Milyeannup

Milyeannup National Park is a 1,872-hectare protected area in the Southwest region of Western Australia, situated along the southern coast between Augusta and Hamelin Bay. The park protects coastal heath, dune systems, and peppermint-marri woodland on the southern margin of the Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste region. The park protects a section of the highly scenic southwest coast, which receives some of the strongest swell in Australia. The park is managed by DBCA.

The park supports wildlife typical of coastal southwest WA: western grey kangaroos, brush wallabies, echidnas, and the critically endangered western ringtail possum (which relies on peppermint and marri trees along the coast). Carnaby's black-cockatoos forage in the coastal heath and woodland. The adjacent marine zone supports Australian sea lions (from colonies at Hamelin Bay) and New Zealand fur seals that haul out on coastal rocks. White-bellied sea eagles nest in tall coastal trees. The offshore waters support diverse marine life including calcarenite reef communities.

The park's vegetation includes peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) woodland — a characteristic coastal community of the lower southwest — and mallee-heath on coastal dunes and hillsides. Marri (C. calophylla) occurs in sheltered gully positions. The coastal heath supports diverse Banksia, Hakea, and Acacia species with outstanding spring wildflower displays. The south coast receives high rainfall (1,000+ mm) driving lush vegetation growth.

Milyeannup is underlain by granites and gneisses of the Leeuwin Block — Proterozoic rocks approximately 600–800 million years old. Coastal cliffs expose these ancient metamorphic rocks. Calcarenite dune limestone overlies older rocks on the coastal dune systems. The south coast is geologically active, with occasional landslips on steep coastal cliffs.

Cool temperate Mediterranean climate with high rainfall (1,000–1,200 mm) and strong Southern Ocean winds. Winters are stormy and wet; summers mild. The southwest coast is famous for large swells from Southern Ocean storms. Summer is the optimal visitor season.

Milyeannup lies within Bibbulmun Noongar country. Bibbulmun people used the south coast for fishing, shellfish gathering, and hunting. The Augusta-Hamelin Bay area was explored by Europeans in the 1800s. Cape Leeuwin, at the southwest tip of the Australian continent, was charted by French explorer Nicolas Baudin.

Milyeannup National Park was proclaimed to protect the coastal heathland and woodland of the lower southwest coast between the Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park system and D'Entrecasteaux National Park. DBCA manages the park in conjunction with the broader Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste-Margaret River reserve system.

Coastal walks along the cliff tops with dramatic Southern Ocean views. Hamelin Bay is a popular snorkelling site where manta rays, eagle rays, and sea lions interact with snorkellers. Spring wildflower observation along coastal tracks. Wildlife watching for black-cockatoos and sea eagles.

Located between Augusta and Hamelin Bay on the south coast. Access via Boodjidup Road. The Hamelin Bay campground (managed by Shire of Augusta-Margaret River) is nearby. Augusta and Margaret River provide accommodation and supplies.

The western ringtail possum requires peppermint woodland with mature hollow trees. Fox and cat predation is a serious threat. Coastal erosion and climate change (increasing storm intensity, sea level rise) threaten coastal habitats. Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback affects proteaceous coastal heath.