About this park
Tuart Forest National Park is a peaceful forest woodland, perfect for a forest walk, picnic or nature watch. But you might not know of this park’s important purpose. It protects the largest remaining pure forest of Tuart trees in the world. It has the tallest and largest specimens of Tuart trees on the Swan Coastal Plain. Some trees are more than 33m high and 10m in girth. Wow!
It’s quite an experience to walk or drive through a whole forest of these majestic trees. Tuarts only grow on coastal limestone, 200km on either side of Perth. And nowhere else!
Tuart forests were once abundant. They were open, with good visibility and tall grassland carpeted the forest floor. Aboriginal people used this grassland to shelter and hunt wildlife.
European colonisation changed the landscape dramatically. Tuart forests were cleared for settlement, timber and fuel. Timber cutting operations continued throughout the 1800’s and into the 20th Century. The National Park was declared in 1987. Now the area is a refuge for these majestic trees, famed for their tallness and straightness.
There’s lots to see here. In spring the park is a riot of colour as wildflowers burst into bloom. In wetter months look out for the many types of fungi, some have yet to be named! All year-round bird spotters will love the waterbirds and other species.
The forest is home to WA's largest remaining wild population of the endangered western ringtail possum. Explore the Possum Night Spotlighting Trail. Follow the reflective trail markers and use your torch. You could be lucky and spot nocturnal residents including the brush-tailed phascogale, bush rat, kangaroo, quenda, and at least 11 species of birds of prey and nocturnal birds. That’s worth staying awake for!
Review - Lovely forest views
Beautiful drive through the Tuart Forest National Park, watch out for the kangaroos between dusk and dawn! Wm551 - Trip Advisor
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about bushwalking. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
Western Shield - The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife.
Meat baits containing 1080 poison are laid in or around this area on an ongoing basis. 1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs. Pets are not permitted in this park.
For further information contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office or visit Western Shield.
Gallery
Activities
High ropes course
Forest Adventures South West has six huge courses of rope and wire challenges and, flying foxes set among the majestic trees of the Ludlow Tuart Forest - 2.5 hours of pure adrenaline-filled fun.
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in Tuart Forest National Park.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Wardandi people as the Traditional Owners of Tuart Forest National Park.
