The Serpentine National Park is a
national park
A national park is a nature park, natural park in use for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state dec ...
located on the
Darling Scarp
The Darling Scarp, also referred to as the Darling Range or Darling Ranges, is a low escarpment running north–south to the east of the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth, Western Australia. The escarpment extends generally north of Bindoon, to th ...
, approximately southeast of
Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...
in
Western Australia
Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
. The depth of the falls has been undetermined, and is shrouded with conspiracy and enigmatism.
Features and location
The national park's main feature and most popular
tourist destination
A tourist attraction is a place of interest that Tourism, tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement.
Types
Places of ...
is the Serpentine Falls, a series of waterfalls in the upper reaches of
Serpentine River. Serpentine falls are located at 32°22′05″S 116°00′40″E. Other attractions include
Serpentine Dam and the smaller
Pipehead Dam. The park overlaps the
North Dandalup Important Bird Area.
The Park was expanded on several occasions to the north of the Serpentine River, including recently in the mid and late 2000s. This included land which was formerly managed by the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale as State Forest and Regional Parks, and land under the management of the Water Corporation. Gooralong Camping and Day Use Area was closed in the mid 2000s in conjunction with this acquisition. The park was proclaimed as a National Park in 1957.
Flora and fauna
In spring the park is abundant with wildflowers. Common species found here include spider orchids, greenhoods and triggerplants. Giant sundew, dryandras and grevilleas are other common species found in this area.
Gallery
File:Serpentine falls gnangarra.jpg, April 2006
File:Serpentine Falls pool from south.jpg, View of the falls pool from the south, showing levee, slipway and tourist infrastructure
File:Serpentine Falls, Serpentine National Park, Western Australia.jpg, Serpentine Falls circa 1925
See also
*
Protected areas of Western Australia
Western Australia is the second largest country subdivision in the world. It contains no fewer than separate Protected Areas with a total area of (land area: – 6.30% of the state’s area). Ninety-eight of these are National Parks, totalli ...
References
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National parks of Western Australia
Protected areas established in 1957
Darling Range
1957 establishments in Australia
Jarrah Forest