St John Brook Conservation Park

This lesser-known conservation park is a nice spot for bushwalking and mountain biking. The Timberline Trail guides both walkers and cyclists through this forest landscape. If you like to swim in forest settings, then two pretty pools have your name on them! Head over to Workmans Pool and Barrabup Pool for a refreshing dip.  

A sense of calm fills the air as St John Brook babbles serenely through the park. It’s a watery haven for native fish including western minnow, night fish, and western pygmy perch. Fragrant swamp peppermints fringe the banks of the brook. How delightful!

The natural landscape of the area also includes open forest with marri, river banksia, and peppermint. The birdlife is abundant here. At least 38 species are attracted by the food and shelter of this woodland. See small birds flitting around the dense undergrowth. Cast your gaze up to the jarrah on the higher hilltops and you may hear the distinctive ‘kraw’ of forest red tailed black-cockatoos. Other wildlife includes six types of reptiles, four amphibians and 11 mammals. It’s great!

The park has quite a history. Back in 1910 a timber mill was established on the banks of St John Brook. Prized jarrah timber was transported by rail through the area. Today, you can follow the route of the rail line on the Timberline Trail.

Long before European settlement, Nyoongar Aboriginal people probably followed St John Brook at the end of summer as they moved from the coastal lowlands to the open woodlands inland.

Set up camp at one of the park’s three campgrounds. See you there!