Forest Grove

Forest Grove National Park is a 1,633-hectare protected area in the karri forest belt of the Warren bioregion, situated north of Augusta near the Scott River. The park protects a representative section of karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) forest interspersed with marri and jarrah on the southern Darling Plateau. The name references the original Pemberton-area forest industry. Forest Grove protects some of the tallest and most impressive karri stands in the region. The park is managed by DBCA.

Forest Grove supports the complete karri forest fauna community. The critically endangered western ringtail possum relies on karri, marri, and peppermint trees for food and shelter. Forest red-tailed black-cockatoos feed on karri and marri seed capsules. Carnaby's black-cockatoos move through the area seasonally. Short-beaked echidnas, western grey kangaroos, brush wallabies, and quendas are resident. Tiger snakes inhabit damp creek valleys. Powerful owls may hunt through the park at night.

Karri (E. diversicolor) forms tall closed forest reaching 60+ metres on deep moist soils. Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and jarrah (E. marginata) transition communities occur on drier ridge positions. The understorey includes karri oak (Allocasuarina decussata), native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana), karri hazel (Trymalium odoratissimum), and various ferns in damp gullies. Wetland areas support paperbarks and rushes. Spring orchids including donkey orchids (Diuris) and spider orchids (Caladenia) are diverse.

Forest Grove sits on the southern Darling Plateau, underlain by Archaean granite-gneiss with deep laterite weathering profiles. The karri forest depends on deep, moist clay-loam soils derived from weathered granite in valley positions and on south-facing slopes that retain moisture. Rocky outcrops and lateritic breakaways occur on ridges.

Warm temperate Mediterranean climate. Annual rainfall of 1,000–1,200 mm falls predominantly in the May–September period, sustaining the moisture-dependent karri forest. Winters are cool and frequently misty. Summer drought stress is ameliorated by the karri's deep root systems and the cool, humid forest microclimate.

The Forest Grove area forms part of Bibbulmun Noongar country. Noongar people have maintained traditional connections to the Warren forest region for thousands of years. European settlers entered the region from the 1850s, establishing timber operations. The Pemberton area timber industry — based primarily on karri — operated from the 1890s. Sawmills processed karri for railway sleepers, ship building, and heavy construction.

Forest Grove National Park was proclaimed to protect outstanding karri forest on the southern Darling Plateau. The park is adjacent to State Forest karri reserves and forms part of a contiguous conservation and production forest landscape. DBCA manages the park with prescribed burning to maintain forest structure and reduce wildfire risk.

Forest Grove offers bushwalking through towering karri forest. Spring wildflower walks are popular from August through November. Wildlife observation at dawn and dusk provides opportunities to see black-cockatoos and ringtail possums. The Scott River nearby provides fishing and kayaking opportunities.

Located north of Augusta near the Brockman Highway. Access via sealed and forest roads. Minimal visitor facilities. Day use. The townships of Pemberton, Manjimup, and Augusta provide accommodation, fuel, and supplies.

Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback threatens proteaceous understorey plants. Western ringtail possum requires old-growth hollow-bearing trees and adequate food tree density. Climate change is reducing summer rainfall across the southwest, creating drought stress in karri trees. Fox predation on ringtail possums is ongoing. Prescribed burning must balance fuel reduction with protection of mature hollow-bearing trees.