Hester

Hester National Park is a protected area in WA's Southwest, preserving native forest vegetation in the transitional zone between jarrah forest and coastal heath. The park contributes to the conservation of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region by protecting representative examples of the diverse plant communities that characterise this globally significant biodiversity hotspot. Located in the Harvey-Collie area, the park provides wildlife habitat in an increasingly developed agricultural and industrial landscape. The forest and heath ecosystems support native fauna including threatened bird species and small mammals.

The park supports forest-adapted fauna. Baudin's black cockatoos and Carnaby's black cockatoos forage in the mixed forest and heath. Western grey kangaroos and brushtail possums are common. Short-beaked echidnas and bobtail skinks are regularly encountered. Forest-dependent birds including western rosellas and red-capped parrots inhabit the woodland. The park contributes to regional wildlife connectivity.

Jarrah-marri forest on lateritic soils grades into coastal heath on lighter sandy soils. Banksias are significant in the heath component, with diverse kwongan understorey species. Spring wildflowers from August through November are attractive. The park protects a transitional vegetation community that is poorly represented in the broader reserve network.

Sits on the Darling Plateau/coastal plain transition zone, with Archaean basement overlain by Quaternary sediments in lower areas. The geological transition is reflected in the vegetation change from laterite-supported forest to sand-supported heath.

Mediterranean climate with 700–800 mm annual rainfall. Winters cool and wet; summers warm. Spring is optimal for wildflowers.

Within Noongar country. European agricultural and industrial development in the Harvey-Collie area has significantly altered the surrounding landscape.

Hester National Park was established to protect transitional forest and heath vegetation in the Harvey area. Management addresses weed invasion and Phytophthora dieback.

Forest and heath walking, spring wildflowers, birdwatching. Accessible from Harvey.

Access from Harvey area. Limited visitor facilities. Nearest services in Harvey township.

Phytophthora dieback, weed management, and maintaining the forest-heath mosaic are primary challenges.