Great Forest Trees Drive is a self-guided, 50 kilometre drive that winds its way through spectacular old-growth karri, jarrah and marri forest in Shannon National Park.
There are several stops along the way where you can stretch your legs, have a picnic or just enjoy the views. The 535-sq-km Shannon National Park is on the South Western Highway, 53km south of Manjimup. Until 1968 Shannon was the site of WA’s biggest timber mill, and plants including deciduous trees from the northern hemisphere are reminders of the old settlement.
The drive starts from the northern side of the South West Highway and finishes at the Shannon Campground, south of the highway. The 50km Great Forest Trees Drive is a one-way loop, split by the highway. Start at the park day-use area on the north of the highway. The first stop along the drive is the picturesque Shannon Dam which was built to supply water to the Shannon Mill and town.
The other stops along the northern loop of the drive are Which tree is that, Melaleucas and Curtin Tank. Once you cross the South West Highway, the southern loop of the drive will take you past Snake Gully, Big Tree Grove and Inferno Hill before finishing at the Shannon Campground. You can learn more about the great forest trees of Shannon National Park from the interpretive signage along the way.