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This largely coastal park covers an area of 12,888 Ha.
The park contains 10 lakes including Lake Yalgorup, Duck Pond, Boundary Lake, Lake Preston and Lake Clifton. It is located between
Mandurah and Bunbury on the coast.
Alexander Collie and Lt. William Preston were the first Europeans to travel through the area in 1829.
The wetlands in the park are an important eco-system for many water birds both local and migratory. In total 134 species of bird are known to inhabit the park.
The name of the park is derived from two aboriginal words, 'yalgor' meaning lake or wetland and 'up' meaning meeting place. It was established as a National Park in the 1970s.
A campsite is available in the park at Matrin's Tank. It caters mostly for tent based campers but there are also caravan and camper trailer sites.
One of the most signifficant features of the park are the thrombolites at Lake Clifton. They are similar to the Stromatolites found
further north at Hamelin Pool. Stromatolites are only found in salt water whereas thrombolites are only found in fresh water. Externally they appear similar but
their internal structures are very different.
In 1921 the WA Cement Company built lime kilns on the eastern side of Lake Clifton and a nearby settlement included a baker, school, shop, post office and various dwellings. The lime kilns
proved to be uneconomic and closed after just a few years.
In the early 1970s the areas was declared a national park that is now known to support 134 species of bird. Chuditch, southern brown bandicoot and ringtail possums also inhabit the area.
A number of orchid species can be found in this swampy area during late winter and early spring.
There are three walking trails in the park. A 2.5 kilometre trail leads around Lake Clifton and there are also the Heatlands walk, a 4.5 kilometre trail near Lake Preston and finally
the 6 kilometre Lake Pollard walk trail that ends at Martin's Tank Campsite.
The area is home to a number of bird species and there is a bird hide at Lake Pollard where you can sit and observe species such as the hooded plover, red necked stints,
black swans, black winged stilts and red capped plovers.
Best time to visit:
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Jun
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