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The Captain Fawcett 4WD Track within Lane Poole Reserve is currently impassable. The track will remain closed for winter.

For more information, please check Park Alerts.

Captain Fawcett Track, Dwellingup to Quindanning

Pindjarup & Wiilman Noongar Country

4WD
Trail difficulty
Moderate
Trail difficulty

Low Range 4WD vehicles required with standard clearance. 4WD experience or training required.

  • Length 40km
  • Est. time 1-3 hours
Today

11°C

18°

10°

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This 40km 4WD track begins at Dawn Creek Road and finishes at Harvey-Quindanning Road, just west of the historic Quindanning Hotel. From this point, drivers can continue east to the hotel or head west toward Harvey.

Currently rated ‘difficult’, the track is best suited to medium-high clearance vehicles equipped with dual range and all-terrain tyres. It is recommended for drivers with solid 4WD experience or training, travelling in groups. The track is open for day use only.

Much of the route follows old rail embankments once used to transport timber from the surrounding forests, adding a strong historical element to the journey. There are several picnic spots along the way, though no camping facilities are provided.

While not designated one-way, the track is recommended to be driven north to south and is wide enough in sections to allow cautious passing.

The track has been adopted and maintained by the Armadale Four-Wheel Drive Club.

This trail is part of the following destinations:

Visit Dwellingup

Dwellingup is an invigorating haven for the wild at heart. Just over an hour from Perth, this forest-framed town is surrounded by fresh air, flowing rivers and endless green spaces....

Dwellingup Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9538 0000

Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre

(08) 9538 1108

National Parks

Other Links

  • Armadale 4WD Club

    A family orientated 4WD club that runs Trips and Activities throughout the year. Club members have adopted the Captain Fawcett Track.

  • Western Shield Baiting Locations

    View the 1080 poison risk areas in Western Australia.

  • Destination Perth

    Comprehensive information on the Perth region including destinations, things to see and do, accommodation and tours.


Downloads

Flora and Fauna Statistics

500+
Plant species
120+
Bird species
20+
Mammal species

Lane Poole Reserve is a 55,000-hectare conservation area near Dwellingup, Western Australia. It protects the largest remaining block of the northern Jarrah Forest, acting as a crucial sanctuary for approximately 500 native plant species and over 100 native wildlife species. 

The reserve's plant life is defined by its changing elevations, running from deep river valleys to high forest canopies. The forest is dominated by Jarrah and Marri trees. You will also spot Yarri (WA Blackbutt) in the lush valleys and Wandoo woodlands stretching across the drier eastern ridges. Bull Banksia, Sheoak, and the uniquely named Snottygobble are common understorey trees. In spring, the forest comes alive with colour, including orchids, grevilleas and bright acacias.

The dense swamp thickets hide a rare mainland population of the Quokka. Look closely in the undergrowth at dawn or dusk to spot the elusive Chuditch (Western Quoll), the Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong), and the Western Ringtail Possum. A haven for birdwatchers, the reserve hosts over 120 bird species, inlcuding splendid fairy-wrens, red-tailed black cockatoos, grey fantails, and the elusive noisy scrub-bird. The Murray River weaves through the reserve, supporting native freshwater species like marron (freshwater crayfish), Western Pygmy Perch, as well as introduced species like rainbow trout.


Keep an eye out for these species:

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus (Calyptorhynchus) banksii

Animalia: Aves

Scarlet Robin

Petroica (Petroica) boodang

Animalia: Aves

Western Splendid Fairy-wren

Malurus (Malurus) splendens splendens

Animalia: Aves

South-western Spotted Scrubwren

Sericornis (Sericornis) frontalis maculatus

Animalia: Aves

Short-beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Animalia: Mammalia

Black-faced Kangaroo

Macropus fuliginosus melanops

Animalia: Mammalia

Slender Tree Frog

Litoria adelaidensis

Animalia: Amphibia

Silky Blue Orchid

Cyanicula sericea

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Common Clematis

Clematis pubescens

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Grasstree

Xanthorrhoea preissii

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Snottygobble

Persoonia elliptica

Plantae: Equisetopsida

River Banksia

Banksia seminuda

Plantae: Equisetopsida

Expand your trip Browse and book with great businesses nearby.

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Waypoints Cafe

Dwellingup

Waypoints Café serves tasty, seasonal food and drinks to nourish the active and adventurous. Overlooking the skate park, pump track, Hotham Valley train and shaded lawn you won't ever need to leave!

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Be trail ready

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Length

40 kilometres

Trail Access

Nanga Brook, 120km from Perth (2WD). The track itself is 4WD.

Trail Start

Dawn Creek Rd, Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup. 120km (1.5hours) south of Perth.

Get directions

Trail End

Harevy-Quindanning Road. From there, you can continue east to Quindanning Hotel or west to Harvey.

Get directions

When to go

Spring, Summer & Autumn. Often closed during Winter.

What’s the weather like?

4WD

More Difficult

Low Range 4WD vehicles required with standard clearance. 4WD experience or training required.

What To Pack

Hazards & Warnings

Keeping your dog safe. Dogs are allowed in the recreation area of Lane Poole Reserve but must be kept in control and on a leash at all times. The department conducts baiting with 1080 poison as part of its Western Shield animal conservation program in Lane Poole Reserve.

Prohibited items

No fires 

Facilities

  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
More tips for being Trail Ready

Trail information updated
13th July 2026

Today Jul 13, 1:30am

11°C

Feels like 10°C

Max 18°

Min 10°

Precipitation: 0%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 3.21km/h E

8-day forecast

Mon

18°

10°

Tue

20°

9°

Wed

21°

17°

Thu

20°

18°

Fri

19°

17°

Sat

17°

15°

Sun

16°

15°

Mon

16°

14°

Weather data provided by:

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4 trail goers have rated this trail as 3.5 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Sue van Deuren

Reviewed 8 Jul 2019, 12:22pm

Did this trail yesterday, not a lot of water around, was pretty easy the whole way, definitely needs a bit of clearance in some areas
Peter Ruecroft

Reviewed 18 Feb 2018, 11:12am

Does anyone know if the bridge has been repaired on the Fawcett track yet?
Pete E

Reviewed 5 Oct 2017, 6:28pm

Here's some more links...
PDF Information map... https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/modjula-ap-southeast-2/dwellingupwa/1MDxkoMW68E.pdf
Website... https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/fawcett-4wd-track
Website... http://www.dwellingupwa.com.au/maps-trails/captain-fawcett-4wd-track
Forum... http://4x4earth.com/forum/index.php?threads/captain-fawcett-track-w-a-after-rain.30957/
Profile photo for Marco Zecca
Marco Zecca

Reviewed 20 Nov 2016, 11:53am

Very nice trail, done in November, i.e. in dry conditions.
The first 36 km are the real track, then just gravel road. Very nice sections in the forest next to the Murray River with a few spots where stop and enjoy the landscape.
Not too challenging when mud is not there, just need a bit of clearance (not for AWD vehicles).
Definitely worth to drive in convoy between May and September.

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