D'Entrecasteaux National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids D'Entrecasteaux National Park Western Australia
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Near Long Point, D'Entrecasteaux National Park
D'Entrecasteaux National Park Location in Western Australia
Nearest town or city	Manjimup
Established	1980
Area	1,187.79 km2 (458.6 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department of Environment and Conservation
Website	D'Entrecasteaux National Park
See also	List of protected areas of Western Australia

D'Entrecasteaux National Park is a huge natural park in Western Australia. It's about 315 kilometers (196 miles) south of Perth, the capital city. This park is named after a French admiral, Bruni D'Entrecasteaux. He was the first European to see this area and name a spot called Point D'Entrecasteaux way back in 1792. Lots of people visit this park every year to enjoy its amazing nature.

Exploring D'Entrecasteaux National Park

This national park is very long, stretching about 130 kilometers (81 miles). It goes from Black Point in the west all the way to Long Point in the east. The park also reaches inland for about 20 kilometers (12 miles).

Cool Rock Formations at Black Point

At the western end of the park, you'll find Black Point. This spot is famous for its cool basalt columns. These columns were formed from lava that flowed here about 135 million years ago. Imagine ancient lava creating these amazing rock shapes!

The Moving Sands of Yeagarup Dune

One of the most interesting things in the park is Yeagarup Dune. This is a giant sand dune that is always moving! It's about 10 kilometers (6 miles) long and can be found west of Lake Jasper. It's pretty incredible to see how the wind shapes this massive dune over time.

Diverse Landscapes and Rivers

D'Entrecasteaux National Park has many different kinds of scenery. You can find beautiful beaches, huge sand-dunes, and tall coastal cliffs. There are also areas of coastal heath and pockets of tall Karri forest. Several important rivers flow through the park. These include the Warren, the Donnelly, and the Shannon rivers. They all flow out into the ocean.

Wetlands and Lakes in the Park

The park is also home to important large wetlands, known as the Blackwater. You'll also find beautiful lakes here, like Lake Jasper and Lake Yeagarup. These wetlands and lakes are important habitats for many plants and animals.

Broke Inlet and Sandy Island

At the eastern end of the park, you'll find Broke Inlet. This is a special inlet because its surrounding area hasn't been changed much by people. You can see ancient rocks, called gneiss, sticking out of the shallow water, forming small islands.

Sandy Island, near Windy Harbour, is also part of the park. This island is super important for seabirds. Up to 300,000 pairs of flesh-footed shearwaters come here to nest! That's a huge number and a big part of their global population.

Things to Do in D'Entrecasteaux National Park

There is an entry fee to visit the park. This fee helps to maintain and protect this beautiful area.

Visitor Facilities

The park offers many facilities for visitors to enjoy. You can find barbecues for cooking, clean toilets, and picnic areas. There are also special tracks for 4WD vehicles. Some areas have disabled access, making them easier for everyone to enjoy.

Canoeing and Hiking Adventures

If you love water activities, you can go canoeing on the Deep River within the park. For hikers, the famous Bibbulmun Track passes right through the park. This long walking trail offers amazing views and a chance to explore the wilderness.

Outdoor Education Programs

An outdoor education group called Outward Bound also uses the park. They take school groups on exciting hiking trips. It's a great way for students to learn about nature and challenge themselves in the outdoors.

Images for kids

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  Vegetated Dune, D'Entrecasteaux National Park

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  Chatham Island from Long Point in D'Entrecasteaux National Park