Shannon National Park, Nature reserve in Western Australia.
Shannon National Park is a 530 km² national park on the south coast of Western Australia, 55 km south of Manjimup, covering the upper Shannon River from its source about 50 km downstream. Old-growth karri, jarrah and marri grow mainly in the north; old jarrah forest, banksias, heathland and wetlands lie to the south.
The area developed as a timber mill town from the 1940s onward until it was designated as a protected park in 1988. Today the former town site functions as a campground and visitor hub.
The park lies within the country of the Menang Noongar people, whose connection to this land predates the 1940s timber town. The former Shannon townsite, now a campground, sits beside the old mill site, and the Great Forest Trees Drive follows former logging roads through karri and jarrah forest.
The 48 km Great Forest Trees Drive, unsealed for its whole length, was completed in 1996 and has information stops, picnic areas and walks along the way. The campground has toilets, gas barbecues, hot water showers and two huts allocated first come, first served. Entry fees apply.
The park's old sawmill, closed and demolished in 1968, left traces still visible near the visitor centre and campground, and former logging roads now serve as roads and walking tracks. The mill and the town of Shannon were built in the mid-1940s after wartime timber shortages.
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