Spectacular Stirling Ranges
The Stirling Range is a recommended destination located just over 400 km from Perth (estimated 5 hour drive). The large national park is a contrast of rugged mountain peaks and pristine vegetated lowlands hosting an incredible diversity of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The wildflower wonderland can be best seen from spring to early summer (September to December).
The Stirling Range is also home to relict endemic invertebrates, with many recognised as Gondwanan. The land snails are one such group, with some families e.g. Rhytididae, more closely related to groups in mountainous areas of eastern Australia, over 2500km away! The WA Museum is currently working on the native land snail genus Bothriembryon which has at least two species in the Stirling Ranges. The micro land snails in the park have been little studied. If participants wish to collect land snails, please discuss with WA Museum staff well in advance of the IHW 2018 Workshop.
The Stirling Range Retreat is centred in the middle of the park and various types of accommodation are available, noting that September is peak period.
http://www.stirlingrange.com.au/
Meals are also available close by at Bluff Knoll café.
https://www.facebook.com/BluffKnollCafe/
Further information on the park can be obtained here:
https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/downloads/parks/stirling_range_npbroch.pdf