Perth: Yanchep National Park
National Park and Nature Walk
We recently visited Yanchep National Park near Perth. Our main goal was to see the koalas. It was mid-afternoon on a warm day. The koalas had eaten earlier in the day when it was cooler, so when we got there, they were high in the treetops taking their afternoon naps.
Our timing was similar to our trip to view the monkeys in Baco National Park near Kuching, Malaysia a few weeks ago. It was midafternoon there too and the monkeys were sleeping in the treetops too. If you are going sightseeing to see large forest animals, it would be better to go earlier in the day or to stay overnight in the park, so you are there very early in the morning to view them feeding. Still, we did get to see monkeys napping and koalas napping, so we were happy on both trips.
In Yanchep, while I had my camera in my hand and was looking at the treetops, this pink and gray cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapilla), also known as a galah bird, flew in and stopped long enough for me to get a photo. Lovely. I had missed getting a photo of one at Kings Park the day before so was happy with this photo.
There are many activities at Yanchep National Park including Aboriginal Cultural Experience, Crystal Cave Tour, Adventure Caving, Treetops Adventure, and there are several walking trails.
We did the Caves Walk Trail. It was very interesting with informative signs along the way. “The formation of this limestone began when aeolian or “wind-blown” deposits of beach sand and shell fragments formed coastal dunes. Water then dissolved the calcium carbonate from shell fragments and cemented the sand together to form the limestone.” (Source: information sign at the site)
“Limestone is home to an abundance of life-forms both above and below ground. Many of these life-forms are invertebrates which are so small that they are not easily seen.” (Source: information sign at the site)
“As this limestone formed, it dissolved from beneath by an underground stream. The limestone eventually collapsed and created the gorge that surrounds you.” (Source: information sign at the site)
As we learned in the Fairy Caves in Sarawak, the limestone provides nutrients to plants, so the ecosystem starts to develop slowly one plant at a time.
We also enjoyed viewing the wetlands in Yanchep National Park and viewing some buildings on the site.
There is so much to do at the park. Plan to arrange a few days to tour it to take advantage of everything that is offered.
Perth’s Kings Park Bushland Flowers and Birds