Dwellingup Adventure Trails

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A world class mountain biking hub in and around Dwellingup, featuring 40km of new trails, enhanced facilities and a new trails and visitor centre.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Dwellingup will be developed as a world class trails hub and trails destination within a unique forested natural environment and stunning river valley.

The picturesque town of Dwellingup is within easy driving distance from Perth and Mandurah making it an ideal location for day trip and overnight adventure activity for families, trail enthusiasts and international event participants. Dwellingup is already recognised for adventure tourism receiving in excess of 250,000 visitors a year, 80% of whom camp at the popular Lane Poole Reserve and are focused on family oriented outdoor nature experiences.

There is a range of walking, mountain biking, four-wheel drive and canoe trails in the area as well as the internationally recognised Munda Biddi Trail and Bibbulmun Track. The initiative will develop new trails and facilities that will showcase the area’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage, and make a significant economic contribution to the region.

 

Photos copyright MTBGuidebook.com (top of page) and Shire of Murray/Josh Cowling (above)

PROJECT OVERVIEW

TRAILS AND FACILITIES

The Dwellingup Adventure Trails initiative includes:

  • Construction of 32km of new, dedicated single track mountain bike trail and 8km of new Munda Biddi Trail single track.
  • Installation of new canoe launching facilities at Island Pool, providing access to 10km of canoe trails.
  • Upgrades to the Captain Fawcett 4WD track.
  • Sealing of roads through Lane Poole Reserve to create a scenic drive.
  • Enhancements of the Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell) day use area, including an 80m suspension bridge over the Murray River, new trail centre and expanded parking.

 

With the completion of the new mountain bike trails, which add to the existing Marrinup and Turner Hill circuits, there will be around 60km of dedicated single-track mountain bike trail in and around Dwellingup, all connected by an improved realignment of the Munda Biddi Trail.

New canoe launching facilities will enhance the existing paddling opportunities on the Murray River, allowing paddlers to launch at Island Pool and paddle 10km downstream to Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell) and the new trail centre and suspension bridge being built there.

The new bridge will not only provide access to the extensive mountain bike trail network on the southern side of the river, but also allow visitors to enjoy expansive views of the river valley and the rocky rapids below.

Sealing of gravel roads will provide access to a scenic drive through the Lane Poole Reserve at all times of the year, including the wet winter months when the Murray River is in full flood.

Improvements to the Captain Fawcett 4WD Track will provide year-round access, allowing four-wheel drivers to explore the wilder side of the Murray River along the old historic timber railway formations.

TIMELINE

The Dwellingup Adventure Trails Project will run for 3 years, commencing in May 2019 with trail construction works in Lane Poole Reserve. The remaining trail and infrastructure works progressively delivered over the three years.

ENVIRONMENTAL and CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

The tall forests and flowing rivers around Dwellingup are a very special place, being culturally significant to the Noongar traditional owners, and to the wider community. The Lane Poole Reserve is a popular holiday spot, with over 200,000 visitors each year.

All trails being built as part of the Dwellingup Adventure Trails initiative will be planned and developed in accordance with the eight-step Trail Development Process.

 

Environmental and cultural considerations such as Phytophthora dieback, flora, fauna and heritage (both Aboriginal and European) will be assessed in detail, with the trails designed to minimise impacts on these important values.

Trails will be built using best practice construction techniques to ensure the highest quality, maximum sustainability, minimal maintenance and maximum fun!

TOURISM AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS

The Dwellingup Adventure Trails initiative has the potential to revitalise Dwellingup, attracting new visitors, encouraging new businesses, and increased tourism activity.

It is anticipated that the trails will be used by:

  • Local residents,
  • Visitors to the region seeking nature-based and adventure tourism opportunities and,
  • State, national and international mountain bike riders.

 

It is conservatively estimated that the project will bring an additional 23,000 visitors to Dwellingup each year.

This presents a significant opportunity for businesses to grow their customer base and profits, as the increased visitation will generate an additional $4 million of economic spend in the Dwellingup area, and create an extra 125 jobs in construction and tourism.

DOCUMENTS AND MAPS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The total budget for the Dwellingup Adventure Trails project is $8.4 million.

The project is being funded through a $3.4 million ‘Federal Government Building Better Regions’ grant to the Shire of Murray, and $4.9 million from the State government via the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

All construction works for the trails and supporting infrastructure will be tendered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in accordance with standard state government procurement processes.

Where possible, local content preferences will be added to procurement processes.

It is conservatively estimated the Dwellingup Adventure Trails project will bring an additional 23,000 visitors annually to Dwellingup.

This equates to approximately $4 million in economic spend within the area annually, and presents a significant opportunity for existing businesses to expand, and new business to be created.

Throughout the project, opportunities will be provided for local businesses to be involved in the project. As more trails are built and the project moves toward an operational phase, workshops will be conducted to help local businesses get ‘trail ready’.

The primary trailhead will be located at the new Dwellingup Adventure Trail Centre in Dwellingup. Secondary trailheads will be provided at various locations on the trail networks, including Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell) day use area in Lane Poole Reserve.

All trails will be planned and designed following the eight-step Trail Development Process to ensure environmental and heritage values are protected.

The planned suspension bridge at Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell) day use site in Lane Poole Reserve will cross over the Murray River, which is a registered Aboriginal heritage site. Staff from DBCA are currently consulting with traditional owners in the initial planning for the bridge.

DBCA are also consulting closely with traditional owners in the construction of the new canoe-launching facilities, including engaging site monitors during construction works in the river.

DBCA has previously consulted with traditional owners in the trail concept planning of the 30km mountain bike trail network in Lane Poole Reserve. The trail network has been planned around identified heritage sites and does not impact on them.

A sustainable business model will be developed and implemented at the same time as the trails are developed. DBCA will work with local government, volunteers and the MTB community to implement the model and maintain the trails.

The trails will primarily be for mountain bike use only, however they may be used for trail running events.

The project is being jointly managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Shire of Murray (SOM). DBCA is coordinating the trail and infrastructure development, and the SOM coordinating the tourism and marketing.

The implementation of the project is being overseen by a Project Steering Group, with members being drawn from DBCA, SOM, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Peel Development Commission, Tourism WA and the Dwellingup Community Compact.

The Dwellingup Adventure Trails are expected to create the following community benefits:

  • Create world class visitor attractions in the Peel region by establishing nationally significant mountain bike trail networks that will grow and sustain the tourism economy;
  • Create marketable trail products that appeal to a broad cross section of tourists while also catering for trail enthusiasts;
  • Establish marketable mountain bike trail products that enable the holding of national and international events;
  • Deliver an integrated tourism experience across the region that will increase the total number of visitors to the region, increase the number of repeat visits, and extend the length of stay;
  • Stimulate local tourism economies in the region (e.g. accommodation, retail and hospitality);
  • Establish new businesses after construction that support adventure and eco-tourism trail experiences;
  • Raise local, State, national and international recognition and awareness of the region’s natural amenities, heritage, adventure and eco-tourism assets and its outstanding biodiversity;
  • Provide trail facilities that will improve the lifestyle and community amenity for Peel region residents;
  • Establish best practice trail development and management that minimises impact on the natural environment;
  • During construction, direct employment and flow-on permanent employment post-construction for tourism businesses, accommodation and associated service businesses and trail maintenance;
  • Post construction potential to stimulate permanent ongoing employment through businesses supporting the activity and other visitor services industries such as bike hire, trail maintenance, accommodation and hospitality;
  • A level of rider accessibility, challenge and enjoyment consistent with rider expectations and needs;
  • Improved visitor satisfaction in parks and towns where trail infrastructure is established;
  • Develop a sense of ownership by local trails groups and volunteers to support ongoing trail maintenance;
  • Facilitate the aspirations of the local Aboriginal community in terms of training, employment, heritage interpretation and business development; and
  • Potential for development of a range of mobile and web-based applications and online resources for trail users.

The Shire of Murray is well advanced in the construction of the Dwellingup Adventure Trail Centre in Dwellingup. A new pump track and skateboard park have already been constructed, and improvements to the Hotham Valley Railway are in progress.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will also be developing a simple trail centre at the Dwaarlindjirraap (Baden Powell) day use area, to service the trail network in Lane Poole Reserve.

No trails are currently being planned for private land.

The trails will allow greater community access to engage with the natural environment, and therefore learn about it and value it. Along the trails there will be innovative education and interpretation signage and opportunities to support environmental and cultural awareness and advocacy.

Mountain bike trails will generally be between 600mm and 1200mm wide and naturally surfaced. In order to minimise erosion and future maintenance, sections of the trail network may have to be hardened, using materials such as gravel, rock and stabilising treatments.

No walking trails are planned to be closed, however there may be sections of dual-purpose trail required in high conservation areas of Wellington National Park and Westralia Conservation Park. DBCA’s trail planning aims to ensure that both walking trails and proposed mountain bike trails co-exist respectfully and safely.

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

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