Trails WA is proud to announce it has received a Lotterywest grant of $499,635 to support the development of an innovative mobile application that will transform the way Western Australians and visitors explore the state’s world-class trails.
Made possible by Lotterywest and proudly supported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, this app helps close the digital gap - connecting community, culture and the outdoors in one seamless experience.
Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith said Lotterywest is proud to support Trails WA to enrich trail experiences for Western Australians and visitors to WA. “This app will give users a deeper understanding of the Aboriginal heritage, natural history and ecosystems within the places they explore,” Mr Smith said. “Improving sustainability and access to trails across WA means more West Aussies can discover and enjoy the incredible places across our State.”
This purpose-built app will feature curated trail content supported by state government, tourism and community partners; offering a user-friendly, safety-conscious, environmentally responsible and content-rich digital companion for all types of trail users across the state of Western Australia.
“This is more than a trail-finding app - it’s a platform for learning, connecting and celebrating WA’s landscapes, stories and local businesses,” said Suzanne Hillier, Chairperson of Trails WA. “It’s designed to inspire people to get outdoors more often, stay longer and explore more deeply.”
The mobile app will be available on both iOS and Android, and will offer:
- Real-time GPS trail navigation and safety alerts
- Offline access to sanctioned maps across more than 1,000 official trails
- Rich storytelling including Aboriginal cultural knowledge, dark sky highlights, geology and biodiversity
- Trail accessibility filters developed in consultation with WA disability advocates
- Local discovery tools, linking users to nearby businesses, health services and events
Designed in partnership with digital agency Humaan and to be co-designed with Traditional Owners, land managers, and environmental specialists, the app ensures content is accurate, inclusive and respectful.
Supporting WA’s Trail Towns and our Visitor Economy
This initiative aligns with the WA Government’s strategic focus on Outdoor Adventure Tourism and encourages more Western Australians to discover trails in their own backyards. By improving the discoverability and accessibility of trail experiences, especially in regional areas, the app helps unlock the full value of recent public investment - driving local visitation, supporting small businesses and strengthening Trail Towns as vibrant visitor destinations.
Connecting Community, Culture and Country
With content designed to engage all kinds of trail users - from walkers and mountain bikers to stargazers, flora enthusiasts and those with accessibility needs - the app is a bold step toward ensuring WA’s trails are as welcoming as they are wild. Ms Hillier says, “This app will help trail users understand the land beneath their feet and the stories that have walked it before them.”
Launch Timeline
The mobile app is currently in development, with a public launch scheduled for mid 2026. A ministerial announcement and industry event will be held to mark the release.
Trails WA’s 150,000-strong digital community will be among the first to explore and test the new platform through a campaign supported by partners across government, tourism, and the trails sector.
- Ends -
Hashtags
@TrailsWA #TrailsWA @Lotterywest #Lotterywest #ExploreParksWA
For media enquiries, images or interviews, please contact:
Agata Sleeman
Chief Executive Officer, Trails WA
[email protected]
0424 805 577
CLICK HERE for Image gallery By utilising these images, you agree to the terms and conditions which can be found here: https://trailswa.com.au/terms-and-conditions-of-image-use-images-supplied-from-trails-wa
About Trails WA Inc.:
Trails WA is the marketing and advocacy association for trails in Western Australia. We aim to encourage Western Australians and visitors to get out onto trails and ‘find themselves in amazing places!’. We are a central source of information regarding all things trails including events, news and planning.
As a values-led, not-for-profit organisation we aim to enrich people’s trails experiences by making it simple for all trail users to find and experience all types of trails, safely and sustainably.
Trails WA is supported by Lotterywest, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
