Starting from the car park at the end of Mount Frankland Road, this walk takes you on a circuit past the Wilderness View Lookout, then up to the summit of Mount Frankland and down around the mountain via the Summit and Caldyanup Trails. Combining three short trails in Mount Frankland National Park, this walk follows an elevated metal walkway to the Wilderness View Lookout, then leads to the top of Mount Frankland via the bitumen Summit Trail before circling around the mountain via the Caldyanup Trail. Featuring exceptional views of the Walpole Wilderness as well as Mount Frankland itself, this short scenic walk immerses you in one of the best granite and karri areas in Australia's South West. The walk to the Wilderness View Lookout is only a few hundred meters from the car park, featuring a stainless steel walkway that follows the contour of a granite hill dominated by karri forest and a mossy rock face. It's a relatively short trip to the edge of the hill, where a viewing platform extends out above the trees, providing magnificent views of the forest below and the peaks far on the horizon. The Summit Trail starts with a gentle incline, following a bitumen path with plenty of little benches along its route. On either side of the path, the karri-dominated forest is lush and beautiful, with the track rising fairly quickly. The bitumen path eventually ends, leading to a series of concrete steps and metal ladders. The final ascent has some of the best views of the whole trail, and once you reach the summit you will encounter the Towerman's Lookout and be rewarded with spectacular 360° views of the surrounding landscape. Branching off from close to where the Summit Trail first reaches the granite dome on the way up, the Caldyanup Trail starts by skirting along the granite slope of Mount Frankland, following a stainless steel walkway that soon gives way to a natural surface with mostly rocky terrain. The trail continues to follow the dome as it descends, giving walkers a sense of this monolith's sheer size from multiple vantage points. It eventually loops back to join the Summit Trail at the picnic area, from where walkers can return via the same route to the car park. Mount Frankland has good facilities for a fairly remote park, including a large arrival shelter with maps and information about the geology and the walks in the area, as well as a picnic area that's equipped with gas barbecues and has picnic tables. The walk is largely well signed, with maps and interpretive panels mainly along the Summit Trail. Wheelchair access is available to the picnic area, toilet and Wilderness View Lookout. The ascent to the summit includes many steep concrete steps and a short ladder climb, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. The trail around the granite dome is challenging, with uneven surfaces and occasional natural obstacles. Walkers should consider the weather conditions before proceeding on this walk, as the granite surfaces can be slippery when wet. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn left onto Thompson Road and drive for another 570 m
Turn right onto Mount Frankland Road and drive for another 4.8 km
Continue onto Mount Frankland Road and drive for another 1.7 km
Turn left onto Mount Frankland Road and drive for another 75 m
Getting started From the carpark on Mount Frankland Road (220 metres west of Wilderness View Lookout), head east for about 25 metres, then take a 90-degree right turn. Follow the dirt track as you start moving away from the Wilderness View Lookout. When the track splits near Towerman’s Hut and Picnic Area, keep left to continue along Mount Frankland Summit and Caldyanup Trails (clockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet (about 50 m back from the start).
After another 80 m turn left.
After another 195 m cross the bridge (about 100 m long)
Then find the "Wilderness View Lookout" (on your left).
Visitors to Mount Frankland can still enjoy spectacular views without the steep walk to the summit. A short, 600m return walk along a universally accessible stainless steel walkway leads to the Wilderness View Lookout, with a series of interpretive panels along the way describing the endemic trees and plants in the area. Nestled amongst karri, jarrah and tingle trees, the lookout offers uninterrupted views over the western side of the Walpole Wilderness from high above the forest floor.
After another 225 m continue straight.
After another 15 m come to the "Mt Frankland Campground - Mt Frankland National Park" (15 m on your left).
After another 100 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to the summit of Mount Frankland and back, where you can see Frankland River and much more if it's not misty/foggy. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 330 m turn left.
After another 1.1 km find the "Towerman's Hut and Picnic Area" (on your left).
Due to its height overlooking the Walpole Wilderness, Mount Frankland used to be a fire lookout tower. The old Towerman's Hut is located in what is now a picnic area equipped with gas barbecues and picnic tables. The hut was constructed in 1956 and the watchmen of the time used it while observing the weather and watching for fires in the area.
Veer left.
After another 120 m turn left.
After another 30 m come to the end.
This side trip takes you to the summit of Mount Frankland and back, where you can see Frankland River and much more if it's not misty/foggy.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 90 m head up the steps
After another 165 m come to "Mount Frankland".
At an elevation of 384 metres, Mount Frankland is not particularly tall; however its exposed granite dome takes the form of a huge, expansive monolith. The dome-shaped summit of Mount Frankland stands out of the thick forests around it and provides panoramic views of the picturesque landscape all around.
The Frankland River can be seen towards the coast, the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges to the east, and Mount Roe to the north, considering it's a clear day. The summit of this impressive granite monadnock is very safe, with fencing to protect walkers from falling over the edge. A plaque attached to a pillar serves as the summit cairn, with the plaque naming the surrounding landmarks.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 260 m to the main route.
Mount Frankland Summit and Caldyanup Trails
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
2.2 km
Time
1 h to 2 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, becoming less likely in the early afternoon. Winds westerly 25 to 40 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 18 and 21.
UV Alert: Sun protection 8:10am to 3:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
Wednesday 6 November
12°C → 17°C
Shower or two. Wind easing. 70% chance of rain 0 → 3mm
Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the south, slight chance elsewhere. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h tending southwesterly in the morning then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 21.
Thursday 7 November
11°C → 18°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Cloudy. The chance of morning frost in the north. Slight chance of a shower in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending southerly during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
Friday 8 November
11°C → 18°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 6 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 25.