About this park
This marine park covers the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets. It also includes the tidal parts of the Frankland, Deep and Walpole rivers. These rivers also feed into the estuary system.
Come and explore these connected inlets. They have their own character and feel. Walpole Inlet is shallow (at most 1m deep) while Nornalup Inlet is larger and deeper (up to 5m). The estuaries are joined by a natural 1km long and 2m deep channel, bordered by steep granite hills and rocky shores. These are known locally as ‘The Knolls’. They look pretty as a picture cloaked with dense karri, marri and tingle forest.
The park’s nature, wildlife and scenery offer a wealth of opportunities for canoeing, boating, windsurfing, fishing and other water-based activities. You can launch your boat or canoe at Rest Point, Coalmine Beach boat ramp, Walpole town jetty, Isle Road and Nornalup.
Lots of options to start exploring the inlets and rivers!
A major highlight of this connected inlet system is its remote wilderness feel. There’s an untouched beauty about the place that’s easy on the eye.
It’s great to picnic and chill along the shores of the marine park. Make use of the picnic tables and barbeques at Coalmine Beach, The Channels and Sandy Beach. There is a lookout at The Knolls and the Bibbulmun Track runs alongside the edge of the marine park for a short distance.
While you’re here try your hand at fishing. There are loads of good spots to cast your line. Know the latest size, season and bag limits (www.fish.wa.gov.au) and obtain any licences that may be needed.
Review – Peaceful
Very, very beautiful area. Very peaceful and easy on the eye. I could just sit all day and enjoy this space. H7342JAkathym – Trip Advisor
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about swimming, fishing, paddling and kayaking. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
Gallery
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson7.jpg?itok=vqUnF-Wy)
![Nornalup Inlet viewed from Delaney Lookout near Coalmine Beach Nornalup Inlet viewed from Delaney Lookout near Coalmine Beach](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells.jpg?itok=1GOenUZX)
![Nornalup Inlet on a sunny day viewed from near Delaney Lookout Nornalup Inlet on a sunny day viewed from near Delaney Lookout](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-2.jpg?itok=22Z8puyV)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson4.jpg?itok=Jz8UrZ3e)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson6.jpg?itok=9lPA2aJp)
![Jumping for Nornalup Jetty Two people jumping off a jetty into water.](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2024-02/nornalup-jetty-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-australias-southwest-jonathan-tan-thetantrap.jpg?itok=rpG8nglb)
![Nornalup Inlet viewed from near Delaney Lookout Nornalup Inlet viewed from near Delaney Lookout](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-3.jpg?itok=CQtzvC6i)
![Nornalup Inlet at Sandy Beach Nornalup Inlet at Sandy Beach with small waves breaking on the shore on an overcast day](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/sandy-beach-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-4.jpg?itok=IXzxarA9)
![A pelican on the water in the channel that connects the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets A pelican on the water in the channel between Walpole Inlet and Nornalup Inlet with the forest of The Knoll in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/rest-point-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells.jpg?itok=Xu8wQqK6)
![The channel connecting the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets The channel connecting the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets with a sandy beach, forests, and a house boat anchored offshore.](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-4.jpg?itok=s5ryS8KI)
![Forests on the shores of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park Forests on the shores of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-5.jpg?itok=VTq_2PX5)
![One of the two forested headlands known as The Knolls One of two forested headlands known as The Knolls, viewed from a boat on the Nornalup Inlet](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-6.jpg?itok=Zygr4H1f)
![Clear turquoise water near the sandbar where the Nornalup Inlet meets the ocean Clear turquoise water near the sandbar where the Nornalup Inlet meets the ocean](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-7.jpg?itok=TbUHzbzR)
![Skippy Rock Channel Rocky limestone headland in Skippy Rock Channel, Nornalup Inlet](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bronwyn-wells-8.jpg?itok=1pz7p3N-)
![Kayaking at Rest Point Aerial view of two kayakers on water.](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2024-02/rest-point-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-australias-southwest-jonathan-tan-thetantrap-2.jpg?itok=MWrdP4bW)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson1.jpg?itok=ZqusiSL6)
![Kayaking at Rest Point Aerial view of two people kayaking in water near a forest of trees.](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2024-02/rest-point-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-australias-southwest-jonathan-tan-thetantrap-1.jpg?itok=RfCJVQwo)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson3.jpg?itok=jTa2yePz)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson8.jpg?itok=PRAlJeqN)
![Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2022-02/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-bron-anderson5.jpg?itok=NPgIvRu9)
![Floating around at the Nornalup Jetty Aerial view of a jetty and two people floating in water.](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2024-02/nornalup-jetty-walpole-and-nornalup-inlets-marine-park-australias-southwest-jonathan-tan-thetantrap-1.jpg?itok=sdoLiYCl)
Activities
Canoeing and kayaking
Fishing
Swimming
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park.