The Northcliffe and Windy Harbour areas record more than 1000mm of rain annually with the majority of rain falling in autumn, winter and early spring. The start of our autumn rain signals the arrival of our annual fungi season, a vital component of our ecosystems. While some fungi can be found all year round, a walk in the bush after rain will reveal displays of fungi in a wide variety of shapes and colours – mushrooms, boletes, bracket fungus, earth stars, coral fungus in vivid shades of yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, purple as well as more cryptic species in earthy colours. There is a progression of different species through the season and some are found only after fire.
Visit stands of old-growth Karri forest around waterways to discover the biggest variety of fungi species in the wet season. Wander through walk trails in the Northcliffe Forest Park, Warren National Park, The Cascades in Gloucester National Park and Beedelup Falls and Lake Beedelup in Greater Beedelup National Park. Patches of Jarrah forest around Northcliffe and the coastal heath in D’Entrecasteaux NP often produce other interesting species. Recommended locations to visit include the Northcliffe Forest Park, Northcliffe Cemetery, a series of trails behind the Northcliffe Catholic Church and the coastal heath between Windy Harbour, Cathedral Beach and Pt D’Entrecasteaux.
