Understory Art & Nature Trail

Understory Art & Nature Trail Discover artworks scattered like treasure along this nationally unique 1.2km forest walk.

Heading to the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival this April?Running from Saturday 18 April to Sunday 26 April...
18/03/2026

Heading to the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival this April?

Running from Saturday 18 April to Sunday 26 April 2026, the festival invites you to discover the nature, culture and heritage that has shaped our region with engaging historic tours, family-friendly activities, workshops, heritage trails, demonstrations and more.

While you’re in the region, make a day of it atSouthern Forest Arts. Wander the Understory Art & Nature Trail, explore the Garden Gallery, or step inside the Painted Tree Gallery and soak up even more local stories, creativity and connection to place.

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Small becomes large, and subtle becomes striking...Sundew by Nat Williamson (Blue Mountains, NSW) takes inspiration from...
16/03/2026

Small becomes large, and subtle becomes striking...

Sundew by Nat Williamson (Blue Mountains, NSW) takes inspiration from the delicate native sundew flower, a tiny plant often overlooked beneath our feet. Commissioned in 2006 and crafted from metal pipe, steel rod, laser-cut steel, glass nuggets and gloss enamel paint, the sculpture plays with scale, inviting us to see the miniature wonders of the forest in a whole new way.

By magnifying this quiet beauty, Sundew reminds us to slow down and notice what’s easily missed.

Discover this piece, and more than 70 other sculptures, along the Understory Art & Nature Trail. And if you’re visiting between Wednesday and Saturday, stop by the Understory Community Café, open 9am–2pm, for a well earned cuppa or sweet treat after your walk.

📷 Frances Andrijich Photographer

We’ve been collecting some lovely comments from visitors and locals at the Understory Community Café ☕️🌿One of our favou...
15/03/2026

We’ve been collecting some lovely comments from visitors and locals at the Understory Community Café ☕️🌿

One of our favourite parts of running the café is meeting people from all over, locals, travellers, and visitors exploring the Understory Arts & Nature Trail.

Here are a few lovely comments shared with us during their visit.

If you're passing through Northcliffe, feel free to stop by for a coffee and say hello. We'd love to hear what you think about the café and the trail.

Open Wednesday to Saturday, 9am – 2pm
📍 Northcliffe Visitor Centre

Meet Peter Hill, a creative force whose work moves effortlessly between songwriting, cartooning and visual art. Peter’s ...
11/03/2026

Meet Peter Hill, a creative force whose work moves effortlessly between songwriting, cartooning and visual art. Peter’s practice resists neat labels, driven instead by curiosity, honesty and deep connection to place.

Over the past decade, he’s been exploring how the emotional rawness of his songwriting can translate into visual form. Much of his work is shaped by the natural world of his hometown, Northcliffe, where landscape and creativity are inseparable.

His sculpture Spotlight, commissioned in 2023 and one of several works by Peter here at Understory Art & Nature Trail, acts as a quiet memory marker for Northcliffe’s contemporary dance performance The Stars Descend (2023). A fabric spotlight rests on one of nature’s own artworks...

Tiny wonders, big imagination 🕷️☕️Peacock Spider Comes to Tea by WA artist Megan Evans (commissioned 2023) is a delightf...
09/03/2026

Tiny wonders, big imagination 🕷️☕️

Peacock Spider Comes to Tea by WA artist Megan Evans (commissioned 2023) is a delightful and unexpected treasure along the Understory Art & Nature Trail. This exquisite hand-painted china tea set celebrates the dazzling peacock spiders of the Southern Forests, miniature creatures that rumble and romp through the leaf litter, often unnoticed by us.

Featuring 12 species local to the South West, the work is both whimsical and precise, showcasing Megan’s mastery of china painting while inviting us to look closer at the small, extraordinary lives beneath our feet.

Born in Pemberton and raised in Manjimup, Megan has long held a deep connection to the Southern Forests, making this piece a beautiful tribute to the region and its hidden marvels.

Keep your eyes peeled... you never know what tiny wonders you might discover on the trail.

A big thank you to recent visitor Wendy for sharing this beautiful snap from her February visit.Captured in the frame ar...
05/03/2026

A big thank you to recent visitor Wendy for sharing this beautiful snap from her February visit.

Captured in the frame are a couple of sneaky quokkas from Quorum of Quokkas and the much-loved Vintage Bush Truck... two favourites along the Understory Art & Nature Trail.

