A local’s guide to Dwellingup

Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
hero media
Let a local show you around their town for an insider’s guide to all the best bits of Dwellingup.

In 2001, Peter and Monique Tippett made a tree change from the northern Perth suburbs with their two young kids. Settling in Dwellingup in the Darling Ranges to train as fine furniture designers/makers, they never looked back. Fast forward to 2017, when they bought a rundown commercial/residential building on the town’s main street. Casting an artistic eye (Monique is also a visual and sculptural artist), they transformed it into Lost Eden Creative: an art gallery, artist residency and bespoke short-stay accommodation, Gallery House.

Lost Eden Creatives Gallery House Interiors, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Have a relaxing stay at Lost Eden Creative’s Gallery House. (Image: Lost Eden Creative)

Showcasing a mix of established and emerging artists in curated monthly exhibitions, the dynamic exhibition space has become a focal point in the WA art scene. And as for the kids? You’ll find Pete and Mon’s daughter, Ebony, in the site’s side garden at Garden Eats, a food van in a horse float that serves up fresh vegan dishes and the best coffee in town. Here, they show us around town.

All about Dwellingup

Where exactly:

‘Where trails meet’, Dwellingup is a 90-minute drive south of Perth in the Murray River region of Western Australia and one of the nine towns the long-distance Bibbulmun Track passes through.

Population:

Approximately 400.

Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup, West Australia, Australia
Go on canoe adventures on the Murray River. (Image: Chad Gerber)

What’s it all about?

A charming old timber town flanked by forests of majestic jarrah trees, Dwellingup makes for a weekend country break ripe with outdoor adventures, heritage excursions, fresh local produce and nature-inspired creativity. Claiming the title of Western Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town in the 2021 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards, its allures are many: head to the 55,000-hectare Lane Poole Reserve for bushwalks and mountain bike trails through forested valleys and canoe adventures on the Murray River (‘dwellingupp’ is a Noongar word meaning ‘place near water’). And take a scenic trip back in time with the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway on one of three historical trains that run along former timber-industry tracks, before sampling the fruits of local orchards, checking out galleries and soaking in some country hospitality.

Mountain biking through the forest trails of Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Ride a mountain bike through forested valleys. (Image: Tourism WA)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Pete & Mon’s Perfect Itinerary:

8:30 am – Garden leave

Rise and shine at Gallery House in the centre of town. Step out the door and grab a coffee at Garden Eats in the gallery garden.

Lost Eden Creative, Garden Eats, Outside Dining, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Try fresh vegan dishes at Garden Eats. (Image: Lost Eden Creative)

9:00 am – Get pumped

Take a stroll through town and drop into Dwellingup Silver to browse its jewellery inspired by nature on your way to the new Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre. Let the kids loose on the bicycle pump track while you have a bite of brekkie at Waypoints Cafe.

10:00 am – Into the Forest

Hire a canoe or a mountain bike at Dwellingup Adventures next to the info centre and head down to Lane Poole Reserve and breathe in the forest air on the Murray River or get your heart racing on the world-class Murray Valley downhill trails; there’s one for everyone.

Canoeing the Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Hire a canoe and explore the iconic Lane Poole Reserve. (Image: Tourism WA)

12:30 pm – Gallery Graze

Back in Dwellingup, and via a stop at Crossroads Gallery, fuel up and feel good at Garden Eats beside the Lost Eden Creative Art Gallery. Ebony at Garden Eats will serve you the tastiest and healthiest food in town from her cute, refurbished horse float. Then exercise your mind in the gallery space, which holds monthly exhibitions by established and emerging contemporary West Australian artists.

Ebony at Garden Eats, Lost Eden Creative, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Ebony at Garden Eats will serve you the tastiest and healthiest food in town. (Image: Lost Eden Creative)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

2:00 pm – All Aboard

Take a trip on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway’s Steam Ranger, a two-hour journey through the forested hills outside Dwellingup.

