Location: See map below

Comments: 

Stinton Cascade Nature Reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation and Environment. There are a collection of three Reserves. Gardiner Road passes through one of them.

Stinton Cascades Nature Reserve  is classified by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)  as a Nature Reserve. Nature Reserves are set aside for the conservation and restoration of the natural environment, the protection, care and study of indigenous flora and fauna, and the preservation of any feature of archaeological, historic or scientific interest. Only low-impact recreation may be permitted, and this only providing it does not adversely affect ecosystems.

We are very fortunate to have such a well-preserved Reserve in our area. It is very important that people and animals who walk through the Reserve are careful not to spread dieback disease.

Stinton Cascade Nature Reserve (R19662) is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and consists of 3 separate parts totalling about 126 ha. The easternmost part straddles Gardner Road and has signposted entrances on the northern and southern boundaries. Park on the verge of Gardner Rd. Tracks lead downhill from near the signs to Stinton Creek passing through well preserved Jarrah-Marri forest on the way. Take care when walking downhill as it is easy to slip on the lateritic gravel or honky nuts. A track follows the eastern bank of Stinton Creek. There is mostly low herb land vegetation and granite outcrops adjacent to the creek with mixed Yarri-Marri-Jarrah forest on higher ground. In winter, water from the creek cascades over a large granite outcrop near the southern boundary of the reserve, giving the reserve its name (allow at least 1 hour to walk to the cascades and back from the southern entrance or 2 hours if walking along the creek from the northern entrance). The track along the creek can be muddy in winter.
The southern part of the reserve adjoins the southwestern corner of the eastern part of the reserve. It is possible to walk to the southern part of the reserve by crossing the creek near the cascade or along the northern track and following the track around the reserve boundary (allow at least 4 hours for this walk). There is an area of herb land and granite outcrops fed by a winter soak in the central area of this part of the reserve with Jarrah-Marri forest surrounding it.
The northern part of the reserve adjoins the northwestern corner of the eastern part of the reserve but is no longer accessible from there due to a fence. It straddles Irymple Road and parking is available at the corner of Irymple Road and Civa Heights or on the verge of Irymple Road. This part of the reserve is Jarrah-Marri forest that was logged in the past. The remnants of the stump of the largest Jarrah tree logged in the region are located in this part of the reserve.

In Spring there is an abundance of wildflowers in Stinton Cascade Nature Reserve especially along Stinton Creek and in the herb land in the southern part of the reserve. Over 320 species of plant have been identified in the reserve including Hibbertias, Melaleucas, Lechenaultia, Verticordias, Hakeas, Grevilleas, Pimeleas, Patersonias and 30 species of orchid. For a full list of the plants with photographs and their identifying features go to Roleybushcare’s Flora Database here and select Stinton Cascade in the reserve dropdown box prior to pressing the search button. To narrow down the list when trying to identify a plant, additional attributes such as flower colour and month of flowering can also be selected.