Bluff Knoll, Western Australia: Best time to climb

The walk to the top of Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia, is reasonably tough going but not horrendous. It’s a steep 6.5km return journey, rewarded with superlative views.

Bluff Knoll is the highest point in the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia. This Australian mountain is 1,098 metres above sea level, and getting to the top makes for a vigorous but manageable walk.

From the Bluff Knoll car park, the summit walk is 6.8km. It is rated as a Grade 4 walk, largely because the path is steep and there are numerous steps on the way. Anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness might work up a bit of a sweat, but not find it too arduous.

If you prefer, you can book a guided walk up Bluff Knoll.

Bluff Knoll walk: Stirling Range wildflowers

It’s a pleasant walk, too, especially during wildflower season. In the spring, thousands of plant species burst into flower, accompanying the usual canvas of grass trees, banksia and eucalypts.

But the real reason to take on the Bluff Knoll walk is the views from the top. You can see 360 degrees. The scene includes the surrounding countryside, but on a clear day, you can see all the way to the south coast of Western Australia.

Best time to climb Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park

The best time to climb Bluff Knoll is sunrise or sunset, but if attempting the walk at either time, you need to make sure you’re properly equipped. A torch and some cooler weather gear are necessary – conditions at the top can be considerably chillier than in the car park.

Bluff Knoll is the highlight of the Stirling Range National Park, which is a 4.5 hour drive from Perth. It is better accessed from Albany on the south coast. From Albany, the drive to the Bluff Knoll car park should take about one-and-a-half hours. If you want somewhere closer, try the Granite Skywalk in the Porongurup National Park.

For more information, visit the WA Parks and Wildlife website. To book a guided tour, head this way…

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