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Darkan Heritage Walk Trail Darkan Heritage Walk Trail

Urban Walk

(+1)
Bush Walk,
 in Golden Outback

  • 1-3 hours
  • 3 km

This heritage trail takes you around the Darkan town site, pointing out various buildings and locations that are significant to the local community and the town's history. The trail starts and finishes in the Rail Reserve in the middle of the town. It is a 3km loop, although you can opt to take a shortcut to make it a shorter 1.5km walk.

Darkan Heritage Trail Head
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The original Darkan Heritage Trail was developed in 1988 as an Australian Bicentennial Project. In 2024, the trail was rerouted, and new interpretive signage was developed to tell the town's story.

The area was earliest occupied by the Noongar Wilman people, and early farmers moved into the district in the 1850s—1860s.

The trail consists of 16 signs highlighting the area's heritage. It includes a walk along Nangip Creek and part of the Collie-Darkan Rail Trail. It shows the town's development from a small agricultural settlement to a rail town in the early 1900s before becoming a major wool production area. The district has a reputation as the 'Blue Wool' area of WA.

Shire of West Arthur

(08) 9736 2400

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Be trail ready for Darkan Heritage Walk Trail

Bring your own water, hat and walking shoes.

Time / Duration

1 hour

Length

3 km loop. Shorter walk is 1.5 km loop.

Trail Start

Information Bay, Coalfields Road, Darkan. 2.5 hours southeast of Perth.

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Trail End

Information Bay, Coalfields Road, Darkan. 2.5 hours southeast of Perth.

Additional information

Most of the trail follows local footpaths within the town site; however, about 1 km of the full loop is on gravel along Nangip Creek and the Collie-Darkan Rail Trail.

Hazards & Warnings

Weather can be extremely hot in the summer months (December - February) and during the middle of the day, take water, hat and sunscreen.

Safety

Sections of the trail are dual-use. Please be courteous to other users and always give way to those on horseback (Collie-Darkan Rail Trail section).

Biodiversity

Along the Nangip Creek section of the trail, look for different plants and animals. These include the Rufous Whistler, Singing Honeyeater, Western Minnow, and Koonacs.

Facilities

Most of the facilities are located within the Railway Reserve. These include a shaded BBQ area, children's playgrounds with trampolines, a pump track, and more.

Dogs are permitted but must be on-leash at all times.

The short loop is wheelchair accessible.

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Cafe
  • Car Park
  • Child Activities
  • Dog Friendly
  • All accessible parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area
  • All accessible toilet facilities
  • Accessible picnic facilities
  • Accessible BBQ facilities

Best time of year

The trail is at its best in early spring (August-September); however, it has something to offer all year round. If visiting in Summer (December-February) remember to wear a hat and bring water.

Trail Access

Darkan is situated on the Coalfields Highway, 204 kilometres from Perth. It can be reached by road along Albany Highway, via Williams or Arthur River, and is a comfortable 2 ½ hour drive from Perth. It is 60km from Collie, 74km from Narrogin and 115km from Bunbury

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