The Sterling Range mountain landscape is stunning and comes alive in Wildflower season with an array of unique wildflowers. 1,500 species (many of which grow nowhere else) of  wildflowers are within the boundaries of the Sterling Range.

Climbing Bluff Knoll has drawn bushwalkers and climbers alike to the Stirling Range National Park for many a year. At 1,095 metres above sea level, Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the south-west of Western Australia. . It takes three to four hours to complete the six-kilometre return climb but it is worth it.

The Stirling Range stretches for 65 kilometres, east to west, and the rocks of the range were once sands and silts deposited in the delta of a river flowing into a shallow sea.

Because of their height, and proximity to the south coast, the climate on the peaks differs from that of the surrounding district. This is the main reason for the great variety of wildflowers. There are, for instance, an astonishing 123 orchid species

When To Visit

An ideal time to visit is late spring and early summer (October to December), when days are beginning to warm up and the wildflowers are at their best. Winter, between June and August, is cold and wet, and visitors should come prepared. Even in spring the weather can be unpredictable, particularly higher in the range. Sudden cold changes cause the temperature to drop and rain or hail to set in. All visitors are strongly advised not to enter the bush or use footpaths on days of extreme fire danger.

The range is one of few places in Western Australia where snow occasionally falls.

Where is it?
The park is about 100 km north-east of Albany via Chester Pass Road.

Travelling time:
Just over one hour from Albany.

What to do:
Bushwalking, mountain climbing, camping, picnicking, bird watching, wildflower viewing.

• Walks:

  • BLUFF KNOLL - This 5 km return, 3-4 hour walk is of medium difficulty, if taken slowly.

  • TOOLBRUNUP - Hard 4 km, 3-4 hour walk has magnificent 360ß views from the summit.

  • MOUNT MAGOG - Hard (pegs as markers for final kilometre to the summit), 8km 3-4 hour return walk.

  • TALYUBERLUP - Medium, 3 km 2-3 hour return walk.

  • MOUNT HASSELL - Medium 4 km, 1.5-2 hour return walk.

  • MOUNT TRIO - Medium 3 km, 1.5-2 hour walk.

• WARNING: Walking is not recommended in wet or windy conditions or in extreme heat.