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Park size: 4,800ha
Phone 08 9290 6100
Access to the park is via Toodyay Road, left into Morangup Road, and left onto Quarry Road.
This park is located 80km north east of Perth in the hills on the way to Toodyay. The park straddles the
Avon River and the turn off (Morangup Road) to the park is 42 kilometres east of Midland via the Toodyay Road. The park is noted for the large variety
of wildflowers in spring including a large number of native orchid species.
The Aboriginal name for the river is Golguler which is said to mean 'happy water flowing over rocks.'
This park and nearby Walyunga NP were gazetted in 1970. A 14 kilometre natural corridor was established between the parks
allowing animals to move safely between them.
Feral predators caused a sharp decline in many native species and it was necessary to establish protected reserves within the park where native species could be re-introduced
safe from predation by foxes.
Breeding of some native species, especially woylies, has been so successful that they are now used to re-stock other areas. More than 300 woylies had been re-located
from Karakamia sanctuary and Kamyana wildlife rehabilitation centre to the Avon Valley National park by 2004. Quenda are another native species that have been released
in the park in large numbers.
Fox baiting in some areas of the state had been so successful that native species were starting to become local pests. In areas of the wheatbelt, rock wallabies had
done so well that they were moving out of their usual rocky outcrops and taking up residence in farm sheds. National Parks provide some solution to these problems as
small isolated high populations can, in part, be reduced by re-location.
Other native species like the chuditch (a marsupial predator also known as western quoll) has re-appeared in the park and seems to be increasing in numbers.
There are four campsites located in the park. Homestead is rather small and would be difficult for caravans to fit in despite what we have read elsewhere.
Cec Barrow campsite is for group booking, which is a real shame as this site would make the park much more attractive to campers if it was available to everyone.
Bald Hill is suitable for camper-trailers and perhaps small caravans but area is limited and sites are all sloping.
Attractions of the park are mostly based around the natural environment with wildflower season (late winter through spring) being one of the most popular times to visit.
The bushranger Moondyne Joe settled in this area for a while near
Moondyne Spring. Joe got his nick-name from this spring. Although labeled a bushranger, Joe was apparently a peaceful (if not entirely honest) individual. He seems to have
wanted nothing more than to live out his life in the bush away from other people. Some say the ghost of Moondyne Joe still haunts the hills.
Best time to visit:
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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NPW Website for more information
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