Greater Preston

Greater Preston National Park is a protected area near Donnybrook in WA's Southwest, safeguarding native jarrah-marri forest and seasonal waterways in the transitional zone between the coastal plain and the southern forests. The park protects forest ecosystems and provides habitat connectivity between forest reserves in the south. Spring wildflower displays and forest wildlife make it an accessible nature destination for visitors to the Donnybrook–Collie region. The park contributes to the conservation of jarrah-marri forest, a globally significant ecosystem of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region.

The park supports forest-dependent fauna including baudin's black cockatoos, western rosellas, and red-capped parrots in the forest canopy. Western grey kangaroos and brushtail possums are common. The chuditch (western quoll) may occupy suitable habitats. Short-beaked echidnas forage through leaf litter. Forest birds including powerful owls and tawny frogmouths use old-growth trees for roosting. Reptiles include bobtail skinks and carpet pythons.

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest dominate the park, with wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) on drier ridges. The understorey features zamia palms, acacia shrubs, and a seasonal ground flora of orchids, native peas, and trigger plants. Seasonal waterways support paperbark and flooded gum riparian vegetation. Spring wildflowers from August to November are attractive for botanical visitors.

The park sits on the Yilgarn Craton, with Archaean basement rocks deeply weathered to form the lateritic soils of the jarrah forest. The landscape is gently undulating with granite outcrops and seasonal stream systems. The transitional position between coastal plain and Darling Range produces varied soil types that influence vegetation communities.

Annual rainfall of 700–800 mm, predominantly in winter. Summers warm and dry; winters cool and wet. Spring wildflowers are the prime visitor attraction. Fire risk peaks in summer.

Within Noongar country, the forest provided food, timber, and materials for Aboriginal people over thousands of years. European timber harvesting impacted the forest from the late 19th century. The Donnybrook area was settled for orcharding and agriculture.

Greater Preston was established to protect additional jarrah-marri forest in the Donnybrook area. Management focuses on threatened species conservation, weed management, and fire planning.

Forest walks through jarrah-marri country with spring wildflowers. Birdwatching for forest specialists. Accessible from Donnybrook.

Access via roads from Donnybrook. Limited facilities. Nearest services in Donnybrook township. Best visited August–November.

Phytophthora dieback management, weed control, and fire management are primary conservation challenges. The park contributes to the forest conservation network of the southwest.