Stokes National Park

Stokes National Park covers a coastal area with heath, scrubland, dense forest, and sandy beaches along the southern coast of Western Australia. The park also includes Stokes Inlet, a large estuary with shallow waters and varied plant life.

John Septimus Roe named Stokes Inlet in 1848 during his coastal exploration, honoring John Lort Stokes who surveyed the Western Australian coast from HMS Beagle. This early exploration brought the area to the attention of European mapmakers.

The park preserves several ecosystems of Western Australia, with the Moir homestead site showing how early European settlers lived in this region. Visitors can see how people adapted their daily lives to the coastal landscape.

The park has several campsites, with Benwenerup accessible by regular vehicles while other locations require four-wheel drive. The area is best explored with plenty of time and preparation for changing coastal weather.

The protected area contains a large estuary with shallow waters where visitors can spot black bream, Australian salmon, and other fish species. These shallow waters are among the most important spawning grounds for marine species in the region.

Location: Shire Of Esperance

Operator: Parks and WIldlife Service, Western Australia

Website: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/stokes

GPS coordinates: -33.83415,121.07475

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27