Wendy shared this about her visit:

“Really worthwhile and value for money. Lovely gift items at the visitor centre with very friendly staff and warm welcome. Fantastic walk in true Australian bush. A really close look at fauna and artwork. A must see in this area in my opinion.”

Thanks so much for the kind words and for visiting, Wendy. We’re so glad you enjoyed your time on the trail.

New faces, same warm welcome at Understory Community Café ☕️We’re delighted to welcome two new team members to the Under...
04/03/2026

New faces, same warm welcome at Understory Community Café ☕️

We’re delighted to welcome two new team members to the Understory Community Café! Pictured here this morning with one of our lovely regulars, Catrin Iversen, they’re already settling in and sharing plenty of smiles with our visitors.

Our café is all about good coffee, friendly faces and community connection, and we’re excited to have them as part of the team.

Whether you’re in Northcliffe or just passing through and in need of a coffee break, come say hello and grab a coffee with us.

📍 Understory Community Café, Northcliffe Visitor Centre & Public Library
🕘 Open Wednesday – Saturday
☕️ 9am – 2pm

Crisp mornings, soft golden light through the karri canopy, and the forest shifting into a new season... autumn is a bea...
01/03/2026

Crisp mornings, soft golden light through the karri canopy, and the forest shifting into a new season... autumn is a beautiful time to visit .

Wander the 1.2km Understory Art & Nature Trail and discover more than 70 sculptures nestled among towering trees and coastal heath. Then warm up with a freshly brewed coffee and a sweet treat at the Understory Community Café, open Wednesday to Saturday, 9am–2pm.

Art, nature and a warm cuppa - the perfect autumn day out in the Southern Forests & Valleys.

📍 Northcliffe Visitor Centre & Public Library
🕘 Trail open daily | Community Café open Wed–Sat 9am–2pm
📸 Sean Scott Photography

If you're heading to the Southern Forest & Valleys this long weekend, don't forget to call in to the Painted Tree Galler...
27/02/2026

If you're heading to the Southern Forest & Valleys this long weekend, don't forget to call in to the Painted Tree Gallery to see the touring exhibition 'Radical Futures: Fertile Ground'.

One of 13 WA Regional Arts Triennial exhibitions, Fertile Ground explores the ways rural communities’ might change their relationship with bushfire, prescribed burning and the land we live upon; now, and in the future.

Featuring works by Great Southern and South Western Australian artists:
- Freya Joy Parr (Denmark)
- Helen Seiver (Stirling Estate)
- Jo Wassell (Albany)
- Peter Hill (Northcliffe)
- Rachel Falls-Williams (Denmark)
- Ruth Maddren (Denmark)
- Samala Ghosh (Denmark)
- Ned Reilly (Margaret River)
- Sophie Brennan (Margaret River)
- Lydon Kidman (Margaret River)

Curated by Saira Ellen K. Spencer (Denmark)

The exhibition is open daily 9am-3pm and runs until Sunday March 29

The original version of this exhibition was developed by Denmark Arts and exhibited at the Albany Town Hall thanks to the support of the City of Albany. Additional artists included Carly Le Cerf and Jean-Michel Maujean

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A lovely visit from Julie all the way from Northam 🌿“The walk was just beautiful and moving. My favourite part was the f...
27/02/2026

A lovely visit from Julie all the way from Northam 🌿

“The walk was just beautiful and moving. My favourite part was the faces carved into the trees.”

And after her wander on the trail? A stop at the Understory Community Café:
“The brownie is better than my friend who is a chef.”

High praise indeed! Thanks for visiting, Julie. We’re so glad you enjoyed both the artworks and a sweet treat along the way.

Understory Art & Nature Trail is open all long weekend, with the Community Café open Saturday, 9am–2pm (café closed Sunday 1 and Monday 2 March)

Heading to the Southern Forests & Valleys this long weekend? The Understory Art & Nature Trail is open all weekend makin...
26/02/2026

Heading to the Southern Forests & Valleys this long weekend? The Understory Art & Nature Trail is open all weekend making it the perfect for a forest wander, a breath of fresh air and a little creative inspiration.

The Community Café will be open Saturday 28 February, so you can grab a cuppa before or after your wander. Please note the café will be closed Sunday 1 and Monday 2 March.

We’re open daily on the trail, come and explore with us.

📸 Sean Scott Photography

Address

PO Box 395, Southern Forest Arts
Northcliffe, WA
6262

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61418754704

Website

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