Beedelup Falls

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Rarity, Social and Representativeness

Physical Description

• Natural heritage site with high aesthetic value; • Located in the Beedelup National Park; • 18 km from Pemberton off the Vasse Highway; • Beedelup Falls drop a total of 106 metres; • The falls spread over a series of rocky cascades; • Particularly spectacular after the winter rains, and; • Foot bridges( including a suspension bridge and timber decking) give good access to view and photograph the falls.

History

The Beedelup Falls is a natural heritage site with high aesthetic value. It is located in the Beedelup National Park a 1500 ha area of dense karri forest which surrounds Beedelup Brook , featuring Beedelup Falls. Located 18 km from Pemberton off the Vasse Highway, the falls are particularly spectacular after the winter rains. The falls drop a total of 106 metres, spread over a series of rocky cascades. Some nearby foot bridges including a suspension bridge and timber decking give good access to view and photograph the falls. The Beedelup Falls are one of the many outstanding natural features to be seen along the Bibbulman Track, which is a world class walking trail extending nearly 1000km from Kalamunda to Albany. The idea for the track was first floated by Geoff Schafer in 1972. He was keen to encourage city dwellers to ‘go bush’. With support from the Forests Dept and seven years of planning and construction, the track was finally opened in 1979 as part of the WA 150th year celebrations. It was named in recognition of the pre-European inhabitants of the area, the Bibbulman people. In 1987 the track was overhauled, and the distinctive Waugal symbol was used for the track markers. The early 1990s saw the major revamping and realignment of the track, after extensive consultation and collaboration between government, business and community sectors. The upgrade also involved numerous school groups, community groups and individuals. The track was officially re-opened in 1995. The new track stretches nearly 1000k through a wide variety of jarrah, marri, karri, wandoo and tingle forests, interspersed with sections of coastal peppermint and heathlands. It traverses some of the most beautiful and wild areas of the South West, offering facilities unrivalled on any long trail in Australia. Thousands of people use the track each year, most people walking in stages of a couple of days each, while some earn the distinguished title of ‘End-to Enders’ for completing the track in one session. The Bibbulman Track is a valuable economic and natural heritage asset for the South West area, with a significant portion of it being in the Shire of Manjimup.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Good Authenticity: Good

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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