West Mount Barren Walk (1.7km)

West Mount Barren offers a challenging yet rewarding 1.7-kilometre return hike within Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia. This Grade 4 trail demands a reasonable level of fitness and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Known to the Noongar people as Queelup, meaning "place of the rock sheoak," this pale grey quartzite peak marks the western edge of the iconic Barrens Range. The effort of the hike is amply compensated by the panoramic views that unfold as you ascend the ridgeline or reach the summit. Gaze across the park and coastline, taking in Gordon Inlet, Trigelow Beach, Point Ann, and the distant silhouettes of Mid Mount Barren and Thumb Peak in the central Barrens. On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Stirling Range over 100 kilometres to the west.

Beyond the captivating views, West Mount Barren is a haven for botanical enthusiasts. The peak and surrounding plains boast a remarkable diversity of plant life, with 62 species found nowhere else in Fitzgerald River National Park and a further 48 species largely restricted to the park's boundaries. Look out for the vibrant Barrens regelia and the Barrens clawflower, which thrive only on the quartzite ridges and peaks of the Barrens Range. As you approach the trailhead, keep an eye out for the exquisite Quaalup bell and the park's most iconic wildflower, the Royal hakea.