John Forrest National Park

John Forrest National Park is a national park in the Darling Scarp, 24 km (15 mi) east of Perth, Western Australia. Proclaimed as a national park in November 1900,[1] it was the first national park in Western Australia and the second in Australia after Royal National Park.

John Forrest National Park
Western Australia
IUCN category II (national park)
National Park western entrance
John Forrest National Park
Nearest town or cityPerth
Coordinates31°52′55″S 116°04′26″E
Established1957
Area26.78 km2 (10.3 sq mi)
Managing authoritiesDepartment of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia)
WebsiteJohn Forrest National Park
Footnotes
Designated17 December 2004
Reference no.8561
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia

Name

As early as 1898, the land was reserved for conservation and recreation. Two years later, it was named Greenmount National Park.[2] It was still being identified as National Park in the late 1930s,[3][4] and it was not until 1947 that the name change occurred to commemorate Sir John Forrest, the first Premier of Western Australia.[5][6]

Location

The park is on the edge of the Darling Scarp east of Perth, north of the Great Eastern Highway. To the west is the suburb of Swan View, with Pechey Road as a natural western boundary. To the south of the Great Eastern Highway the suburbs adjacent are Darlington and Glen Forrest. To the east is Hovea.

History

It was bisected by the Eastern Railway when it was constructed in the 1890s and rail traffic passed through until 1966, when the line was closed due to the opening of the Avon Valley route.[7][8]

The Swan View Tunnel is located within the park

The alignment through the Swan View Tunnel and through the park was commonly known as the "National Park" railway line.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s many features near the main park buildings were built as part of relief employment. Some have been restored.

It was a popular railway excursion location while the railway was in existence (1890s to 1960s).[9] Initially Hovea was the nearest railway station but in 1936 the National Park railway station was built. Also often photographed were National Park Falls, and the Hovea Falls.

After the railway line was closed and removed the formation became part of the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail vested in the Mundaring Shire Council. The section within the park is now known as the John Forrest Heritage Trail.

Current conditions
Kangaroos at John Forrest National Park

While larger kangaroos remain, significant populations of smaller marsupials have been devastated by foxes, feral cats and dogs in this park.

Drought and dieback have affected the jarrah forest within the park. At the edges of the park, introduced species of weed and problematic vegetation threaten the integrity of the park. In some areas wildflowers remain a feature to the edge of the internal roads despite the changes.[10]

Also with rationalising of staff within the Department of Environment and Conservation management, earlier levels of staffing on parks such as this one have been reduced to minimal levels.

Significant damaging bushfires occurred in the western and northern sections of the park in the 1990s and early 2000s. In November 2010 a bushfire, believed to have been deliberately lit, damaged a significant area of the park including part of the Eagle's View trail.

At various stages parts of the park have been accessed by mountain bike activity.[11]

John Forrest Tavern

John Forrest Wildflower Tavern and Restaurant was opened in 1978. It is centrally located within the park just uphill from the ranger's office. It has become a landmark for events such as car club rallies and orienteering clubs. The outside court yard has become a popular tourist attraction as native birds and kangaroos, seeking food, approach close to the building.[12]

Walking trails

John Forrest National Park has several walk trail options that cater for different abilities and fitness level.[13] All walks start at the main picnic area. Walks include:

  • Christmas Tree Creek Walk (10.5 km or 6.5 mi)
  • Eagle View Walk Trail (16 km or 9.9 mi)
  • Glen Brook Walk (2.2 km or 1.4 mi)
  • Jane Brook Promenade (300 m or 980 ft loop)
  • John Forrest Bridle Trail (15 km or 9.3 mi)
  • National Parks Falls Walk (2.5 km or 1.6 mi)
  • Wildflower Walk (4.5 km or 2.8 mi)

See also

Notes
  1. "John Forrest National Park". Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  2. "Greenmount National Park". Swan Express. XXVI (78). Western Australia. 6 August 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 3 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. State Gardens Board of Western Australia (1939), Beautiful National Park : Darling Range, Western Australia, The Board, retrieved 3 November 2016
  4. "BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARK". Sunday Times (Perth) (2027). Western Australia. 29 November 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 3 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Nevill, Simon (2001). Travellers guide to the Parks and Reserves of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. ISBN 0-9585367-1-6.
  6. "NATIONAL PARK RENAMED". The West Australian. 63 (19, 076). Western Australia. 4 September 1947. p. 15 (SECOND EDITION.). Retrieved 3 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. Watson, Lindsay (Lindsay Graham); Swan (W.A.). Council; Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association; L. & S. Drafting (1995), The railway history of Midland Junction : commemorating the centenary of Midland Junction, 1895-1995, L & S Drafting in association with the Shire of Swan and the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association, ISBN 978-0-646-24461-7
  8. Elliot, Ian; Elliot, Ian (1983), Mundaring : a history of the shire, Shire of Mundaring, ISBN 978-0-9592776-0-9 - has a specific chapter relating to the railway in the hills
  9. "EXCURSION TO NATIONAL PARK". The West Australian. 55 (16, 605). Western Australia. 21 September 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 3 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Armstrong, P; Muir, B (April 1988), "Visual perception of conservation value: the distribution of flora in John Forrest National Park. -Western Australia-", Journal of Environmental Management, 26 (3): 221–228, retrieved 3 November 2016
  11. Davies, C; Newsome, D (2009), Mountain bike activity in natural areas: impacts, assessment and implications for management: a case study from John Forrest National Park, Western Australia, CRC for Sustainable Tourism, retrieved 3 November 2016
  12. Elliot, Ian (1983). Mundaring: A History of the Shire. Fremantle: Wescolour Press. p. 242. ISBN 0-9592776-0-9.
  13. "Perth's favourite outing - John Forrest National Park". West Australian Explorer. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
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