Mount Dale is a
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher t ...
in
Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...
about east of
Armadale in the
Shire of Beverley. At high, it is one of the highest points in the
Darling Scarp.
It is best known for its walk track, which forms part of the
Bibbulmun Track. The track leads from a parking and picnic area to the summit, passing through of
jarrah
''Eucalyptus marginata'', commonly known as jarrah, in Noongar language and historically as Swan River mahogany, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a tree with rough, fibro ...
forest, which is coloured by a host of
wildflower
A wildflower (or wild flower) is a flower that grows in the wild, rather than being intentionally seeded or planted. The term implies that the plant is neither a hybrid nor a selected cultivar that is any different from the native plant, eve ...
s in spring. South of
Mundaring Weir, Mount Dale is visible when looking south-southeast from
Glen Forrest outside Helena College on Bilgoman Road.
Mount Dale was once the site of a fire lookout tower as it provides almost uninterrupted 360° views over the National Park and surrounding State Forest areas.
[ a 1925 reflection on being in the fire tower ]
This has now been replaced by a communications tower which obstructs the 360° panorama, though the footings of the old lookout tower and associated equipment are still visible among the undergrowth and stunning panoramic views are available from the parking area just below the peak. It was named after
Robert Dale, who in 1829 became the first European explorer to venture into the Darling Scarp.
See also
*
Mount Cooke
*
Mount Gunjin
Notes
References
WalkGPS.com: Mount Dale-Beraking Brook Walk (Walk #12)
Dale
Fire lookout towers in Australia
Darling Range
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