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

Understory Art & Nature Trail

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Northcliffe, WA
Understory Art & Nature Trail

Discover artworks scattered like treasure along this nationally unique 1.2km forest walk.

31/05/2026

Understory Art & Nature Trail is closed today - and most likely tomorrow - due to high winds. Visitor safety is paramount.

27/05/2026

We are still buzzing from Saturday’s launch of our brand new Garden Gallery at the Northcliffe Visitor Centre & Public Library

We had a special guest travel all the way from the in Canberra. Curator Leanne Santoro joined us to officially inaugurate an incredible new resident of our forest: Lisa Roet's - Orangutan Foot. 🦍👣

This striking piece will live at the entrance to our iconic Understory trail, a symbol of the world-class art we are lucky enough to have right here in our own backyard. This trail belongs to all of us. Whether you’re popping over from Quinninup, driving down from Manjimup or Pemberton, or heading inland from Windy Harbour, this is your artistic sanctuary to explore, enjoy, and take pride in. Come wander the new Garden Gallery, find the Orangutan Foot and connect with nature through our local regional artists.

Here's a little sneak peak with Leanne and Southern Forest Arts- Artistic Director Sinclair giving us a little tour. There are dozens more sculptures to explore along the trail, which is usually fun for all ages. So bring the family along for a creative adventure.

13/05/2026

Look what dropped into its new 'forever home' in our Understory Garden Gallery on Monday - 'Manscape' by artist, Tony Davis (pictured).

Created from 150kgs of jarrah and steel, it's form is inspired by mesa and butte eroded land formations found in the North of the state Kimberley region and Tony's continued exploration of "human shelters" throughout history. It also is similar to the dome shaped mia-mia shelter structures used in by Australia's First Nations peoples.

Manscape was first exhibited on Cottesloe beach as part of the Sculpture By The Sea in 2016.

Tony has been extremely generous in 'gifting' this work to Southern Forest Arts for the enjoyment of Northcliffe's residents and visitors.

Tony's work is one of several pieces to be formally launched next Saturday at 2pm as part of the garden's official opening event.

See more of Tony's work: www.tonydavisart.com

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.

📸

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

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

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...

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.

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.

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

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

http://understory.com.au/

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