ZIA JASPER rated Wadandi Track, Margaret River a 4 out of 5
Lovely trail to take our dog with us, very peaceful and beautiful smelling flora
Memorial Drive, Cowaramup, 265km (3 hours) south west of Perth
Witchcliffe, 8km (10 minutes) south of Margaret River
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Learn moreThe track currently begins or ends (depending where you start) at Cowaramup and finishes at Witchcliffe. Passing though peppermint, jarrah and young karri forest the trail provides a firsthand view of the abundant bird life.
The track offers the opportunity to experience the Margaret River region through its natural environment, Aboriginal heritage and the rich history of the industries and communities served by the railway from 1884 to 1957.
Along the 5 kilometres north of Margaret River there are numerous bridges crossing a major river and creeks and streams of varying sizes. The trail is easy to navigate with picnic areas along the way. The spectacular birdlife includes yellow robins, parrots and blue wrens and the wildflowers are stunning in Spring (September to December).
As it was a railway, the gradient is relatively flat, and the terrain is generally gentle. However, it can get moderate in some places and a mountain bike is recommended.
HISTORY
The railway line was built in the 1880s by prominent timber businessman M. C. Davies, who laid a number of lines to take timber from his mills to jetties at Hamelin Bay and Flinders Bay for export.
By 1916 the timber industry had declined and the railway from Augusta to Margaret River was bought by the WA Government.
It was extended to Busselton by 1925 to service the remaining timber industry, the original group settlements, farming and domestic passengers.
As the road network improved, more of the cartage was done by trucks and the Busselton to Flinders Bay branch railway eventually closed in 1957, after which most of the rail line and sleepers were salvaged for other uses. A handful of sleepers and rail line can still be spotted today and some major elements of the railway infrastructure remain in place. These include the original railway formation; cuttings; embankments; and many of the bridges and culverts.
Since the closure of the railway, several roads and some public facilities have been constructed on the trail reserve.
Some parts of the reserve were leased to adjoining landowners. While all of these leases have lapsed or were terminated, some of the activities that were permitted under the conditions of these leases are still taking place within the reserve – including grazing, plantations, dams and quarrying of local resources.
TRAIL SECTIONS AND DISTANCES
There are four discrete sections that can be traversed:
Cowaramup-Carters Road 11.0km
Carters Road-Margaret River 3.4km
Margaret River-Gnarawary Road 4.1km
Gnarawary Road-Witchcliffe 4.6km
FACILITIES
Parking is available at the following locations:
• Cowaramup – next to the Fire Station
• Carters Road – formal car park
• Margaret River – off Clarke Road next to former Goods Shed
• Gnarawary Road – formal car park
Public toilets are located at the following locations:
• Cowaramup - next to the Fire Station, in Pioneer Park and Cowaramup Hall
• Margaret River – Rotary park, Old Settlement, Memorial Park, Fearn Avenue
• Witchcliffe – Bussell Hwy
Wadandi Track on Rails Trails Australia website
Bike hire and cafe
Bush retreat on the trail - bike hire available
The WA MTB Guide Book covers over 50 locations from Kununurra to Esperance for all levels of Mountain Biking.
Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.
Time depends on mode of transport and individual itinerary
23km one way
Group C (Mountain bike trails) required.
Group C (Mountain bike trails)
Grade 2
No bushwalking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10km. Suitable for families with young children.
Easy
Likely to be a combination of fire road or wide single track with a gentle gradient, smooth surface and relatively free of unavoidable obstacles. Short sections may exceed these criteria. Frequent encounters are likely with walkers, runners, horse riders and other cyclists. Suitable for beginner/novice mountain bikers in good health with basic mountain bike
skills and using off-road bikes.
September to November
Road or bus to Margaret River
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