Northcliffe: Forest Trails, Art and History

Northcliffe brings together forest trails, site-specific art and insights into regional history. On the edge of town lies the 246 ha Northcliffe Forest Park; trails also run through the town. When deciding where to go, it comes down to which focus appeals to you most: a particular trail, cycling, art or historical collections.

Forest Trails and Routes to Suit You

Northcliffe Forest Park has lovely forest trails. Its four named trails offer different distances: the Karri Loop Trail is 400 m long, the Bardi Creek Trail 700 m, the Gardner River Adventure Trail 1.2 km and the Marri Meander Trail 3.5 km. You can use the stated distances to guide your choice. At 400 m, the Karri Loop Trail is the shortest, while the 3.5 km Marri Meander Trail is the longest.

The 700 m Bardi Creek Trail is part of the Bibbulmun Track, which passes directly through Northcliffe. The town also has a clear connection for cycling travellers: the Munda Biddi Trail runs through Northcliffe. These routes offer different ways to plan your destination, without limiting Northcliffe to just one way of getting around.

Art and History in Northcliffe

Understory is a nationally unique, site-specific art trail in Northcliffe. The Northcliffe Pioneer Museum offers a different cultural focus. It may have the most comprehensive presentation of the history of Group Settlement in Western Australia. Its exhibitions also cover the local timber industry, tobacco growing and banking. The museum therefore brings together several aspects of Northcliffe’s history rather than focusing on just one topic.

The museum’s collection includes the George Gardner Rock and Fossil Collection, with around 1,200 objects. The collection is particularly relevant to anyone interested in rocks and fossils. Together with the exhibitions on Group Settlement and local industries, it offers several ways to explore the town’s history.

The Painted Tree Gallery is a purpose-built exhibition and community space in the Northcliffe Information and Visitor Centre. Nature lovers may also recognise the name Hollow Butt: it refers to a large, living karri tree. Northcliffe’s attractions range from forest trails and tracks to art, museum collections and a distinctive tree. When choosing a holiday rental for your stay, you can consider whether you’d rather focus on the trails or the cultural attractions.

Discover More Places

Other places include Beermullah, Treeton, North Beach, Frankland River, Kinross, Marangaroo, Nedlands and Broomehill Village.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.