Beedelup National Park, Perth

Introduction: Situated on the Vasse highway in Pemberton, Beedelup National Park is mostly karri forest, with some mixed forest and some areas of jarrah and marri. The park features the Beedelup Falls and suspension bridge. The understorey is lush, and the atmosphere damp and often misty, because of the abundance of water. It is particularly soft and mossy, with many peppermints and a closely-related species, the swamp peppermint (Agonis linearifolia), recognised by its similar clusters of white flowers, but smaller and more rigid leaves. The lemon-scented darwinia (Darwinia citriodora), a sprawling shrub with greyish leaves held in opposite pairs, which have a lemony smell when crushed, is also common on the walktrail. Karri hazel, chorilaena, hibbertia and tassel flowers mix with water bush and the myrtle wattle (Acacia myrtifolia), which is smaller and has paler yellow flowers than the karri wattle. The park protects an area of 1786 hectares and is on the Vasse Highway west of Pemberton. Its major attraction is Beedelup Falls, which are in full flow during winter and spring. The falls can be viewed along a walktrail, from the suspension bridge, and from two bridges. Beedelup National Park was named after Beedelup Brook, which has been shown on plans since 1875. It is likely to be derived from the Nyoongar Aboriginal word beedja meaning sleep, so beedjalup would mean place of rest, which would be appropriate since Beedelup is a popular and peaceful recreation area.