Travel & Touring | WA Things To Do
17 September, 2024 By: Ysabel Tang
Climbing Bluff Knoll is on the bucket list for many WA locals. Standing at 1098-metres above sea level, this challenging hike is the main attraction of the misty Stirling Ranges.
Just don’t let its popularity fool you: The view is breathtaking, but it’s a tough climb to the top.
Here’s everything you’ll need to know before you hit the road to tackle Bluff Knoll.
| Location | Great Southern region, closest towns are Mount Barker and Albany |
|---|---|
| Time and distance | 3 - 4 hours, 6.8 kilometres |
| Difficulty | Grade 4 - hiking experience is recommended, as the trail can be long and very steep. However, the path is well-maintained so is manageable at a slower pace for those of lower fitness levels |
| Best time to do it | Late autumn and spring |
| Access to trail | Road, two-wheel drive accessible |
| Facilities | Carpark, toilet, and lookout at trail head |
| Entry fee | National park entry fees apply |
Best time to climb
The trail is open all year round, but the best time to climb is in late autumn or spring when the weather isn’t too hot or wet.
In spring, a stunning array of native wildflowers cover the mountain. Lucky wildflower enthusiasts might even spot a rare Queen of Sheba Orchid nestled amongst the mountain’s blooms.
It also snows reliably once a year at Bluff Knoll, on cold mornings between July and September. Keep an eagle eye on the weather forecast if you’re chasing that magic moment when snow dusts the mountain.
The Aboriginal name for the Stirling Range, Koi Kyenunu-ruff, translates to 'mist moving around the mountains'. As the name suggests, the weather patterns can shift fast around the peaks, so be sure to pack a jacket and be prepared for increasing wind and chill at the top. Though you should only attempt the climb in good weather.
How long it takes to climb
The hike is 6.8-kilometres long, following a steep out-and-back trail. Most guides say it takes around 3 to 4 hours to climb Bluff Knoll. In reality, the hike can be shorter or longer depending on your fitness level.
The trail is a long staircase to the top broken up by a few compacted earth pathways and a bridge about half-way up. If you have trouble with your knees, it’s worth considering a hiking stick or simply taking things slow.
While the walk is challenging in terms of the incline in some sections, there's no race to the top and it's perfectly achievable for those with lower levels of fitness. Just take your time, enjoy the scenery, and be sure to stop at the waterfall for a good rest about one third of the way up.
About the hiking trail
The trail starts with a descent along a paved pathway through low-lying bushland. A tunnel of eucalypt, banksia and grass trees signals the beginning of your ascent.
As you climb, hikers making the descent will happily tell you, “You’re almost at the top”. Don’t be fooled: This is encouragement.
Here’s what to really expect as you climb.
The mountain is best mentally tackled in thirds. You'll know you’ve completed the first third when you reach a small waterfall. The second third is marked by a change in scenery as the trees thin out, replaced by granite boulders and low-lying shrub. Then you’ll round the face of the mountain, where you’ll be exposed to the elements as you climb the final third to the peak.
The path to the top is clearly signposted, with some informative plaques along the way. There are no alternative trails, so there's little chance of getting lost if you stay on the path.
The views from the peak of Bluff Knoll are almost other-worldly and unlike anywhere else in WA. As you gain height you can see further north and west across the Stirling Ranges. From the summit the views sweep southwards across to the Porongurup Ranges.
Take your time and soak it all up. It's also a spectacular spot to stop on a sunny day for a picnic lunch before the climb back down.
Dieback is a big problem in the Stirling Range, so do be careful not to stray from the path and keep your hiking boots as clean as possible. Unfortunately, more than 2,300 plant species in the South West are susceptible.
How to get there
Bluff Knoll is in the heart of the Stirling Ranges in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
It takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive to Bluff Knoll from Perth via Albany Highway.
Break up the journey with a pit stop at Williams Woolshed in Williams. Along with a great cup of coffee, the café serves up pub-inspired favourites from nachos and fish and chips to hearty burgers. The attached playground makes this a popular spot for young families. The venue is also pet-friendly.
A few more hours into the drive, stretch your legs in the quaint town of Kojonup. Here you’ll find a well-stocked IGA and a couple of cafes for your next caffeine hit. Take time to absorb the history of the town and the Nyoongar culture and stories in The Kodj Gallery, The Storyplace, and The Rose Maze. Be sure to say hello to Nyoongar elder Jack if you see him while visiting; you'll be in for a treat if you catch some of his storytelling magic.
As you near the Stirling Ranges, stop off at Mt Barker Country Bakery, one of the best country bakeries in WA. You can’t go wrong with their award-winning pies. But the must-try is their conti roll—if you’re lucky enough to snag one before they sell out.
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Where to stay
Visitors to the Stirling Ranges have a few options to set up base: Stay in the Stirling Ranges, in the nearby village of Porongurup, or in Albany.
Stirling Ranges accommodation
One great accommodation option is Mount Trio Bush Camp. This private bushland campground, built largely from repurposed materials, has powered and unpowered sites, a camp kitchen, and is a stellar spot to set up camp for a few days of hiking.
An altogether different atmosphere is The Lily, a slice of European hospitality in the middle of the Aussie bush. This unique accommodation is one of Australia's only operational flour windmills. Take your pick from one of the 16th-century replica Dutch-style houses, or for something completely different, spend a night in their vintage Dakota aircraft.
Stirling Range Retreat is another popular option in the area. Choose from no-frills campsites to motel accommodation or self-contained rammed earth cottages.
The Stirling Ranges are remote, making it perfect if you’re chasing an off-grid experience. However, with little in the immediate area other than mountains and accommodation, it’s recommended you pack your own food.
You can pick up basic supplies at the Bluff Knoll café at the turn off to Bluff Knoll Road. For anything more, there are supermarkets in Mt Barker and Albany around an hours’ drive west and south respectively.
Stay in Porongurup or Albany
About a forty-minute drive south of Bluff Knoll, there’s the ancient Porongurup Ranges. Here you’ll find the small village of Porongurup, which boasts wineries, a quaint tearoom, an award-winning Thai restaurant, and access to its own share of spectacular hikes. There’s a variety of accommodation in the area, including the historic Karribank hotel and a trio of country houses across the road at Bolganup Homestead.
Albany is another great base for hiking Bluff Knoll, particularly if you’d rather avoid cooking—and cleaning up—during your trip. At just over an hour south of Bluff Knoll, this stunning coastal town has plenty of accommodation options, a variety of eateries, spectacular hikes, and plenty of other things to see and do once you’ve conquered Bluff Knoll.
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