Tourist Railway's Steam Ranger, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Take a trip on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway’s Steam Ranger.

4:00 pm – Cider and sunset

Head to Wine Tree Cidery on Holyoake Road. Enjoy a cheese board and farm-made cider on the timber verandah overlooking the orchard as the sun gets ready to set.

4pm drinks with friends, Wine Tree Cidery, Dwellingup, WA, Australia
Enjoy a cheese board and farm-made cider with friends. (Image: Chad Gerber)

6:00 pm – Country hospitality

It’s the Dwellingup Hotel for dinner. Relax in the cosy country pub atmosphere. Meet some locals and/or fellow visitors to town. You better be hungry; the meals are hearty and generous.

8:00 pm – Day’s end

A minute’s stroll from the pub and you’re back at Gallery House. The outside fire pit deck is perfect for toasting marshmallows while talking about the day and planning for tomorrow, and all the things you didn’t get to do on this one fine day.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Australian Traveller

Australian Traveller

View profile and articles
Cable Beach Club Resort broome ocean pool
Broome

Why this luxurious Broome resort is the ultimate stay

With its prime position on one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, lush tropical surrounds and exceptional dining, wellness and leisure experiences, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the perfect base for exploring the spectacular Kimberley region

Read more
Kalbarri Skywalk, WA
WA

WA’s Top Tourism Town for 2026 is a hidden Kimberley gem

From country communities to coastal favourites, these destinations have been crowned WA’s top dogs.

Read more
Cottesloe Beach
Perth

Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach readies for $30 million redevelopment

Perth’s Cottesloe foreshore redevelopment project has been given the green light after securing $15 million in funding.

Read more
Kimberley Spirit floating hotel
Kimberley

This ‘floatel’ is offering a new way to sleep on water in the Kimberley

An off-grid ‘floatel’ is moored beside some of Kununurra’s most majestic - and accessible - rock formations.

Read more
hero media

Theatre, art and music: Our top picks from this year’s Perth Festival lineup

Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy

    Lynn Gail Lynn Gail
    Continue
    Blend the addictive energy of dance, creative cinematic movies, captivating theatre, and energising music during Perth Festival.

    Perth Festival has extraordinary roots. Born as a summer community experiment back in 1953, the brainchild of Professor Fred Alexander, it’s now Australia’s longest-running international art-based festival. From its first event at University of Western Australia, it now spans across Noongar Boodjar country (Perth City) bringing worldclass performances into the hearts of ardent festivalgoers. Hundreds of curtain calls, including numerous free events, are set to linger and leave a lasting impression on those who seek thrills that fill life’s in-between spaces. Featuring unmissable highlights from 6th February to 1st March, we’ve done the legwork for you – here’s what’s on, and where:

    1. East Perth Power Station

    East Perth Power Station during Perth Festival
    See East Perth Power Station come alive. (Image: Jessica Wyld Photography)

    Abandoned, run-down and shutdown in 1981, East Perth Power Station, located on the banks of the stunning Swan River, was reinvented in 2025 as an entertainment venue for the Perth Festival. Pack a picnic, bring the family and kick back under paperbark trees at Casa Musica – a free event featuring a melting pot of world-class musicians from Australian shores and around the globe. The diversity will have you bopping until the final encore.

    A decade after David Bowie’s passing, his powerful music lives on in the electrifying show, Rebel Rebel. Powerhouse vocalists join Perth Symphony Orchestra for one incredible night showcasing the singer-songwriter’s iconic hits. Illuminate your world through the eyes of First Nation Noongar artist, Lance Chadd Tjyllyungoo in a free event. His distinctive paintings and Dreamtime stories decorate the Power Station’s walls depicting spiritual beliefs. Or settle in to watch British indie pop singer-songwriter, Nilüfer Yanya.

