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The new trail reinventing WA as a mountain biking hotspot

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Dwellingup’s new mountain bike network has cemented its spot among the top outdoor destinations in Australia.

Known among locals as a resplendent natural paradise, Dwellingup in Western Australia’s Darling Range is quietly becoming a magnet for outdoor thrill seekers – and its new mountain bike trail is only adding to the buzz.

Where is it?

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
Your next outdoor adventure awaits in the regional town of Dwellingup. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Just over an hour’s drive from Perth, the charming town of Dwellingup is the perfect destination for lovers of nature and adventure. One of only two accredited Trail Towns in Western Australia, this little pocket of paradise is home to everything from scenic hiking tracks and mountain biking trails to pristine waterways and wild swimming holes.

The newest addition to this already epic line-up is the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails, a 68-kilometre network that takes in the region’s top highlights. With stage two of construction completed earlier this month, the trail is now officially open to the public and has since received a flurry of visitors.

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
The new network is part of the Dwellingup Adventure Trails initiative. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

“It’s a world-class facility here. We are genuinely spoilt for trails," says Tony Tucknott, Dwellingup 100 course director. “The DBCA [Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions] has done a fantastic job. The trail network that’s out here is so enjoyable, so flowy, so fast."

It’s all part of Dwellingup Adventure Trails, a multimillion-dollar project aimed at establishing the region as a leading trails destination. Since its launch three years ago, multiple tracks across Dwellingup have been built under the initiative.

The Turner Hill Mountain Bike Trail and Marrinup Circuit have also received extensive upgrades, with an additional $1.7 million invested into ongoing trail support and infrastructure development.

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What to expect

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
There are 68 kilometres of biking trails to explore. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The interconnected Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails span 68 kilometres, weaving through jarrah, marri and wandoo forests, along the winding Murray River and past some of the region’s best natural attractions.

Many trace sections of Lane Poole Reserve, a 55,000-hectare mecca known for its abundance of flora and fauna. Bikers are encouraged to look out for kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, echidnas, woylies and even quokkas.

Quokka in Western Australia
Keep an eye out for friendly quokkas along the way. (Image: Getty/Philipp Boettcher)

While mountain biking may have a reputation for being rough and rugged, the rise of mountain biking tourism has seen the sport become more accessible. Similar to the newly opened Great Southern Trails in NSW, the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails welcome bikers of all abilities, with a range of tracks that vary in length and difficulty.

Not sure where to start? Beginners should check out the Emu Run, a gentle 1.6-kilometre trail that takes less than an hour to complete. For something a little more challenging, try the BFG trail, a 2.5-kilometre downhill track that detours off longer tracks, Blaze and Solitary.

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
A rise in mountain biking tourism has seen the sport become more accessible. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Marrinup Circuit, Turner Hill and Go Loco are perfect for more experienced mountain bikers. At eight, 11 and 18 kilometres in length respectively, they take up to three hours to complete. The best part? A number of tracks connect to the iconic Munda Biddi Trail, a multi-day adventure stretching over 1000 kilometres between Mundaring and Albany.

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But that’s not all…

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
Pitch a tent at one of Lane Poole Reserve’s riverside campgrounds. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Not a huge fan of mountain biking? No stress – the Dwellingup Adventure Trails are as diverse as their surrounds.

“As well as mountain biking, there’s a fantastic network of walks. Some new ones, but also existing trails that we’ve improved. And then you’ve got the kayak and canoe trails on the river, so there really is something for everyone," says Rod Annear of WA’s Parks and Wildlife Service.

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
Explore from the water along a kayak and canoe trail. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

You’d be remiss not to bring your hiking boots and hit one of the bushwalks, from the 1.3-kilometre Marrinup Falls Walk Trail to the newly upgraded King Jarrah Walk Trail. Or explore Lane Poole Reserve on horseback along the 17-kilometre Les Couzens Bridle Trail.

If you’d rather have an on-water adventure, take to the Murray on a kayak or canoe trail. Along the way, there are plenty of spots to stop for a picnic or a dip in the water, as well as campgrounds for multi-day adventurers with new canoe launch facilities at the Yarragil and Stringers sites.

Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trails in Western Australia
Get your bearings on the visitor centre’s practice track. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Keen to explore the Dwellingup Adventure Trails? The town’s visitor centre is the ultimate one-stop shop, where friendly locals are full of expert advice at the information desk. You’ll also find interactive maps, touch-screen displays and a VR preview of the trails to ensure you’re fully prepared before heading off.

The surrounding precinct has everything you need pre- and post-adventure, from a practice track and tool tree to showers and toilets. There’s also a cafe, locker room, kiosk, laundromat and gift shop, as well as on-site parking.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Off-grid stays and farm-to-plate dining: discover the ultimate guide to Denmark, WA

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Trade early morning phone alarms and city chaos for bucolic serenity and gastronomic delights.

    Peaceful birdsong and coastal winds meet rolling green hills and turquoise waters; there’s no better place to start your day than in Western Australia’s Denmark. This picturesque coastal town, a 4.5-hour drive from Perth along the pristine Rainbow Coast, offers bucolic bliss in spades.

    A hidden retreat lies just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, inviting guests to slow down and connect with nature. At Heyscape Denmark, the ultimate refuge from the rat race and the perfect setting for a rural escape await.

    Whether it’s for a refreshing weekend away or a regenerative week-long sojourn, this idyllic pocket of the world will leave you feeling anew.

    Where to stay

    women on front deck at inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Make the most of outdoor baths. (Credit: Jarrad Seng)

    Located on the 880-acre Raintree Estate, Heyscape Denmark is an award-winning, off-grid cabin retreat ideal for anyone craving time in nature while also enjoying sustainable, luxury comfort. Just 15 are sensitively embedded in the rural environment, ensuring privacy and the perfect setting to switch off. Choose from one-bedroom, two-bedroom or 4-person cabins. Four-legged friends can also join in on the fun with pet-friendly cabins available.

    inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Check in, to check out.

    The modern accommodations are well-appointed with queen beds dressed in lush linen and pillows; a bathroom with a warm shower, flushable toilet and botanical shampoo and conditioner; and an indoor kitchenette with a Nespresso coffee maker. Outside, find timber decks with seating to spot resident kangaroos from, Heston Blumenthal barbecues for whipping up delicious meals using local produce, and outdoor baths to soak up incredible nighttime skies – Denmark’s lack of light pollution makes it an exceptional spot for stargazing and viewing the Milky Way. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping Great Southern Ocean, William Bay National Park and Karri tree views.

    Wellness is at the forefront of Heyscape Denmark with thoughtful touches including Note to Self prompts, gratitude cards and a botanical sleep spray ready to help you unwind. And for the ultimate weekend of R&R, two-bedroom cabins are fitted with saunas.

    Where to eat

    Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience
    Catch your own freshwater crayfish, then have a chef prepare it for you.

    The Great Southern region’s Mediterranean climate and nutrient-rich soils make for some of the most incredible produce in the world – and a stay at Heyscape Denmark lets you sample the very best of it. The estate farms over 200 black Angus cattle, marron – a freshwater crayfish endemic to the South-West of Western Australia –, hemp and French black truffle.

    Just steps from these cabins sits the estate’s paddock-to-plate restaurant, The Dam. Featuring lofty jarrah ceilings, polished concrete and expansive windows revealing calming dam views, it’s a stunning spot for lunch or dinner, alongside an outdoor playground to keep little ones happy and busy.

    Acclaimed chef Jason Jujnovich utilises ingredients from Raintree Estate’s regenerative farm in his hyper-local, Modern Australian menu. Seasonally changing dishes include the likes of wagyu beef lasagna and pistachio crumbed chicken cotoletta. Or join in for pizza night on a Friday, where the mushroom and truffle pizza is an easy winner.

    Meals are designed to be paired with sips from the property’s innovative Cannabis Botanical Distillery, which concocts house-made hemp spirits and seltzers using ingredients grown onsite. Taste unique drops such as the Sativa Gin with warm citrus and pepper notes and the Pineapple Passion seltzer.

    Another stand-out gastronomic offering is Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience, which lets you hand-catch freshwater crayfish from the property’s pristine dams and have them prepared and cooked to perfection for you by chefs. Those wanting to enjoy a meal from the comfort of their cabin can fire up the barbecue and grill their fresh catch or order a gourmet dinner box with mouthwatering wagyu steak and antipasti against golden peaceful sunset views.

    Things to do

    Lights Beach denmark western australia
    Spend a day enjoying the idyllic Lights Beach. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    There’s no shortage of things to do in Denmark, and basing yourself at Heyscape Denmark puts you within easy access to it all. Nature lovers are spoiled with unbeatable spots for swimming and snorkelling, plus coastal hiking trails at William Bay National Park – a protected coastal reserve with approximately 1734 hectares of stunning landscapes ready to be explored.

    Hire an e-bike from the property and cycle just 15 minutes to the unbelievably clear waters and white sands of Greens Pools, a naturally sheltered beach. Or the idyllic Lights Beach, which features three beaches, dunes, natural wading pool and scenic walking trails. Keen surfers should turn their attention to Ocean Beach with its world-class surf breaks.

    aerial Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk
    Wander the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Stroll past towering Karri and giant Red Tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The 600-metre walkway rises 40 metres above the ancient forest floor and meanders through the hardwood trees, endemic exclusively to the Great Southern region.

    Denmark is also a haven for creatives, and Butter Factory Studios is a must-stop on any itinerary. The contemporary art gallery, working artist studio and gift shop are housed within a historic building where workshops and exhibitions support and showcase creators from the region.

    With the winning trifecta of delicious food, a pristine environment, and secluded accommodation, Denmark proves to be the ultimate destination for relaxation.

    Book your Denmark adventure today at heyscape.com.au.