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Wadandi Track, Margaret River Wadandi Track, Margaret River

Bush Walk

(+1)
Touring
 in South West

  • Full day
  • 31 km
    • Bush Walk Class 2

      Easy trail with modified or hardened surface, and gentle hills or occasional steps. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required. May be suitable for assisted wheelchair users (if ramps are provided at steps).

    • Mountain Bike Easy

      Recommended for beginner riders with basic mountain bike skills. Typically flowing, open trails on firm terrain with gentle gradients. Surface may be uneven, loose or muddy at times. Riders may encounter small rollable obstacles and technical trail features.

The Wadandi Track is a 31km (one-way) trail from Cowaramup to Sebbes Road (5 minute drive south of Witchliffe). Formally known as “Rails to Trails” this path is open to walkers and cyclists, the Wadandi Track showcases the heritage of the former Busselton to Flinders Bay Railway.  The track takes you through some of the most beautiful natural bush, farmland and vineyards in the Margaret River region, three hours south of Perth.

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The 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

Witchcliffe-Sebbes Road 8.2km

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

MRORCA - Margaret RIver Offroad Cycling Association

Margaret River Visitor Centre

(08) 9780 5911

Other Links

Be trail ready for Wadandi Track, Margaret River

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

Time / Duration

Half-day

Length

31km one way

What To Pack

Group C (Mountain bike trails) required.

Trail Start

Memorial Drive, Cowaramup, 265km (3 hours) south west of Perth

Get directions

Trail End

Sebbes Road, 17km (14 minutes) south of Margaret River

Get directions

Bush Walk

Class 2

Easy trail with modified or hardened surface, and gentle hills or occasional steps. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required. May be suitable for assisted wheelchair users (if ramps are provided at steps).

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Mountain Bike

Easy

Recommended for beginner riders with basic mountain bike skills. Typically flowing, open trails on firm terrain with gentle gradients. Surface may be uneven, loose or muddy at times. Riders may encounter small rollable obstacles and technical trail features.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Hazards & Warnings

Dogs must be on a leash. 

Facilities

Bike hire available in Margaret River.

  • Cafe
  • Car Park
  • Picnic Area
  • Dog Friendly

Best time of year

April to October

Trail Access

Road or bus to Margaret River

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4 trail goers have rated Wadandi Track, Margaret River 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.

ZIA JASPER

Reviewed 24 Mar 2020, 12:59pm

We started the hike from Witchcliffe, best starting point is near the corner of Redgate Rd and Bussell Hwy behind the fire station/tennis court/ fuel station - walk 50m up Redgate rd and you'll see the trail to commence walk north bound.

Lovely trail to take our dog with us, very peaceful and beautiful smelling flora
Madeleine Runs

Reviewed 7 May 2017, 7:05pm

A good trail for a long run where you don't want to get side-tracked. It is one long straight track. From Margaret River to Cowaramup it is slightly uphill, hardly noticeable, which makes it fun to turn around and find out it is all downhill on the way back. Easy to run with road running shoes - no trail shoes needed.
Dawn Ambrose

Reviewed 8 Jan 2016, 3:33pm

A great family track especially for cycling-quite leisurely and relaxing. A bonus is pleasant parks, coffee shops and bakeries at each end! One tip- the trail is mainly slightly uphill from Margaret River to Cowaramup, so if doing the round trip I always choose the uphill before I've indulged in my reward!
Brett Larsen

Reviewed 3 Dec 2015, 8:27am

Great beginners track mostly sand and gravel wide enough for two all the way, gradual slopes you hardly notice and a few great little wooden bridge crossings.
The track is shaded by the tree canopy most of the way for sun sensitive people. 11Km one way from Cowaramup to carter road Margaret River.
Recommended for Mountain bikes, Fatbike or any off road cycle no rough spots at all, very smooth and leisurely.
Worth a look or even a walk.

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