Tathra

Tathra National Park is a 25,820-hectare protected area in the Murchison region of Mid West Western Australia, north of Geraldton. The park protects coastal heath, mallee-heath, and woodland habitats in the transition zone between the Geraldton Sandplains and the northern Kwongan. The Geraldton Sandplains is one of Australia's most botanically diverse regions, and Tathra protects a significant sample of its exceptional flora. The park is managed by DBCA.

Tathra supports the fauna typical of Mid West mallee-kwongan. Carnaby's black-cockatoo depends critically on the banksia and hakea seeds of the Geraldton Sandplains. The malleefowl constructs large incubation mounds in undisturbed mallee. Western grey kangaroos, echidnas, quendas, and monitor lizards are present. Reptile diversity is exceptional for this latitude. The regent parrot and mulga parrot are significant woodland bird species.

The Geraldton Sandplains bioregion supports extraordinary plant diversity with hundreds of endemic species. Tathra protects banksia woodland (Banksia menziesii, B. attenuata, B. candolleana), mallee-heath, and scrubland on various sand and limestone substrates. Spring wildflowers (August–November) include Banksia prionotes (acorn banksia), various Verticordia, Calytrix, and Callistemon species. The flora is globally recognised as one of Australia's most species-rich habitats.

The Geraldton Sandplains overlie Permian and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Perth Basin. Quaternary aeolian sands cap the surface, supporting the characteristic banksia woodland. Coastal calcarenite occurs near the coast. The underlying geology creates diverse soil types, supporting microhabitat diversity and high plant beta-diversity.

Warm Mediterranean climate. Annual rainfall 400–500 mm. Springs are mild with moderate rainfall; summers are hot and dry (regularly exceeding 40°C). The coast moderates temperatures. Spring (August–November) is optimal for wildflowers.

Tathra National Park lies within Yamatji country. Yamatji people have traditional connections to the Geraldton Sandplains, using the heath's resources for food, fibre, and ceremony. European farming settlement of the Geraldton hinterland occurred from the 1840s, clearing much of the native vegetation.

Tathra National Park was proclaimed to protect an outstanding section of the Geraldton Sandplains flora, providing a significant reserve in a region where much vegetation has been cleared for farming.

Spring wildflower observation through banksia woodland and mallee-kwongan — one of WA's best wildflower parks. Birdwatching for Carnaby's black-cockatoos and malleefowl. Nature walks through diverse kwongan communities.

Located north of Geraldton. Access via unsealed roads. Minimal facilities. Geraldton provides full visitor services.

Carnaby's black-cockatoo has declined severely across the Geraldton Sandplains due to clearing of breeding and foraging habitat. Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback, invasive weeds, and altered fire regimes threaten the kwongan flora. Fox predation reduces malleefowl breeding success.