Moore River

Moore River

The Moore River Estuary is one of the most pristine, yet fragile estuarine environments in the south west of Western Australia. Regionally significant for its riverine Tuart vegetation (Eucalyptus gomphocephala), the estuary is also significant for its recreational values to local West Australians and tourists. The Moore River Estuary's unspoilt, tranquil, undeveloped natural environment is the major reason hundreds of thousands of people visit Guilderton at the mouth of the Estuary each year. Over the past decade, the Estuary has been subject to enormous development pressure, while so far the dedicated effort by the local community has protected the Moore River Estuary from negative agricultural and urban development practices. The Guilderton Community Association is an advocate of Ecologically Sustainable Development, and in this respect, the Moore River Estuary is ideally suited for planning and development of Ecotourism which is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

November 2008Showing 1-120 of 1201263 visitsAlbum by gladysclancyPhotos by Gladys

1 Welcome to Guilderton Located where the Moore River meets the Indian Ocean about 94 kms north of Perth.	2 Guilderton on the Moore River Estuary The town of Guilderton was gazetted on 30 November 1951. Originally known as 'Gabbadah' an Aboriginal term meaning "mouthful of water", the area has been used for recreation since the earliest days of white settlement in the Gingin district.	3 Looking towards the mouth of the Moore River One of the most pristine, yet fragile estuarine environments in the south west of Western Australia.
4 Northerly bank of the Moore River	5 Clean White Sands of Sandbar	6 Launching the Cruise Boat
7 Cruise Boat almost afloat	8 Boarding the Cruise Boat	9 South Bank of the Moore River View from Cruise Boat.
10 Heading towards the Sandbar	11 Sandbar at mouth of Moore River	12 Waterbirds enjoying the Shallows
13 Caves in the Limestone Cliffs on North Bank	14 Seagulls and Terns in Shallows	15 Boardwalk around base of Cliffs
16 Limestone Cliffs	17 The Indian Ocean beyond the Sandbar The ocean swell builds up the sandbar damming the river mouth in Spring and Summer.	18 The Sandbar
19 Hilltop Lookout on North Bank	20 The Town of Guilderton The strong affection which the population of the area felt for the Gabbadah district was reflected in the very enlightened and 'site-sensitive' design of the settlement with large areas of native vegetation preserved within the townsite.	21 Heading Upstream
22 Calm Waters of the Moore River	23 Sand Dunes on the Southern Side	24 Northern Side of Moore River
25 A Splash of Colour The bright Orange of the West Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda)makes a splash of colour on the hill side.	26 Natural Vegetation on Sand and Limestone	27 Little Pied Cormorants in Tree (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
28 Little Pied Cormorants on Rock (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)	29 Trio of Little Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)	30 Birds in the Trees ahead There have been positive sightings of over 110 species of birds in the Moore River area.
31 Australian Pelicans and Little Pied Cormorants	32 Birds enjoying the Sunshine	33 Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
34 Birds enjoying the Sunshine	35 Row of Little Black Cormorants on Left (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)	36 Little Black Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
37 Quindalup Dunes The Quindalup Dunes on the south of the river were too infertile for either pasture or crops, so it is fortunate that their rich bio-diversity has been spared from being cleared for agriculture.	38 Enjoying the Tranquility of the Quindalup Dunes	39 Re-vegetation on the North Bank All development has taken place on the north side of the estuary and this area has been re-vegetated to provide habitat for native birds and wildlife.
40 River Bank Vegetation Vegetation is of vital importance because it holds the sand together with its roots and reduces wind speed, and therefore erosion, with its branches.	41 Dune Vegetation on South Bank	42 Paperbarks and Riverbank Vegetation
