Dwellingup

Along the Track

The Murray River rapids remind us of the force of nature whilst its tranquil pools invite us for a cooling swim. As walkers easily stroll along the flat old railway formations it is easy to imagine the busy-ness of times gone by when steam trains chugged along the same place that your foot falls now. Conversely, the steep hills that challenge some walkers in the Murray River Valley will focus attention on the changing nature of the Australian bush and how well deserved a rest at the next campsite will be. A longer section between towns – seven days/ six nights – this section gives walkers a feeling of being a little more remote – a walker can struggle to find a phone signal here… bliss!

Find out more in Along the Track.

Highlights

• Lane Poole Reserve, a special conservation zone through which a significant amount of the Bibbulmun Track between Dwellingup and Collie passes.
• The new Bilya Djena Bidi suspension bridge across the Murray River.
• The Murray River, a companion for walkers heading south with melaleuca thickets and flooded gum woodlands along its banks.
• Murray campsite is in a magic spot on the banks of the river.
• The Worsley Alumina conveyor belt just south of the Harvey-Quindanning Rd crossing which extends 50km transporting bauxite from the Mt Saddleback mine to the refinery on the coastal plain below the Darling Scarp.
• Wooden rails on old logging railway formations used in the early days of the timber industry north of Harris Dam campsite.
• Lake Ballingall and Harris Dam, Harris Dam picnic area and Perrin lookout.

Interesting Places

• The Dwellingup History and Visitor Information Centre has plenty of information about the area itself, and also about the 1961 fire which tore through the region.
• The Forest Heritage Centre and the School of Wood. Enjoy the 11 metre high tree top walk that takes you into the forest canopy or perhaps take a course at the Australian School of Fine Wood .
• World War Two POW Camp – WA’s only prisoner of war camp which held German and Italian prisoners captured in North Africa and India.
• Hotham Valley tourist steam train – travel back in time on the 8km journey eastward from Dwellingup to Etmilyn, along the state’s last surviving lightly built developmental railway.
• Canoeing and white water rafting at Baden Powel water spout on the Murray River.
• Lane Pool Reserve including vehicle base camping along the Murray River.

Day Walks

1. Nanga Rd to Swamp Oak campsite and back (14.2km). Travel 1km east from Dwellingup town centre on the Pinjarra-Williams Road, turn right down Nanga Road and travel for 4.5km to the Track crossing.
2. Yarragil Form to Swamp Oak campsite and back (15.2km). From Dwellingup take Nanga Rd approx. 6km and turn left into Park Rd at the DEC park entry station before the bridge and travel 13km.Reach Yarragil Form 2km past Yarragil camping area.
3. Driver Rd to Dookanelly campsite and back (6.8km). Take Nanga Rd south for approx. 29km, then turn left at Driver Rd and travel 13km until you reach the Murray River crossing. Travel a further 100m to the right toward Howse Drive. Look for Bibbulmun Track signs. Note the crossing is often impassable in winter and spring.
4. Harvey-Quindanning Rd to Possum Springs campsite and back (15.8km). Take the Harvey-Quindanning Rd 42km from Harvey or 35km from Quindanning.
5. Harris Dam picnic area to Harris Dam campsite and back (6.4km). Follow signs in Collie to Harris Dam.

Overnight Walks

1. Dwellingup to Swamp Oak campsite and back (26km, two days, one night).
2. Dwellingup to Driver Rd one-way (45.7km, three days, two nights).
3. Dwellingup to Harvey-Quindanning Rd one-way (60.5km, four days, three nights).
4. Dwellingup to Collie one-way (122km, seven days, six nights).
5. Harvey-Quindanning Rd to Collie one-way (61.6km, four days, three nights)

Getting There

Dwellingup is located 106km south of Perth, a drive of approx. one hour and 20 minutes from Perth. From the city, travel south on the Kwinana Freeway to Pinjarra Rd. Exit left and travel to Pinjarra. Turn left on to South Western Highway at the traffic lights and then shortly after passing through the main business area, turn right before the railway crossing near the Pinjarra Hotel (look for signs to Dwellingup). Travel along the Pinjarra-Williams Rd to Dwellingup (approx. 25km).

