The route to Mokare’s Rock is steep in places but the view to leafy karri crowns and across the Shannon Basin is magnificent. A boardwalk across Mokare’s Rock protects the fragile carpet of mosses, lichens and flowers growing on the granite.
This walk starts at the Shannon Dam in the Shannon National Park.
Cross the causeway at Shannon Dam and start to climb alongside the karri crowns. As you walk, try to identify the different tree species. The chattering birds urge you to continue your climb. As you go higher, the trees thin out and the drought tolerant jarrah tree becomes more prevalent as the ground becomes rocky. Turn a corner in the trail and there is Mokare’s Rock, complete with a colourful carpet of flowers, mosses and lichens, from a boardwalk, you can get a close look at the delicate foliage without damaging it. Pause for a moment to enjoy the view across the Shannon River Basin, before slowly winding your way down through shady glens of karri oaks to the short spur trail to Smeathers Rock. It’s worth taking this 360m return trail to see the Hollowbutt Karri and the forest views from Smeathers Rock.
From Smeathers Rock, it is a short walk back to the Dam.
For a longer walk, you can start at the Shannon Campground and follow the Shannon Dam Walk Trail up to the Dam before picking up the Rocks Walk Trail.