43 Quindalup Dunes Known as "The Desert".	44 Long Hard Climb to Top of Sand Dune	45 Sandboarding A quick ride down the slope of the sand dune.
46 Resting at the Water's Edge	47 Riverbank Vegetation on North	48 Vegetation dotted with White Wildflowers
49 South Bank Dune Vegetation on the Right	50 North Bank Vegetation on the Left	51 Closer to North Bank Vegetation
52 Boardwalk and Fishing Platform Anglers have the choice of ocean or river fishing at Guilderton.	53 Fish Sculpture by Nick Compton Made during an Environmental Art Workshop held at Moore River.	54 Fish Sculpture by Nick Compton
55 Looking back to Quindalup Dunes	56 Northern River Bank	57 Further Upstream from Quindalup Dunes
58 Travelling Upstream	59 Remnant Tuart Trees (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) Only 6-7% of the original tuart forests still exist and Moore River is at about the northern limit of their range.	60 Tuart Trees beyond the Paperbarks
61 Habitat right to the Water's Edge	62 Re-vegetation with Eucalypts	63 Depleated Understorey Vegetation Landowners have allowed stock to graze right to water's edge resulting in loss of all understorey vegetation.
64 Depleated Understorey Vegetation Although the land adjoining the river is Crown Land, adjacent landowners have allowed stock to destroy the vegetation in this area.	65 Regrowth of Vegetation in Fenced Area	66 More Loss of Vegetation where Stock Roam
67 Unspoilt by Roaming Stock Compare the difference to previous photo.	68 Tuart Trees with Natural Understorey Vegetation Only 6-7% of the original Tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) forests still exist and Moore River is at about the northern limit of their range.	69 Healthy Trees further Upstream
70 River Island on the Left This island in the river provides safe nesting habitat for wildlife.	71 Grasstrees beneath the Tuart Trees on the Right	72 Riverbank Unspoilt by Roaming Stock
73 Circling around the Island in the Moore River Commencing the return journey.	74 Reeds on the Island give Safety to Waterbirds	75 Reeds and Paperbarks
76 Reeds and Paperbarks with tiny White Flowers	77 Natural Vegetation Mix	78 Returning to the Quindalup Dune Area
79 More Sandboarders as we return past the Dunes	80 Beach Spinifex and other Dune Vegetation	81 Boardwalk on North Riverbank
82 Map of the Moore River Scanned from travel brochure.	83 Limestone Monument at Guilderton	84 Windswept Tree beside BBQ Shelter
85 Mouth of the Moore River from Boardwalk	86 Path around the base of the Cliff	87 Moore River and Indian Ocean
88 Formations in the Limestone	89 Limestone Cliffs	90 Limestone Formations
91 Vegetation on the Limestone	92 Guilderton from the Boardwalk	93 Sandbar from the Boardwalk
94 The Boardwalk protects the Environment	95 Clinging to Life on the Rocks	96 Limestone Formations
97 Limestone Formations	98 View of the Sandbar The Moore River provides a safe swimming area for children while the ocean usually provides good waves for surfers.	99 End of the Boardwalk Sandy track continues around the Dune.
100 Sand Dune Vegetation	101 Wildflowers on the Sand Dunes Thick-leaved Fanflower (Scaevola crassifolia).	102 The Indian Ocean
103 View of Indian Ocean	104 Mouth of Moore River	105 Thick-leaved Fanflower (Scaevola crassifolia)
106 Returning to the Boardwalk	107 Passing Limestone Formations	108 Last Look at the Sandbar The sandbar at the river mouth is broken by both winter rains, and summer groundwater build-up which comes from Silver Creek (an estuary wetland) and underground flow.
109 Guilderton comes into View	110 Limestone on the River Bank	111 Clouds gathering over Guilderton
112 The Coach is waiting in the distance	113 Looking back along the Boardwalk	114 The Moore River
115 Returning along the Boardwalk	116 Moore River from the Boardwalk	117 Limestone Formations
118 Cliff Top Lookout above the Boardwalk	119 Time to leave the beautiful Moore River We must all fight to preserve this pristine, yet fragile estuarine environment so it does not succumb to the greed of developers and urban sprawl.	120 Goodbye Guilderton Pelicans