Skip to main content
Western Australian State Government Logo
Parks and Wildlife Service logo
Explore Parks logo
English Dutch French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Explore WA's parks

    All parks

    Park Finder Map

    Attractions and places to visit

    Trails

    Regions of WA

    • Australia's South West
    • Australia's Coral Coast
    • Australia's North West
    • Australia's Golden Outback
    • Destination Perth
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Know before you go

    Know before you go

    Get the practical ‘know how’ to adventure into Western Australia’s national parks confidently, responsibly and safely.

    Safety

    Natural area hazards

    Plan your activity

    Be prepared

    Travelling in remote locations

    Bushfires and prescribed burns

    Bushwalking safety

    Camping safety

    Mountain biking safety

    Swimming safety

    Adventure safety

    Beaches and coastal areas

    Rivers, lakes and lagoons

    Fishing, boating, paddling, snorkelling and diving

    Access friendly places

    Access to nature north of Perth

    Access to nature south of Perth

    Access to trails

    Caring for our parks

    Marine conservation

    Fees

    Park entry fees

    Park passes

    Camping fees

    Attraction fees

    Other fees

    Concessions

    Fee waivers

    Camping

    Where and when to camp

    Campground facilities

    Campfires, firewood and cooking appliances

    Powered campsites and generators

    Group camping

    Online campsite booking terms and conditions

    Current campfire conditions

    Campgrounds availability for non-bookable campgrounds

    When to go

    Adventure activities

    Drones in parks

    Tours and accommodation

    Conducting an event in a park

    Pets in parks

    Getting around

    Park visitor guides, maps and itineraries

    Park visitor guides

    Aboriginal cultural heritage in parks

  • Get inspired
  • Where to stay
  • Park alerts

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Walpole-Nornalup National Park
  3. John Rate Lookout

John Rate Lookout

We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Views over pristine waterways, and great for a picnic on your travels.

No dogs

No park entry fee

John Rate Lookout
Bron Anderson

About this place

John Rate Lookout was named in honour of District Forester John Rate who in the early 1950’s discovered a third species of tingle tree, now known as the Rate’s tingle (E.brevistylis). He was killed in the forest by a falling karri limb.

This site provides a welcome break from travelling, whether on a long drive on South West Highway or a long walk on the Bibbulmun Track, and is an ideal spot to have a cuppa or a picnic break.

A short walk takes you to a timber boardwalk and platform lookout which provides a superb view over the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park and the Southern Ocean. A ‘must’ stop for breath taking photo opportunities.

Back to Walpole-Nornalup National Park

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!

Gallery

Image
picnic table on the boardwalk and lookout with views between the trees of the inlet in the distance
John Rate Lookout
DBCA

Image
Views through the tingle forest from John Rate Lookout
John Rate Lookout
Bronwyn Wells

Image
two people leaning on the rails of the lookout which overlooks the inlet and surrounding forest
John Rate Lookout
Bron Anderson

Image
John Rate Lookout
John Rate Lookout
Bronwyn Wells

John Rate Lookout

Image
Picnic bench at John Rate Lookout
John Rate Lookout
Bronwyn Wells

Picnic with a view at John Rate Lookout

Image
John Rate Lookout viewed from the Bibbulmun Track
John Rate Lookout
Bronwyn Wells

The Bibbulmun Track passes by directly below the John Rate Lookout deck.

Facilities

Toilet

Lookout/Deck

Activities

Bushwalking

Picnicking

Plants, wildlife and fungi

Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded within a 5km radius of John Rate Lookout.

Traditional Owners

We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Need to know

No dogs

No pets allowed

No park entry fee

Entry to Walpole-Nornalup National Park is free.

Site access

A wide timber deck leads from the car park to the lookout and picnic bench. It is accessible without needing to negotiate steps.

Parking

The parking area has a compacted gravel surface.

Toilets

Toilets are available.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Unisex

Accessibility

More accessibility information for John Rate Lookout

Park office / Contact

Walpole Parks and Wildlife Office

Phone: (08) 9840 0400 

Contact this office by email

Location

Australia's South West
Walpole

Getting there

Located 5km west of Walpole by road on the South West Highway. Large, easy to read directional signage is provided from the Highway.

Alternatively you can get there by walking the Bibbulmun Track 6.5km from Walpole townsite (or 3km from Tinglewood Drive/Mount Clare).

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

Connect with us

Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions logo
Parks and Wildlife Service logo
Explore Parks logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Explore WA's parks

    All parks

    Park Finder Map

    Attractions and places to visit

    Trails

    Regions of WA

    • Australia's South West
    • Australia's Coral Coast
    • Australia's North West
    • Australia's Golden Outback
    • Destination Perth
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Know before you go

    Know before you go

    Get the practical ‘know how’ to adventure into Western Australia’s national parks confidently, responsibly and safely.

    Safety

    Natural area hazards

    Plan your activity

    Be prepared

    Travelling in remote locations

    Bushfires and prescribed burns

    Bushwalking safety

    Camping safety

    Mountain biking safety

    Swimming safety

    Adventure safety

    Beaches and coastal areas

    Rivers, lakes and lagoons

    Fishing, boating, paddling, snorkelling and diving

    Access friendly places

    Access to nature north of Perth

    Access to nature south of Perth

    Access to trails

    Caring for our parks

    Marine conservation

    Fees

    Park entry fees

    Park passes

    Camping fees

    Attraction fees

    Other fees

    Concessions

    Fee waivers

    Camping

    Where and when to camp

    Campground facilities

    Campfires, firewood and cooking appliances

    Powered campsites and generators

    Group camping

    Online campsite booking terms and conditions

    Current campfire conditions

    Campgrounds availability for non-bookable campgrounds

    When to go

    Adventure activities

    Drones in parks

    Tours and accommodation

    Conducting an event in a park

    Pets in parks

    Getting around

    Park visitor guides, maps and itineraries

    Park visitor guides

    Aboriginal cultural heritage in parks

  • Get inspired
  • Where to stay
  • Park alerts

Footer

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Copyright
  • Parks and Wildlife Service
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2022 Government of Western Australia. All rights reserved.

Back to top