The Stirling Range extends 65 kilometres from east to west and the highest peak of the range is Bluff Knoll; at 1095 metres above sea level. The main face of Bluff Knoll is one of the most striking cliffs in Australia. Visitors to the park can climb Bluff Knoll via a six kilometre return climb.

The Stirling Range was originally home to the Mineng and Goreng people whose name for the range was Koi Kyeunu-ruff. Bluff Knoll was Bular Mial (many eyes) or Bala Mial (his eyes) because of the shapes of the rocks of the bluff: depicting the eyes of an ancestral master spirit. The range is one of few places in Western Australia where snow occasionally falls.

The Porongurup Range is 12 kilometres long and the highest point is 670 metres. The name of the range is derived from the Aboriginal name Purringorep. The park supports the growth of karri trees and the understorey flowers and shrubs typical of karri forest: karri hazel, the purple flowered tree hovea, the Australian bluebell and the yellow flowered narrow-leaved water bush.

Location:

• The Stirling Range National Park is located 100 kilometres north east of Albany via Chester Pass Road and encompasses 115,920 hectares. It is 410 kilometres south east of the city of Perth.
• The Porongurup National Park covers 2511 hectares and is located 40 kilometres north of Albany via Chester Pass Road, Mount Barker-Porongurup Road and Bolganup Road.

Australia’s South West

Albany Visitor Centre

Mount Barker Visitor Centre