Torbay Head, the most southerly point of the mainland of Western Australia, is situated within the park.[2]
The park is abutted against the coast of the Southern Ocean and takes up approximately 23 km (14 mi) of the coastline between Lowlands Beach and Forsythe Bluff.[3]
History
The park began as being vested in the Shire of Albany in 1977 for the purposes of recreation. By 1985 the area was gazetted as C Class Reserve after agreement between the shire and vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservancy Authority. Following the addition of an extra 41 ha (100 acres) that was a timber reserve along the northern boundary the park was given an A Class status in 1987. The park is now a single reserve (26177) and is made up of an area of 3,517 ha (8,690 acres).[4]
The rare and ancient Main's assassin spider, currently listed as threatened, was found to inhabit the park during a survey conducted in 2008.[5]
Flora
The park is home to a range of habitats including karri forest, coastal heath and wetlands each of which support a diverse array of vegetation and plant species. The area around Lake William supports a dense sedge scrub and rare species such as Amperea volubilus and an unnamed species of Melaleuca. The Albany Pitcher Plant, Cephalotus follicularis, is also found in the park.[6]
Facilities
Due to the sandy nature of many of the tracks, much of the park is accessible only to four-wheel drive vehicles, although all vehicles may reach the popular Shelley Beach where a campground is located.[7] Shelley Beach also has a look-out, toilet and barbecue launching facilities for hang-gliders.[8] The nearby Golden Gate Beach is also a popular location for surfers.
Western Australia's long-distance walking trail, the Bibbulmun Track passes through the park. The park has many facilities for bushwalkers, with a 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) return trip spur-trail from the track to Torbay Head and a boardwalk section of the track.[9] In the West of the park, there is an overnight shelter for walkers that sleeps 12-15 persons, named "West Cape Howe Campsite".[10]
