$17 million John Forrest National Park redevelopment commences

While it was a truly sad day for great Perth pubs when John Forrest Tavern was forced to shut up shop last year, we at least have an improved national park to look forward to with the John Forrest National Park Improvement Project.

And work has begun on that transformation, with construction starting on a new day use area that will include accessible picnic and barbeque facilities, landscaped gardens and pathways.

Those pathways will eventually lead to a new café and function space.

“The new picnic and day use area will complement the surrounding landscape and allow visitors and families to enjoy nature at its best,” said WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby.

“John Forrest National Park is a hidden gem in the Perth Hills. This redevelopment will attract
tourists to the area and ensure this natural asset continues to be a must-visit destination.”

The 2023-24 State Budget upped the spend on the John Forrest National Park redevelopment by a further $6.3 million, bringing the total government spend to over $17 million.

Other projects include a $1.1 million access road, which will run for over 700 metres, with the West Ridge Carpark the next component of the project to get underway.

When it does, Scenic Drive will be closed to visitors from August, with people able to enter the park via the Park Road entrance while construction is going on.

“This is an exciting project for such a popular destination. The day use area will be the perfect
spot for a picnic or barbeque, that the entire community can enjoy,” said Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes.

“The new access road will provide easy access to the trails and facilities within the national
park for both locals and visitors alike.”

You can learn more about the Improvement Plan here.