Description
John Forrest National Park is Western Australia's first national park, named after Sir John Forrest, the first Premier of Western Australia.
It is located in the Darling Scarp, 24 km (15 mi) east of Perth, Western Australia.
The park has a rich history, being reserved as a conservation and recreation area in 1898 and initially named Greenmount National Park in 1900. It was later renamed John Forrest National Park in 1947. The park was bisected by a railway line that operated from the 1890s until 1966. During the Great Depression, various features were built within the park as part of relief employment. After the railway line was removed, the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, now known as the John Forrest Heritage Trail, was created.
Currently, the park faces challenges such as the decline of smaller marsupial populations due to foxes, feral cats, and dogs. Drought and dieback have also affected the jarrah forest within the park, while introduced weed species threaten its integrity. Despite these threats, the park continues to showcase beautiful wildflowers. The park has experienced bushfires in the past, including a significant one in 2010 that damaged part of the Eagle's View trail. Due to staffing rationalization, management of the park has been reduced to minimal levels.
The John Forrest Wildflower Tavern and Restaurant, which opened in 1978, was a popular venue for events and a tourist attraction due to its native bird and kangaroo visitors.
John Forrest National Park offers several walking trails that cater to different abilities and fitness levels. All walks start at the main
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Parks: Camp Sites, Hiking Trails, Picnic Area, Toilets, National parks