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King Jarrah Walk Trail, Lane Poole, Dwellingup King Jarrah Walk Trail, Lane Poole, Dwellingup

Bush Walk  in Perth & Surrounds

  • Half day
  • 18 km
    • Bush Walk Class 4

      Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

The King Jarrah Walk Trail is a strenuous 18km loop that winds through the scenic Murray River Valley. Once a transportation route of a vibrant timber industry, hikers can now immerse themselves in the jarrah forest, enjoy tranquil river views, and marvel at the 'King Jarrah', a majestic 250-year-old tree.

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The King Jarrah Walk Trail begins at Nanga Mill Campground and offers a six-hour walk through the stunning jarrah forest.

This challenging walk provides scenic views of the Murray River Valley and can be undertaken in either direction. Expect steep sections on the western side. The highlight is the ‘King Jarrah’, a statuesque giant standing nearly 50 metres tall and over 2 metres wide.

Following the river for much of its length, the trail grants access to beautiful jarrah forests. Part of the trail utilises an old logging railway formation with cuttings and bridge sites crossing Dawn Creek. Look out for old reference trees, which were numbered to help foresters locate their position in the bush, and some old bridge stringers visible in the water.

If you're looking for a shorter adventure, then learn more about the King Jarrah Short Loop here.

Visit Dwellingup

Just over an hour's drive from Perth, Dwellingup has an abundance of nature-inspired experiences and unique offerings. Filled with ancient forests, flowing rivers, vibrant hiking and mountain-biking trails and incredible camping spots, Dwellingup is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. 

 

Dwellingup was recently announced as 2023 National Top Tiny Tourism Town and as the only place where the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi meet, Dwellingup is home to an array of trails for you to explore including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, horse riding and four-wheel-driving. The adventure is yours to create in this remarkable part of Western Australia.

Explore Dwellingup
Visit Dwellingup

Mundaring Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9290 6100

Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre

(08) 9538 1108

National Parks

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  • Destination Perth

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


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Expand your trip and enjoy great businesses nearby

Dwellingup Forest Lodge

Luxurious chalets set in the tranquillity of the natural bushland. All fully equipped with modern kitchens and linen provided. Beautiful views of the lake from the private balconies.

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Waypoints Cafe

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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Dwellingup Adventures

Invent your own adventure and lose yourself in the forest and river valleys of Dwellingup.

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Dwellingup Rural Chalets at Lewis Park

Lewis Park is a 16 hectare property with valley and forest views. A perfect place to escape the city and have a relaxing weekend away.

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Dwellingup Transfers

Looking for transport to or from Dwellingup? A drop off out on to the Bibbulmun Track perhaps? We can get you where you want to be!

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Longriders Cafe & Restaurant

Licensed family restaurant with locally sourced produce inspiring the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

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Off The Beaten Track WA

Off The Beaten Track WA (OTBT) is Perth’s leading premier Hiking Experience & Adventure Tour operator, providing guests with over 70 safe, fun, inclusive experiences in a fully supported environment.

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Be trail ready for King Jarrah Walk Trail, Lane Poole, Dwellingup

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

Time / Duration

5-6 hours return

Length

18km loop

Trail Start

Nanga Mill Campground, 10.5 kilometres from the Lane Poole entry station, Murray Valley Road, 18km from Dwellingup

Get directions

Trail End

Bush Walk

Class 4

Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Additional information

Steep sections, rough track with many obstacles, limited signage, experienced bushwalkers only.

What To Pack

Safety

Be mindful of vehicles and bicycles as the trail intersects with the Munda Biddi Trail and the four-wheel drive Captain Fawcett Track.

Biodiversity

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 of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife.

Meat baits containing 1080 poison are laid in or around this area on an ongoing basis. 1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs. Please leave your pets at home or prevent them from entering this area.

For further information contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office or visit Western Shield.

Facilities

If you plan to camp, make sure you are self-sufficient and have all the necessary equipment, food and water. Bookings at Nanga Mill cannot be made in advanced and is instead on a first in basis. Other sites at Lane Poole Reserve can be booked in advanced.

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Public Toilet
  • Picnic Area

Best time of year

September to October for wildflower season

Fees

National Park fees apply, as do camping fees.

Trail Access

The trail begins at Nanga Mill, 10.5km from the park entry along the Murray Valley Rd, 100km South of Perth

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4 trail goers have rated King Jarrah Walk Trail, Lane Poole, Dwellingup as 4 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.

