Lane Poole Reserve

Lane Poole Reserve Conservation Park is a large conservation reserve in the jarrah forest country of the Darling Range, protecting the Murray River gorge and associated jarrah-marri forest south of Dwellingup. The reserve protects one of the most significant river gorge systems in the Perth Hills, with the Murray River cutting spectacular gorges through the Darling Plateau. The reserve supports extensive recreation as well as biodiversity conservation. It is managed by DBCA.

Lane Poole Reserve is a stronghold for jarrah forest fauna. The critically endangered western ringtail possum relies on marri trees in the reserve. Carnaby's black-cockatoo and forest red-tailed black-cockatoo are resident. Short-beaked echidnas, brush wallabies, western grey kangaroos, and quendas are common. Tiger snakes and dugites inhabit the river valley. The Murray River supports marron, freshwater crayfish native to the southwest. Powerful owls hunt through the forest at night.

Jarrah (E. marginata) and marri (C. calophylla) dominate, with sheoak (Allocasuarina fraseriana) and numerous proteaceous shrubs forming a diverse understorey. The Murray River supports riparian gallery with flooded gum (E. rudis) and paperbarks. The reserve's species include numerous Declared Rare Flora. Spring wildflowers include orchids (Diuris, Caladenia, Pterostylis), hoveas, and hibbertias.

The reserve sits on the Darling Plateau — deeply weathered Archaean granite-gneiss with laterite profiles. The Murray River has incised a spectacular gorge system through the plateau, exposing fresh granites and weathered profiles in cliff sections. The Darling Fault borders the reserve to the west.

Mediterranean climate. Annual rainfall 900–1,100 mm. The Murray River is a major stream with significant winter-spring flows. Summer heat can reach 40°C, but the forested valley maintains cooler microclimate. Fire risk is high in dry summer-autumn.

Lane Poole Reserve lies within Noongar boodja — specifically Binjareb Noongar country in the Dwellingup-Murray River area. The Murray River (Dandalup in Noongar) was a significant resource corridor. The area was opened for timber cutting in the late nineteenth century; Dwellingup developed as a timber town. Catastrophic wildfires in 1961 destroyed Dwellingup and much of the surrounding forest.

Lane Poole Reserve was named after Carey Lane Poole, Conservator of Forests who implemented the jarrah forest management system. The reserve encompasses a range of forest management categories and is partly used for timber production within the conservation framework. The Murray River section was progressively protected for conservation.

The Bibbulmun Track passes through the reserve. Canoeing and swimming in the Murray River gorge. Camping at multiple designated sites. Mountain biking on the Murray Valley Trail. Fishing for marron (seasonal licence required). Tree Top Walk is in the adjacent area.

Located south of Dwellingup, accessible via the South Western Highway. Multiple campgrounds with basic facilities (toilets, fire rings, water). DBCA fees apply for camping. The Dwellingup township provides accommodation and supplies.

Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback is the most serious ecological threat in the jarrah forest. Western ringtail possum requires old-growth trees with hollows. Invasive weeds, particularly bridal creeper and cape tulip, compete with native species. Feral pigs cause significant ground disturbance. Prescribed burning is conducted annually across the jarrah forest landscape.