Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

The start of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, at Cape Leeuwin.

Leeuwin-Naturaliste is a national park in Western Australia (Australia), 267 km south of Perth. It is named after the two locations at either end of the park which have lighthouses, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste. It is located in the Augusta-Margaret River and Busselton council areas.

It has stands of karri and jarrah forest, as well as a network of caves - some of which are accessible by the public. It also has the cave known as Devil's Lair which has archaeological significance.

Leeuwin - Naturaliste Ridge

The national park was created from crown lands along the Leeuwin - Naturaliste ridge at a time after the main primary industries in the region had been dairying and forestry, and when increased land use conflict was arising from the spread of wineries, increased population on hobby farms and other agricultural activities.

Since then many competing land uses have created a complex land management scenario for state and local government authorities trying to mediate quite conflicting issues. The national park is located on the some of the most vulnerable land in the region.

Cape to Cape Track

In 2001, the Department of Environment and Conservation (DCE) opened the Cape to Cape Track, a 135 kilometre walking track along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge.

References

• Bastian, L. V. Minerals and their relationships in the Leeuwin block Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park Perth : Government Chemical Laboratories, [1977?]
• Cape to Cape Walk Track - Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin 29 km" Department of Conservation and Environment, Busselton. n.d. pamphlet
  • -- Shaping the Capes: Rocks and landforms of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge an explanation of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge.

• Orr, Kate. and Frewer, Paul (1988) Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park Management plan : summary of public submissions, November 1988 Como, W.A : Dept. of Conservation and Land Management,
• Western Australian Planning Commission. Statement of planning policy. No. 7, Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Policy. Perth, W.A. : Govt. Printer - in - Western Australian government gazette, Perth, Friday 18 September 1998, No. 189. Special. 5191-5215 p. .
• Western Australian Planning Commission. Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge planning review : issues, opportunities and directions : discussion paper for public comment / Western Australian Planning Commission, Shires of Augusta-Margaret River and Busselton. [Perth, W.A.] : The Commission, 1995.

Fact sheet

• Area: 190 km²
• Coordinates: 34°14′19″S 115°02′50″E
• Date of establishment: 1957
• Managing authorities: Department of Conservation and Land Management
• IUCN category: II

See also

• Protected areas of Western Australia