Boranup lies within the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park between Caves Road and the coast, and creates a powerful contrast with the rest of the coastline. Tall pale-barked karri trees, reaching 60 metres or more high, dominate the hilly slopes and valleys.
Gravel roads suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles wind through the forest to picnic and camping spots. It's just a short walk to Boranup Lookout which gives sweeping views over the forest and the coast west along Boranup Beach to the strikingly beautiful Hamelin Bay.
The former timber yard at Hamelin Bay is now an attractive camping area, shaded by spreading coastal peppermints. In 1961, fierce wildfires seared through the Boranup forest, and destroyed the last trace of the old timber town which once housed more than 800 people. Today's Boranup forest is testimony to the regenerative powers of karri.
Where is it?
Boranup is situated in the south-west corner of Western Australia. It may be accessed from either Margaret River or Augusta. First, drive to the town of Boranup via Caves Road. At Boranup, proceed west along Anchor Road, then left into Davies Road which becomes Boranup Beach Road.
Things To See And Do
Boranup Beach
One of the longer more continuous beaches in the national park. It commences at Hamelin Bay in lee of White Cliff Point and its numerous reefs, as a low energy reflective beach, and trends north for 7.8 km to the southern rocks of North Point.
This stretch of coastline is known for its excellent surf breaks, so it is a great place to stop and catch a wave or two, but is sufficiently isolated that you can often have the beach to yourself. But Boranup is an extraordinary place for several reasons other than its sheer beauty. This is the furthest west that karri, the third tallest tree in the world, grows.
Boranup Forest
Isolated from the main body of the karri belt, more than 100km to the east. Elsewhere in the South-West karri grows almost exclusively on deep red clay loams. At Boranup it grows in limestone-based soils.
The forest as we see it today is about 100 years old, as it is a regrowth forest. Though the last mill at Karridale closed in 1913, the development of the timber industry in this area was important to the State's economy and growth.
Surrounding Area
Hamelin Bay
Little more than a very picturesque camping ground these days, Hamelin Bay was once a small settlement and port in Western Australia on the coast of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was established to service the timber milling operations of M. C. Davies. One of the Davies timber railways extended onto the Hamelin Bay Jetty, which was built in 1882 and extended in 1898. Only a few piles of the original jetty remain on site.
Although most of the adjacent land is now vested in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, small amounts of land nearby are freehold. In the 1950s the local camping area utilised the shells of a large number of decommissioned Perth Trams. None remain, and in addition to unpowered and powered camp sites there are now a small number of onsite cabins and a handful of chalets with modern facilities. A number of camp sites have been removed to accommodate these structures. A shop, and ablutions are located within the Camping Area.
Features
Boranup Forest Retreat is surrounded by forest, on a total of 50 acres, yet close to Margaret River, beaches, caves and wineries ( All about 15-20 mins away). The area of Boranup is renowned for its huge waves with the best surf in the south-west so you can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Guests love the tranquility of this beautiful bush property, surrounded by forest, with kangaroos and emus passing through and even, its own large, resident goanna, if you are lucky enough to spot him! More >>
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