Dwellingup – Forest, Trails and the Murray River

Dwellingup combines extensive trails through forest and Australian bushland with experiences on the Murray River and a historic railway line. The destination suits a range of holiday interests: you can plan multi-day hikes, compare mountain bike routes, paddle on the river, or discover the forest and railway history. This variety also offers useful guidance when looking for holiday accommodation: consider which experiences you want to shape your stay.

Hiking and mountain biking on a range of trails

The Nyingarn Bidi is a 50-kilometre loop trail that starts and ends in Dwellingup. It is designed to be completed over three days and two nights, making it a multi-day hiking option. If you prefer to explore individual sections, you can hike parts of the Bibbulmun Track from Dwellingup. The Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi Trail meet at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre.

The Dwellingup Adventure Trails include more than 300 kilometres of mountain biking, hiking, paddling, driving and shared-use trails through forest, river valleys and Australian bushland. This network offers different ways to experience the landscape. On the mountain bike trails, colour codes can help you work out which routes suit your preferences: white and green loops are designed for beginners; black descents are steep and technically challenging. Which type of trail suits your trip is a specific difference to consider when planning your holiday activities.

As part of the Dwellingup Adventure Trails, more than 40 kilometres of new mountain bike trails have also been built in the Murray Valley and the surrounding area of Dwellingup. Animals you may spot on the trails include the karrak, also known as the red-tailed black cockatoo. It is the symbol of the trail network. Alongside the choice of trails, the outdoor experience also centres on the forest, river valleys and wildlife.

River scenery and paddling options

On the Murray River, paddling ranges from calm pools suitable for beginners to sections that flow fast in winter and are better suited to those seeking adventure. This contrast can help you choose your focus: calmer paddling and fast-flowing water are different options, not simply two versions of the same trip. Dwellingup Adventures is in the town centre and hires out canoes, rafts, mountain bikes and camping equipment.

The 80-metre-long Dwaarlindjirraap Suspension Bridge provides access to the mountain bike trail network south of the Murray River. The bridge offers wide views of the river valley and the rocky rapids below. Here, river scenery and mountain biking come together, while the rapids can also be seen from the bridge.

Jarrah forest, discoveries and train rides

The Forest Discovery Centre is one kilometre from the centre of Dwellingup, set in 17 hectares of jarrah forest. It includes a sales gallery and shop, as well as an environmental interpretation centre. Visitors can learn about wildflowers, animals and forest resources on the walking trails. This adds a forest and nature perspective to your stay, distinct from the longer hiking and mountain biking trails.

Another special experience is the historic Dwellingup Forest Train. It travels eight kilometres east from Dwellingup to Etmilyn, along the state’s last surviving lightly built developmental railway. In the wider region, the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway also offers views from the train windows, connected with the living history of the timber industry in the Murray region. The King Jarrah Walk Trail is another option in the wider area: its short loop is 4.4 kilometres long.

For families, Treetops Adventure in the forest is another specific option: it features nine long courses with more than 90 challenges and 23 flying foxes. People aged three and over can take part. So when choosing holiday accommodation in Dwellingup, you can first decide whether you want your trip to focus mainly on multi-day hiking, a range of trail activities, paddling, or discoveries in the forest and on the railway. The options described offer different points of reference, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one kind of holiday activity.

For the broader travel overview: Shire of Murray.