    2. St Mary’s Cathedral

    Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth
    Take in Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth. (Image: Anja Schutz)

    Step into the lofty ceilings of Perth’s grandest cathedral, St Mary’s, and soak up choral harmonies. Dating back to 1865, the stained-glass reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper are a talking point, add talented maestros, and the stage is set to enthral.

    The international line-up is impressive. Master Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes takes to the stage with exquisite lyrical compositions from his native land. Åkervinda, an award winning Swedish quartet, weave stories of love, loss, and resilience into harmonious Nordic folk songs. The USA Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth, break all the rules. Hear their voices echo through the arched vaulted ceilings.

    3. Lotterywest Films

    guests at Lotterywest Films as part of Perth Festival
    Discover the Lotterywest Films program. (Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy)

    One of the festivals longest-running favourites, Lotterywest Films run a rich tapestry of cinematic features showing until 29th of March. Pack a picnic, cushions, popcorn and pop a cork under a Somerville Pine Tree as the sun sets and screenings begin. Cinema lovers, choose your poison from thrillers, deep-dive documentaries, tearjerkers, raunchy rom-coms and side-splitting comedies. The program is fantastically full, the filmmakers the best in the business, and the outdoor setting, unequalled.

    4. The Embassy

    guests at The EMbassy as part of Perth Festival
    Step into the old world glitz of The Embassy. (Image: Franz Bato)

    Modelled on Perth’s historic Embassy Ballroom, a devilish dance venue that operated in the 1900s, The Embassy in Perth Town Hall, serves sophistication in its A-list shows. Set your sequins a’sparkle at the, What’s TINA Got to Do With It extravaganza where guest artists play tribute as they belt out the glitzy star’s hits. The returning act, Ali Bodycoat & The Embassy Big Band, will have you jiving as you take to the dance floor reimagining a bygone era. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Black-bearded drag sensation, La Gateau Chocolat puts the raw in cacao. World-renowned for his feisty range of storied songs, he reveals the inner-man come artist through his deliciously sweet and intimate act.

    5. Unusual locations

    still from The Trial theatre
    Watch a star-studded cast in The Trial. (Image: Cole Baxter)

    We’ve all heard of the hit show, The Office, but a spinetingling operatic thriller acted out in disused office space? Philip Glass’ nail-biter, The Trial, has a star-studded line-up. Together they deliver a dramatic ordeal showcasing Oscar-winner Christopher Hampton’s libretto; the suspense lingers after the final bow.

    Sit back under starry skies and soak up dynamic dance at Ballet at the Quarry: Incandescence.  Four exclusive classical and contemporary acts illuminate the amphitheatre’s stage as Perth City twinkles at nightfall. Mystery excites the mind. West Australian Opera returns again with another ‘secret opera’. Be led from an undisclosed meeting point and let the music lead to the secret.

    6. A View From A Bridge

    A View From A Bridge special event at Perth Festival
    Share your innermost thoughts at A View From A Bridge.

    Free, connecting strangers, and inclusive to everyone, artist, Joe Bloom’s collaborative project, A View From A Bridge has one prop – an old red telephone. Talk into the receiver, share thoughts, innermost feelings, memories, hopes and dreams as Bloom captures you from afar. The freedom to speak through the telephone movement has a worldwide following. A range of clips will be shown online.

    What else to do in Perth

    Shadow Wine Bar in perth
    Taste the best of Perth at eateries like Shadow Wine Bar.

    Endless blue skies crown Perth during February, making it the perfect time to explore Australia’s most western capital city. The city might be compact, but it packs a punch when it comes to what’s on. Perth Cultural Centre houses the city’s art-scene venues: Western Australian Art Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).

    After exploring the city’s alleyways, hidden corners, and main hub, savour worldclass food in Perth’s vibrant eateries. Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes can be found throughout; the leisurely eat-and-drink scene is literally mouthwatering, so book extra nights.

    Start planing your 2026 trip to Perth Festival at perthfestival.com.au.