautiful and bizarre species of flowering plants, as well as a myriad of lichens, mosses and fungi, have been recorded in Fitzgerald River National Park. This represents nearly 20 per cent of the total number of plant species in Western Australia, in an area that covers only a tiny fraction of the State.

The coastal hills, collectively known as the Barrens, are the most distinctive landforms in the park and many plants found nowhere else in the world are restricted to them. The Barrens are composed of quartzites; the tilted and folded rock beds, like those seen at East Mount Barren, were once layers of sand deposited on the sea floor. They were subsequently compressed, heated and uplifted by movements of the Earth's crust.

The park is also known for its spongelite cliffs, which are exposed along the Hamersley and Fitzgerald River valleys. The soft rock was formed more than 36 million years ago, when the sea level was higher than today and flooded the coast up to 65 kilometres inland, leaving the Barren Ranges as islands. Sponges proliferated in the warm shallow seas, and their silica skeletons in the silty sediments gave rise to the name of the rock type.

The park is approximately 550 kilometres southeast of Perth, the National Park is approximately 180 kilometres northeast of Albany and about 220 kilometres west of Esperance.

There is so much to do as tourists can enjoy sightseeing, walking, photography, camping, canoeing and fishing. During the winter months you can see spectacular views of southern right whales from the cliffs at Point Ann. The spongelite cliffs can be seen along the Fitzgerald and Hamersley Rivers.

AVAILABLE HOLIDAY PACKAGES TO THIS REGION:

Adelaide to Perth 10 Day Wildlife Adventure Enjoy a sunset at Lake Gairdner, a tour to the Coodlie Park Farm Retreat and see the indigenous men and women doing traditional art paintings at the Ceduna Indigenous Arts and Culture Centre. Rate from : Available on request

Perth to Adelaide 9 Day Wildlife Adventure Be amazed by the rock formation at Wave Rock and journey onto the Nullarbor Plains to see the majestic Nullarbor Cliffs. Visit the historical settlement in Fowlers Bay and enjoy some extreme fun sand boarding on the massive sand dunes. Rate from : Available on request

Secrets of the Esperance 6 Day Wildlife Adventure Experience an adventure in the Fitzgerald & the Cape Le Grand National Parks and enjoy the coastline with white sandy beaches where you can snorkel, boogie board and fish. This tour will allow you to captivate Australia's unique wildlife. Rate from : Available on request