Alternatively travel south on the South Western Highway from Armadale to North Dandalup and turn left on Del Park Road. Dwellingup is a further 25kms.

There is no public transport to Dwellingup or the Harvey-Quindanning Rd. Some accommodation providers will transfer you to the Track, provided you are staying with them.

The Harvey-Quindanning Rd crossing can be reached either from Harvey (42km) or the small settlement of Quindanning (35km to the west). Look for Bibbulmun Track signs and the Long Gully Bridge to the north.

TransWA have regular services to Collie from Perth and Bunbury via Brunswick Junction.

Reflections from the Register

Swamp Oak campsite

I haven’t been on this part of the Bibbulmun Track for over ten years-what a great effort by CALM and the Friends. Great hut’it rained like billy-o but not a leak! I had deep philosophical discussions with Reggie the Raven about carrion and other cool things. Nice cool day for walking—now to tackle that Yarragil hill…
Kevin 18/07/98

Very dodgy handwriting caused by the fact that my fingers are almost completely frozen solid. Jolly day. I discovered, half-way up that bloody hill, that I am less human than I ever thought before. I reached the three-quarter mark and had to actually stop myself from getting on all fours, snarling and frothing at the mouth. Actually I find it is easier to climb hills if you grunt like a crazed loon and flail your arms about wildly. I believe this may be due to some sort of propeller type action. Helps me, anyway.

Lovely campsite, beautiful trees.
Anon 13/08/2005

At the end of today I remembered why I said last year that I wouldn’t be doing it again! And here I am! Year 11 Outdoor Ed students plus two staff from Sevenoaks. It was a beautiful walk but steep, and being in full sun this afternoon made walking even harder. Out to Dwellingup tomorrow and back into the classroom. So many young people could learn from the beauty and challenge of nature.
Bev and Sarah 21/10/2005

Murray campsite

Another gem. Just sit out the front and watch the bird display and to top it off – only 29 meters from the water. I’ve heard a lot about this campsite and I’m not disappointed. Considering this is free, I’m certainly getting my money’s worth. How peaceful is this spot? P.S. Monday is no longer the worst day of the week. Every day is a good day.
Wez, 29/10/03

My favourite shelter since Tom Road down south. Must be the river view and brilliant bird life today! All the young birds are on the wing, Rufous Whistlers, Wrens, New Holland Honeyeaters, short-billed Black Cockatoos (white tailed), 28 parrots, Western yellow & white breasted & Scarlet Robins. Also saw Golden Whistler, Common Bronze-wing, heaps of Fantails, Red capped Parrots and 3 Kookaburras. 3 Roos and 1 very fast Wallaby.
Abercrousle, Maccegfield, UK 22/10/03

Dookanelly campsite

Raindrops on gum trees and sunshine on balga
Towering karris and twittering bird noise
Tramping along with a pack on back
These are the joys of the Bibbulmun Track

Get to the shelter at the end of the wa-lk
Hot cup of tea and a time for a ta-lk
Boots off and feet up and write in the book
Thinking of dinner and what you will cook

Further verses pending
Kalgirlie and Band on the Run 13/04/2010

Against all the odds I think I’m still alive. Sadly I’ve forgotten what a female human looks like and I think I’m turning into a two minute noodle.
Peter (Dopey) Kerkes 11/12/08

Despite the arctic temperatures and the lack of sleep because of a certain person who snores, the rainbow this morning has set the mood for a glorious, albeit wet, day of hiking. We’ll seek out our own pot of gold—hopefully at the Murray campsite.
Happy trails!
Robyn, Tony and Andrew 09/06/2001

Possum Springs campsite

The evolution of the hiker:
You start out with a straight back and a human body
The hills, and the weight of your pack bends your body closer to the ground
After many hills you find it easier on all fours
Now being a quadruped the hills are a breeze
You grow very strong, your feet begin to resemble hands and your ability to forage for food in the bush means you can discard your pack!
You develop body hair enabling you to withstand the coldest nights
You now live at peace, having forsaken so called civilisation
If the Track lasts long enough, there will be gorillas in the forests.
Anon. 10/10/2000

