The new trail reinventing WA as a mountain biking hotspot

Dwellingup’s new mountain bike network has cemented its spot among the top outdoor destinations in Australia.

Known among locals as a resplendent natural paradise, Dwellingup in Western Australia’s Darling Range is quietly becoming a magnet for outdoor thrill seekers – and its new mountain bike trail is only adding to the buzz.

Where is it?

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia — Your next outdoor adventure awaits in the regional town of Dwellingup. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Just over an hour’s drive from Perth, the charming town of Dwellingup is the perfect destination for lovers of nature and adventure. One of only two accredited Trail Towns in Western Australia , this little pocket of paradise is home to everything from scenic hiking tracks and mountain biking trails to pristine waterways and wild swimming holes.

The newest addition to this already epic line-up is the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails , a 68-kilometre network that takes in the region’s top highlights. With stage two of construction completed earlier this month, the trail is now officially open to the public and has since received a flurry of visitors.

“It’s a world-class facility here. We are genuinely spoilt for trails," says Tony Tucknott, Dwellingup 100 course director. “The DBCA [Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions] has done a fantastic job. The trail network that’s out here is so enjoyable, so flowy, so fast."

It’s all part of Dwellingup Adventure Trails, a multimillion-dollar project aimed at establishing the region as a leading trails destination. Since its launch three years ago, multiple tracks across Dwellingup have been built under the initiative.

The Turner Hill Mountain Bike Trail and Marrinup Circuit have also received extensive upgrades, with an additional $1.7 million invested into ongoing trail support and infrastructure development.

What to expect

The interconnected Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails span 68 kilometres, weaving through jarrah, marri and wandoo forests, along the winding Murray River and past some of the region’s best natural attractions.

Many trace sections of Lane Poole Reserve, a 55,000-hectare mecca known for its abundance of flora and fauna. Bikers are encouraged to look out for kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, echidnas, woylies and even quokkas.

Quokka in Western Australia — Keep an eye out for friendly quokkas along the way. (Image: Getty/Philipp Boettcher)

While mountain biking may have a reputation for being rough and rugged, the rise of mountain biking tourism has seen the sport become more accessible. Similar to the newly opened Great Southern Trails in NSW, the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails welcome bikers of all abilities, with a range of tracks that vary in length and difficulty.

Not sure where to start? Beginners should check out the Emu Run, a gentle 1.6-kilometre trail that takes less than an hour to complete. For something a little more challenging, try the BFG trail, a 2.5-kilometre downhill track that detours off longer tracks, Blaze and Solitary.

Marrinup Circuit, Turner Hill and Go Loco are perfect for more experienced mountain bikers. At eight, 11 and 18 kilometres in length respectively, they take up to three hours to complete. The best part? A number of tracks connect to the iconic Munda Biddi Trail , a multi-day adventure stretching over 1000 kilometres between Mundaring and Albany.

But that’s not all…

Not a huge fan of mountain biking? No stress – the Dwellingup Adventure Trails are as diverse as their surrounds.

“As well as mountain biking, there’s a fantastic network of walks. Some new ones, but also existing trails that we’ve improved. And then you’ve got the kayak and canoe trails on the river, so there really is something for everyone," says Rod Annear of WA’s Parks and Wildlife Service.

You’d be remiss not to bring your hiking boots and hit one of the bushwalks, from the 1.3-kilometre Marrinup Falls Walk Trail to the newly upgraded King Jarrah Walk Trail. Or explore Lane Poole Reserve on horseback along the 17-kilometre Les Couzens Bridle Trail.

If you’d rather have an on-water adventure, take to the Murray on a kayak or canoe trail. Along the way, there are plenty of spots to stop for a picnic or a dip in the water, as well as campgrounds for multi-day adventurers with new canoe launch facilities at the Yarragil and Stringers sites.

Keen to explore the Dwellingup Adventure Trails? The town’s visitor centre is the ultimate one-stop shop, where friendly locals are full of expert advice at the information desk. You’ll also find interactive maps, touch-screen displays and a VR preview of the trails to ensure you’re fully prepared before heading off.

The surrounding precinct has everything you need pre- and post-adventure, from a practice track and tool tree to showers and toilets. There’s also a cafe, locker room, kiosk, laundromat and gift shop, as well as on-site parking.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .