Wilderness Ocean Walk (WOW) Trail – Stage 2 Now OPEN
Between Denmark Windfarm and Sinker Bay
We acknowledge the Menang people of the Noongar nation as the Traditional Owners of the land through which the trail passes.
TRAIL EXTENSION ON THE SOUTH COAST
Work has been completed on the extension of an important link trail that is part of the extended coastal trail network on the South Coast, near the community of Denmark.
The WOW Trail now extends between Sinker Bay (near Ocean Beach) and Greens Pool in William Bay National Park.
The extension of the WOW trail provides extensive uninterrupted views over the ocean and headlands, continuing to an integrated trail network that will provide an expanded local trails opportunity for residents and visitors.
WOW Trail Stage 2 alignment Credit Mel Humphris
WOW Trail Stage 2, which runs between Sinker Bay and the Denmark Windfarm, adds a further 3.23km of dual use coastal trail to the existing 9.7km of the dual use WOW Stage 1 alignment. This in turn, connects to the 2.6km William Bay Trail that runs between the popular swimming spot of Greens Pool and Waterfall Beach.
Binalup Aboriginal Rangers monitoring trail alignment and disturbance.
WOW Trail Lookout Credit Mel Humphris
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) took the lead in the project management, with funding provided through the WA Recovery Plan. Planning and delivery of this new section of trail was completed in partnership with the Shire of Denmark. Most of the new section of trail is on a Shire of Denmark reserve with a small portion of the trail aligned through the Denmark Windfarm lease.
The partners in the Project agreed to apply DBCA’s standard project management approach including use of the Disturbance Approval System (DAS), which also captured planning and approval requirements specific to local government.
The Assistant Director for Visitor Services in DBCA, Rod Annear, said, “we are really pleased that through a partnership with the Shire of Denmark, this project has produced such a quality outcome. This is a great community resource that will benefit the locals and tourists for years to come”.
Trail alignment inspection near Denmark Windfarm Credit Mel Humphris
Along with dieback mapping of the area, and flora and fauna surveys, there has been extensive consultation with the Traditional Owners with several on-site visits prior to the start of construction. An archaeological survey was undertaken to ensure there were no impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage and that information helped to inform the trail alignment.
Traditional owner monitors undertook Green Card training and were on-site during construction to ensure that any earth disturbance was kept to a minimum and that if any artifacts were turned up work would cease to allow a closer examination.
Viewing platforms and look out points have been provided for rest and reflection and signs added for interpretation of heritage, flora and fauna.
Project Partners, Shire of Denmark staff and Traditional Owner representatives
Planning is underway for the last section of trail between the Denmark Windfarm and Ocean Beach Road so construction can begin when funding becomes available.
It is envisaged that the long-distance Munda Biddi trail riders and the Bibbulmun Track walkers will also take advantage of the new alignment and use the specially hardened trail surface to travel closer to the coast for the spectacular views over the Southern Ocean.
For more information on the WOW Trail visit the Trails WA website and search for the WoW Trail Denmark – Trails WA
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