I pushed, prodded, puffed and powered my way over the pimply hills, then lazed, lounged, lunched and lingered under the long bridge before sauntering slowly into the Springs in the  sun.
Gail 26/09/2001

A Bibbulmun Track hiker was arrested yesterday by Worsley mine officials after he was found  travelling on their conveyor belt. Christian le Hump, a lone hiker, said he was attempting to reach Collie on the belt. Mr Hump said he got bored after hugging the perimeter of the Bunning Tree Farm for four kilometres and suffered psychedelic effects from the humming of the belt. He was later released into the wild by officials of CALM.
Anon 01/10/1998

Yourdamung campsite

The land of clapping thunder
Ominous skies and pouring rain
Chill winds blow us to Collie
On the Bibbulmun Track again!
Bibbul 1 & Bibbul 2 05/06/2005

Jim Turnbull and George Audley have today declared themselves hikers having got this far. George has changed his nickname from Flying Fossil to Walking Stupidity. Never mind, only 670.6km to go.
Dad’s Army 01/04/2002 (April Fool’s Day)

One of my favourite pastimes in England is to look at the clouds and make shapes out of them—dog, cat, dolphin etc, but since I’ve been in Oz it didn’t seem to work. Then it struck me what the problem was…of course in Oz everything is upside down! Simple solution has been to stand on my hands and hey presto, there they are—antelope, elephant, pint of cold beer.  Have I been out here too long?
Bill Gates (UK) 11/11/2012

Harris Dam campsite

Another beautiful part of our beautiful country. Here’s hoping it’s here for all our children to enjoy!
Chanelle QLD 11/11/97

This is my last campsite on my Kalamunda to Collie trip. I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank CALM and all the volunteers who have made this trip a fantastic experience for me. You are all “Keeping the dream alive”. I can’t believe how well organised the Track is, how well thought out . I started this trek to get out of my comfort zone; little did I realise what a fantastic adventure it would become. I’ll be back!
Steve from Busso  21/11/1998

Watch out Collie, there’s going to be a massacre of steak, beer, wine and hot water!
Barbie 05/04/2002

This is great, walking with Mum and Dad. I can’t wait to get back here to stay the night!
Ashley  20/07/2003

Weather

Maps and Guides

• 

  Map 2 – Dwellingup

  This map extends from North Bannister to the Harvey-Quindanning Rd

  Maps

  • Price $11.95
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• 

  Dwellingup Day Walk Map Pack

  Not sure where to start? These Day Walk Map Packs are a great resource for beginners and people wanting to explore more of the Track.

  Day Walk Map Packs

  • Price $27.95
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• 

  Map 3 – Collie

  This map extends from the Harvey-Quindanning Rd to Mumballup

  Maps

  • Price $11.95
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• 

  Northern Half Map Pack

  Maps

  • Price $39.95
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• 

  Guidebook 2 and Map 2 – Dwellingup

  Buy the Dwellingup Guidebook and Map together.

  Guidebooks

  • Price $25.95
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• 

  Guidebook 3 and Map 3 – Collie

  Buy the Collie Guidebook and Map together.

  Guidebooks

  • Price $25.95
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Parks and Wildlife Service

Perth Hills District

Northern Terminus (Kalamunda) to Harvey-Quindanning Rd.
Including Hewett’s Hill campsite to Dookanelly campsite.

Contact: Rebecca Hamilton (part-time) (mundaring@dbca.wa.gov.au)
Telephone: (08) 9290 6100

Opening times: 8am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

Address

275 Allen Road
MUNDARING

Wellington District

Harvey-Quindanning Rd to Mumballup (Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Rd).
Including Possum Springs campsite to Yabberup campsite.

Contact: Nick Evans (wellington@dbca.wa.gov.au)
Telephone: (08) 9735 1988

Opening times: 8am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

Address

147 Wittenoom Street
COLLIE

Visitor Information Centres