 Visit Mount Barker WA
Mount Barker, 45 minutes' drive northwest of Albany was once known for its apples. Today it is involved in sheep and cattle farming and is famous for its wildflowers and wineries.
Mount Barker is situated in the centre of the Great Southern Wine Region. The Great Southern has become a major wine producing area, since the first vine was planted back in 1967. All major grape varieties are grown and Mount Barker is a great base to tour the wine cellars, which are open to the public for tastings.
Mount Barker is an ideal holiday centre with ample shopping and recreation facilities within easy reach of the spectacular southern coastline, Albany, Denmark, and the Stirling Ranges and Porongurup Ranges.
There is plentiful accommodation including hotels, motels, self contained cottages, bed and breakfast, a caravan park and backpacker facilities.
 Porongurup National Park
The Porongurup National Park has panoramic views from mountain ranges and is renowned for it's beauty. It is also noted for its rock climbing activities. The granite domes of the park rise over the plain 40 kilometres north of Albany. It is clothed in a luxuriant forest of giant Karri trees, and the forest understorey puts on a brilliant display of wildflowers during spring and early summer.
The granite from which the Porongurup Range was formed more than 1100 million years ago, has been exposed by the slow weathering of the softer rocks surrounding the range.
Animals such as the Western Grey Kangaroo, Brush Wallabies, possums and native rodents can be found. However it is the birds that will be most evident to visitors and those keen on bird watching should have a rewarding experience.
There are barbeque facilities, toilets and picnic tables available in the park.
Rock Climbing is permitted only after permission is given by the ranger.
The best times to visit are late Spring to early Summer (October to December), when days are beginning to warm up and wildflowers are blooming. Winter (between June and August) is cold and wet and visitors should come prepared. Even in spring the weather can be unpredictable, particularly higher in the ranges. Sudden cold changes can cause the temperature to drop and rain or hail to set in. The ranges can be covered in cloud and dense mists and could make walking hazardous. On wet days rocks become slippery. Fire bans may be imposed during summer months.
The roads are sealed within the park and the scenic drive is gravel. There are no four wheel drive tracks. Easy walking tracks lead to most of the peaks where you may behold breathtaking views.
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WA's National Parks & Reserves can be closed at times because of bushfire danger, Cyclone or flooding and other natural emergencies. Phone 1300 657 721 for emergency alerts or visit the FESA for more information. Find out about the National Parks and forests of WA by visititing CALM. Remember, play it safe and tell others where you go and when you will be back.
All images © WA Tourism.
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Disclaimer: The information contained about this region is provided as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Break Loose Publishing disclaim any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For our complete Disclaimer please follow the link at the foot of the page.
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