The Seniorocity Guide to Yanchep National Park

Yanchep National Park is well worth a trip to Perth’s outer northern suburbs – it’s a 40 minute drive from the Perth CBD. From bush tracks, a historic pub, cool caves, cute koalas and a café – there’s plenty to see and do. At the entrance, you’ll pay an entry fee, then you’re free to explore the park.

Picnics and BBQs

There are many lovely spots to throw down a rug to enjoy a picnic by the lake or why not make use of one of the free BBQs.

Caves

Did you know that Yanchep National Park is home to over 400 Caves?! A couple of the caves have been open for tourists to view for many decades, with daily 45 minute cave tours. The tour takes you through the beautiful Crystal Cave, which has been recently upgraded to include better access. As long as you can manage steps and have to duck a few times for low hanging rocks (if you are tall), then descending into the underground is definitely for you!

Wildlife

Yanchep National Park is home to many water and bush birds including swans, pelicans, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, parrots, wrens and honeyeaters, as well as the resident grey kangaroos. With dense Tuart woodland and wetlands, the national park is a brilliant place for spotting birds and wildflowers in early spring.

Bush Tracks

If you enjoy walking through natural bush – the park has nine walk trails which are designed for a variety of age groups, interests and fitness abilities. The tracks start easy with short trails of 500 metres, through to more challenging trails of over 40 kilometres! The Ghost House Walk includes seeing spooky old ruins amongst the trees. Information about all of the walks are available at the McNess House Visitor Centre.

Koalas

Of course, koalas are not native to WA, but you can still see them at Yanchep National Park. No visit to the park is complete without saying g’day to its resident Koalas. The Koala Boardwalk is a 240 metre wooden boardwalk where you can view several native Koala’s hiding out in the trees. You may have to look high up into the leaves to spot them!

Tours & Experiences

Daily activities available to park visitors include tours through the underground world of the Crystal Cave, a tour of the park’s wetland area Loch McNess and a fascinating Aboriginal cultural experience. Cave yoga in the Cabaret Cave is a wonderfully unique and relaxing activity. You can even take a ride in a helicopter at Yanchep National Park! West Coast Heli Scene give joy rides to see the park and coast from the air.

Yanchep Inn

The historic Tudor style pub offers up pub grub, in the many dining areas – choose to sit on the front veranda, the traditional dining rooms or in the gardens at the rear of the Inn which overlook the pretty lake.

Café

The traditional style Chocolate Drops Tearooms serves light refreshments (toasties, soup etc) and yummy handmade chocolates. It serves up a ver good coffee, and there’s plenty of sweet treats to choose from.

Trees Course

For adventurous adults and grandkids alike, the high ropes course is a lot of fun! Make your way through the tuart trees on wobbly bridges, tight ropes, cargo nets, ziplines and many more obstacles at Treetops Adventure!

Camping

You can even stay at the park! Book a camp site at Henry White Oval on the Park Stay WA website.

For more information about Yanchep National Park, visit the McNess House Visitor Centre. Visiting the park is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

Yanchep National Park – The Details

Find Yanchep National Park at Wanneroo Road, Yanchep.

Cost: $15 per car or $8 per car with a seniors or concession card.

Get more information on their website

About the Author
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About Stella B

Stella is loving retirement! Besides her loves of gardening, reading and painting, she adores spending time with her family and being out and about in Perth. Living in the Perth Hills, her time is often spent brunching with her husband at one of Kalamunda’s many cafes or enjoying a food platter over a glass of wine at a Bickley Valley winery.