Porongurup: National Park, Hiking Trails and Views

Nature in Porongurup National Park

Porongurup National Park covers 2,621 hectares and is home to more than 700 native plant species. It is also part of an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot in southwest Western Australia. Nature and outdoor activities are therefore at the heart of a stay in Porongurup: trails pass through forest, lead to a creek or reach lookout points, each with a different focus. When planning your trip, it is also worth considering the specific destination of a trail: forest, water or a view may determine which route you choose.

Circular trails with different destinations

The Castle Rock Trail is a 4.7-kilometre circular trail through jarrah, marri and karri forests to the lower Castle Rock lookout. The Walitj Meil Walk is shorter: this easy to moderate circular trail is one kilometre long, starts at the Castle Rock picnic area and leads to a lookout with views of the Stirling Ranges. A short, easy 600-metre circular trail passes beneath tall karri trees to Bolganup Creek and back to the Tree-in-the-Rock picnic area.

The trails can be compared by distance, difficulty and destination: the 600-metre circular trail is easy and goes to the creek and back; Walitj is one kilometre long, easy to moderate and offers views of the Stirling Ranges; the Castle Rock Trail is the 4.7-kilometre loop through three types of forest to the lower lookout. This lets you choose between a creek, far-reaching views and a forest route.

More trails and landscape perspectives

The Granite Skywalk is a cantilevered walkway on the large granite outcrop at Castle Rock. The Castle Rock Trail leads to the lower lookout; the walkway and the lookout are distinct features of Castle Rock.

Unlike the shorter circular trails, the O’Neill Trail is an 18-kilometre return route and a multi-use trail. It connects Mount Barker and Porongurup, officially opened in September 2023, and runs from the end of O’Neill Road to Woodlands Road in Porongurup. The trail is intended for walkers, cyclists including e-bike riders, and horse riders.

A 23-kilometre scenic drive offers views of the entire Porongurup Range. This distinguishes it from the circular trails to a specific lookout or to Bolganup Creek: on the drive, the view extends across the whole Range. It therefore offers a different perspective on the landscape from a single destination on foot.

Outdoor art: Art in the Porongurup 2026

Art in the Porongurup ran from 3 to 11 April 2026 as a nine-day outdoor sculpture exhibition in the natural bushland around Porongurup Hall. The event marked the 24th year of the exhibition. Visitors could walk among the artworks, vote for the People’s Choice Award and buy selected works.

Discover more destinations: Treeton, Spalding, Middle Island, Mullaloo, Benger, Denham, Yanchep, Walpole.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.