Stirling Range National ParkFauna Flora Landscape

Rising to more than 1000 m above sea level, the Stirling Range National Park is home to the only major mountain range in the southern region of Western Australia.

The Aboriginal name for the range is Koi Kyenunu-ruff, meaning ‘mist rolling around the mountains’ which is a frequently seen occurrence. Bluff Knoll, or Bular Mial, is a place of cultural significance for the Minang and Goreng people, with information and stories that on the park signage at the Eastern Lookout.

Hakea lehmanniana (Blue Hakea), Stirling Range NP WA © Terry Dunham
Hakea lehmanniana (Blue Hakea), Stirling Range NP WA © Terry Dunham

The national park is home to many species of flora and fauna. Whilst you can see flora and fauna all through the year, it is In spring and early summer, when the national park really comes to life with wildflowers, animals, bird life and insects.

Some of the wildlife observed here include mammals including the Western Pygmy-possum, Dusky Dunnart; reptiles including a variety of skinks and geckoes; birds such as the Red Wattlebird, Short-billed Black-cockatoo, Red-rumped Tit; amphibians such as the Bleating Froglet, Glauert’s Froglet; and insects including native bees, beetles, moths and butterflies.

Zanda latirostris (Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Zanda latirostris (Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham

A great resource to see flora and fauna observations in the Stirling Range National Park is iNaturalistAU (see the link in the footnote-reference below)3.

Banksia baxteri (Baxter's Banksia), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Banksia baxteri (Baxter’s Banksia), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham

Some of the attractions include Bluff Knoll, Mount Trio, Toolbrunup Peak, Talyuberlup, Mount Hassell, Mount Magog, Red Gum Spring, White Gum Flat, Central Lookout, Eastern Lookout and the Western Lookout.

Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham

Of course the park is a great place to enjoy the mountain hiking trails, scenic drives, lookouts and having a picnic in the many picnic areas scattered throughout the park.

There are also options to camp, caravan or stay at one of the nearby accommodation retreats.

Cryptostylis ovata (Slipper Orchid), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Cryptostylis ovata (Slipper Orchid), Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham

During the spring season of September to November, the national park puts on a colourful display of wildflowers, including some very special orchids such as Custard suns, Blue Lady suns, Scented Blue suns, Lemon scented suns, White Fairys, Pink Enamels, large White Spiders, Joseph’s Spiders, Rattlebeaks, Dragons, Cowslips, Hybrid Spiders, Zebras, Purple Enamels, Little Leeks, Duck Orchids and more…

Wildflowers at Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Wildflowers at Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham
Stirling Range National Park WA © Terry Dunham

This section is a work in progress…

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs © Terry Dunham
  2. Stirling Range National Park, Parks and Wildlife Service, Government of Western Australia, https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/stirling-range-national-park
  3. Stirling Range National Park – Observations, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=68805&subview=map&view=species

Stirling Range National ParkFauna Flora Landscape

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