Daniel Roworth

Reviewed 21 Aug 2021, 1:46pm

Tried this on Friday morning after heavy rain the previous evening. Started clockwise and the first half that follows 4WD access tracks was pleasant with early morning mist and occasional glimpses of the river. Just after the trail joins the Captain Fawcett track I reached the second \u201cstart\u201d point where the trail transitions to single track.

Unfortunately the undergrowth is overhanging the trail and within 100m I was soaked through due to the water still on the undergrowth from the previous evenings rain. Rather than pushing on and spending the next few hours pushing through wet brush I returned via the 4wd trail, falling just short of reaching the king jarrah.

I would not recommend this trail if the weather/vegetation is damp, it's too overgrown (at least from the far end). long sleeved shirts and pants are also recommended to avoid too many scratches from the vegetation.

Could do with a little clearing.
Joseph Andrin

Reviewed 2 Jan 2021, 7:07pm

WOW! Is all I kept saying to myself for the first few hours. This trail is amazing! I LOVE IT!

I went on a hot day, 35C, in January 2021. Not sure when the last bush fire was, but the trail was bursting with green and life. I saw an echidna (who didn't seem to care at all about my presence), and emu, loads of kangaroos, lots of birds. The landscape forever changed, from sparsely forested, to tight, tight, tight, to steep to flat. I hung out with a 300 year old tree, not a bad sort, taught me a lot about my silly behaviour and rushing around, then I rushed off.

The only reason I don't give this a 5 star is it's only the East side, the steep foot path bit around King Jarrah, that I thought was extraordinary. The rest of it is still AMAZING but the trail is on a vehicle road, so is wide and not a hiking specific trail. It just feel different. The bush was still amazing, the views were still great, but it feels so much nicer being on a tiny winding trail through the bush than a wide cleared space. Again, honestly, even that part is great, the forrest here is such a uniquely WA experience.

Enjoy. Oh and when you're on the wide trail, listen out for a running creek and see if you can get to it through the bush. It's only about 30cm deep in the summer but a great spot for a swim and cool off. Also, if heading in the summer I would recommend the mornings, wrapping up in the East bit (heading clockwise from Nanga) as that way you'll be in the cool of the forrest by the time you're done.

Also, it took me about 6 hours but I did it really slowly for my health and fitness. I'm 35 and strong as an ox, but I had quite a few long sits along the way.

Say hi to the King.
Gillian Groom

Reviewed 26 Mar 2018, 12:23pm

Really enjoyed the trail.
Went yesterday (March 25, 2018) on an unseasonably cool, overcast day and completed in 4.5 hrs with a 30 min lunch stop. I'll go slower next time as I know what to expect and hopefully in wildflower season.
I also went anticlockwise and got the climb out of the way first. The entire track was dry so no issue with slipping and sliding in mud. The down hill after the King Jarrah tree was super steep and a bit slippery.
Trail was in good shape, one section has a tree down but there are pink tapes tied to trees to re-orientate you to the trail. Some overgrown segments.
Trailmarkers- 20 of the green and white ones (heaps of yellow and black hiking person ones as well).
Really enjoyed the bush and trees, got down to the Murray. Lots of blackberries!
Saw absolutely no one else, not a single vehicle either.
Recommended.
Mark Dutton

Reviewed 5 Jul 2015, 9:57pm

Completed in just under 4.5hrs (5/July/2015). Weather was good for trail walk like this, nice and cool. Luckily no rain. I wouldn't take this on in Summer.
Probably do-able in under 4 hours if you don't stop to enjoy the scenery and help lost 4WDs.
Take note of the Grade 4 rating. The Western side of the track is rather steep at the North and South ends. The The valleys into Christmas brook and Dawn Creek are steep too but not as bad.
I had intended to walk the East side first as a warm up, then tackle the Western side. I'm glad I didn't. The ascent from Nanga Mill onto the first plateau is 170m and the inclination is murder. However, once you've done that the worst climb is out of the way.
The Western side is far more appealing imo as it's just a thin walk trail. Easily definable, and travelling through some amazing scenery. Very lush and green. Plenty of birds and some amazing fungi at this time of year.
Luckily I had no rain but the decent into Big Brook is slippery and slow going, Add some rain and it would be a tad dangerous.
Eastern side is flat compared with West side. It's rather dull too, basically a single lane 4WD track. Rather muddy after recent rains. Some worthwhile rest points when the road nears the Murray River that have some amazing watery scenery.

Overall: Expect a challenge. Do in Winter when cooler and brooks/creeks are flowing.
Again?: Yes, but only with another person(s). Definitely West then East

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