About this place
The mouth of the estuary lies in the middle of Dunster Castle Bay. It is cut off from the sea by a high sandbar, which only breaks every few years, and then only for a few weeks. As a result, the salinity and water level of the estuary varies greatly with river flow and evaporation. Access to the estuary mouth via the 3.5km walk trail depends on water levels as the trail follows the western shoreline of the estuary.
At least 29 species of waterbirds have been observed at Stokes Inlet, including large numbers of Australian shelduck, grey teal, little black cormorants, black swans, hooded plovers and chestnut teal. Migratory species include the common sandpiper and red-capped plover. Australasian grebes, Australian pelicans, little pied cormorants, white-faced herons, great egrets and pied oystercatchers also live in the inlet.
You must bring enough drinking water for your needs as there is none available in the park. Please remove your rubbish as there are no bins in this park. No fires are allowed on this site.
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
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
Make the Esperance Promise
While travelling in and around Esperance, make a promise to embrace the elements of this land and ensure your visit is sustainable and respectful. Make the Esperance Promise.
Please note, campfires are not permitted at any of the campgrounds in national parks
Activities
Bushwalking
Fishing
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded within a 5km radius of Estuary Mouth.
Traditional Owners
Benwenerup is the Wudjari cultural name for the area and refers to the Songline that encompasses the Lort River and Stokes Inlet Region.