Lake Clifton Thrombolites: Boardwalk Status & Visit Guide

Is the Lake Clifton thrombolites boardwalk open?

Visit Mandurah's Lake Clifton Thrombolites page says: "TEMPORARILY CLOSED: The Lake Clifton thrombolite boardwalk is currently closed while construction works are underway. Please check current access information before planning your visit." It gives no reopening date. DBCA's Explore Parks page for the site, which describes the boardwalk, shows no closure notice at the time of writing, so the two sources do not match. The safe plan is to check the DBCA Explore Parks page and the Visit Mandurah page on the morning you travel, and to have a second plan from the walks below. Emergency WA is the place for fire and road alerts.

What are the Lake Clifton thrombolites?

Thrombolites are rock-like structures built by micro-organisms that live inside them. Trails WA describes Lake Clifton as holding the largest known community of living thrombolites in the southern hemisphere, and Visit Mandurah and the ABC describe the Lake Clifton formations as around 2,000 years old. The ABC has also reported that the site is a threatened ecological community. DBCA notes that scientists know little about why they form at Lake Clifton, and that the formations are very fragile, which is why a raised walkway was built to protect them.

That fragility matters for visitors. In June 2024 the ABC reported damage after people walked off the paths to photograph the May 2024 aurora, and a palaeontologist quoted in the story said the damage may be unrepairable. Stay on the marked path, never step onto the shoreline or touch the formations, and leave night-time photography to the viewing platforms where they are open.

When can you see the thrombolites best?

Water level changes what you see. DBCA's own photo captions show the thrombolites "all under water" in July and say they are less clearly visible when the water level is higher. Tourism WA's guidance, as we read it, points to the drier months of March and April for the clearest views, while Trails WA lists April to November as the season for the Lakeside Loop. Because those sources differ, treat late summer to autumn as the most likely time for clear shoreline views and check recent visitor photos before you plan a trip around it.

Lakeside Loop: the walk from the thrombolites car park

The Lakeside Loop starts from the Mt John Road car park at Lake Clifton. Trails WA lists it as a 5 km loop, Class 2 (easy, hardened surface with gentle hills or occasional steps), with an estimated time of about 2 hours (other walking sites give around 1.75 hours). The start sits about 100 km, or 1.5 hours, south of Perth by Trails WA's measure. Facilities listed at the site include a car park, picnic area and public toilet, and DBCA lists a jetty and picnic table. Trails WA says the walk may suit assisted wheelchair users where ramps are provided at steps, so check conditions on the day. Rubbish bins are not provided, so take your rubbish home.

Rules on the DBCA and Trails WA pages are strict: no pets, no fires, and no swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating or fishing on the lakes. Trails WA also notes 1080 baiting for feral animals in this area, which is poisonous to dogs and cats, so leave pets at home.

Other Yalgorup National Park walks and stops

If the boardwalk is closed, the rest of Yalgorup National Park is still open for walking and birdwatching. DBCA describes the park as a chain of lakes where migratory waterbirds stop over, and lists bird watching, bushwalking and picnicking.

• Lake Preston walk: Trails WA lists a 2 km easy walk of less than an hour.
• Lake Pollard trail: Trail Hiking lists a 6 km circuit of about 2.25 hours, with a picnic area at the Lake Pollard Walk Trail parking area.
• Heathlands Walk Trail: named by Tourism WA among the park walks noted for birdlife and seasonal wildflowers. Check DBCA for the current length before you go.

DBCA's Martins Tank page states there is no vehicle entry fee for Yalgorup National Park. Trails WA lists "National Park fees" on the Lakeside Loop page without an amount, so confirm on the DBCA page on the day.

Camping at Martins Tank

Martins Tank Campground is the park's camping option. DBCA lists 33 unpowered campsites, bookings essential (up to 180 days ahead) and no day use without a booking. A per person camping fee applies and is paid by Mastercard or Visa at booking. There is no drinking water, campfires are only in the communal fire pit with seasonal restrictions, firewood must be brought in, and dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted. DBCA warns that December to April can be extremely hot with a very high bushfire risk, so plan summer trips with care.

Getting there from Perth and Mandurah

Trails WA gives the Lakeside Loop start as Mt John Road, Heron, about 100 km (1.5 hours) south of Perth. Visit Mandurah places the thrombolites just south of Mandurah, and Tourism WA puts Preston Beach about 1 hour 25 minutes south of Perth and 45 minutes south of Mandurah. Lake Clifton sits north of Preston Beach, so it is an easy stop on the way down from Mandurah. Check your map app for the exact route. From Bunbury it is a drive back north up the coast. Interstate visitors usually fly into Perth and hire a car, since the walks and campsites are spread out.

A relaxed weekend: Lake Clifton, Preston Beach and Mandurah

Many visitors treat Lake Clifton as a stop rather than a destination, and a weekend base gives you time for it. Gracie & Dan's Coastal Retreat at Preston Beach is a pet-friendly (by approval) house for 5 with lake views, a fireplace, a fenced yard and parking for 5 cars. It is a short walk from the golf course, so it works for golfers, families and groups who want a quiet base rather than a hotel.

• Friday night: drive down from Perth and settle in. Read our Preston Beach stargazing guide for dark-sky tips.
• Saturday morning: check the boardwalk status, then walk the Lakeside Loop or the Lake Preston walk. Lunch at Lake Clifton Cafe or a picnic: see the Preston Beach food guide.
• Saturday afternoon: beach time. See the Preston Beach swimming guide for patrol and safety notes.
• Sunday: head north through Mandurah for the things to do in Mandurah guide, or stop at the Mandurah cruises.

See Gracie & Dan's Coastal Retreat for photos, rules and to book direct.