Waychinicup

Waychinicup National Park is a 38,726-hectare protected area on the south coast of Western Australia east of Albany, protecting one of the most botanically diverse coastal landscapes in the world. The park protects the Waychinicup Inlet and surrounding heathland, woodland, and granite inselberg habitats in the southern Cape Arid-Fitzgerald bioregion. The park is adjacent to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and together they protect one of the most significant coastal biodiversity areas in Australia. The park is managed by DBCA.

Waychinicup is adjacent to the habitat of the world's rarest marsupial — Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii), rediscovered at Two Peoples Bay in 1994 after being considered extinct for 120 years. The park supports the critically endangered ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) in coastal heath habitats. Western grey kangaroos, echidnas, quendas, and honey possums inhabit the heath. The Waychinicup Inlet supports black swans, pelicans, herons, and osprey. The southern ocean coast provides habitat for sea lions and fur seals.

The south coast kwongan heathland is exceptionally diverse — the Albany-Esperance coast has been identified as having the world's most diverse flora per unit area for temperate vegetation. Waychinicup protects coastal heath dominated by proteaceous shrubs (Banksia, Hakea, Dryandra), melaleucas, and acacias. Granite inselbergs support endemic plant communities. The wetlands and inlet support paperbarks, sedges, and aquatic plants. Over 1,000 plant species are recorded in the park.

Waychinicup overlies the Albany-Fraser Orogen — ancient Proterozoic metamorphic and granitic rocks (1.0–2.6 billion years old). Coastal granite domes and inselbergs characterise the landscape. The Waychinicup Inlet is a drowned river valley (ria) similar to the Walpole-Nornalup inlets further west. Sandy coastal soils derived from weathered granite and calcarenite dunes support the diverse kwongan flora.

Cool temperate Mediterranean climate. Annual rainfall 600–800 mm on the south coast. Winters are stormy and wet; summers mild. The south coast receives strong Southern Ocean swells. Spring is the primary wildflower season.

Waychinicup lies within Minang Noongar country. Minang people have connections to the Waychinicup Inlet and surrounding coast, using the marine and heathland resources. The south coast was charted by European explorers in the early nineteenth century.

Waychinicup National Park was proclaimed to protect the outstanding coastal biodiversity and complement the adjacent Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in providing comprehensive habitat for the critically endangered ground parrot and Gilbert's potoroo.

Bushwalking through coastal kwongan heathland with outstanding wildflower displays. The Waychinicup Inlet provides kayaking and birdwatching opportunities. Coastal walks with Southern Ocean views. Wildlife observation. Spring wildflowers (August–November) are exceptional.

Located east of Albany on the South Coast Highway. Access via Lower Denmark Road and local roads. Minimal facilities. Free entry. Albany provides full visitor services.

Phytophthora cinnamomi dieback is a severe threat to the park's proteaceous flora. The ground parrot is extremely sensitive to altered fire regimes — it requires a specific post-fire regeneration mosaic. Fox and cat predation threatens Gilbert's potoroo and other small mammals. Climate change effects on the Leeuwin Current and coastal rainfall are being monitored.