Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 168m
Min elevation: 166m
Total Ascent: 3m
Hike overview
Mount Maxwell offers a leisurely 200-metre (Grade 2) hike within Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia. This short walk, taking approximately 30 minutes to complete, is ideal for wildflower enthusiasts and anyone seeking panoramic views.
A well-maintained trail leads from the car park through coastal heath to a lookout platform perched 184 metres above sea level. From this vantage point, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views stretching westward across the park, encompassing the rugged peaks of the Barrens Range in the south.
Mount Maxwell is named after George Maxwell (1804-1880), a naturalist and professional collector of plants and insects. Maxwell's contributions to Australian botany include the discovery of the nodding banksia (Banksia nutans), and his collections are now housed in the Australian Herbarium.
The surrounding vegetation offers a glimpse of the park's diverse flora. Look out for the Royal hakea, a prominent species here, alongside a variety of banksias.
To protect the park's ecology, please remember to thoroughly clean your footwear and equipment before and after your walk to prevent the spread of dieback disease (Phytophthora cinnamomi).
Track grade
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 168 m
Min elevation: 166 m
Total climbing: 3 m
Total descent: -3 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Fitzgerald River National Park.
Accessible by car, the Mount Maxwell trailhead lies within West Fitzgerald National Park, roughly 500 kilometres (a 6-hour drive) south of Perth. From Perth, head south on Forrest Highway (State Route 1) towards Albany. Continue through Albany and follow the South Coast Highway (National Route 1) east until you reach the turnoff for Hopetoun and Hamersley Drive. Take Hamersley Drive east until you see Devil’s Creek Road on your left. Turn onto Devil’s Creek Road and follow it for a short distance until you see Mount Maxwell Road branching off to the right. The car park and trailhead for Mount Maxwell will be located at the end of Mount Maxwell Road.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Borden, Bremer Bay, Hopetoun, Jerramungup, Lake Grace, Lake King, Munglinup, Ongerup, Ravensthorpe, Salmon Gums
About the region
Fitzgerald River National Park, in Western Australia, is a place of raw beauty, recognised for its rich Indigenous heritage and designated as traditional land for the Goreng, Menang and Wudjari people.
This vast park, encompassing 330,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness, is a haven for flora and fauna. Renowned for its diverse plant life, Fitzgerald River National Park boasts an incredible 20% of Western Australia’s documented plant species, including 75 unique wildflowers found nowhere else on Earth.
Bushwalking trails weave through rugged landscapes, offering opportunities to discover this extraordinary botanical wonderland. Keen birdwatchers will be thrilled by the park’s over 200 bird species, including rarities like the ground parrot, western whipbird, and western bristlebird.
A tranquil escape, Fitzgerald River National Park caters to a range of interests. Whether you seek relaxation on pristine beaches, adventure in beautiful bays and inlets with activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, surfing, or fishing, or a chance to witness the majesty of migrating whales during winter, this park offers something for everyone.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Fitzgerald River National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.





