The Great Southern Adventure Trails project is part of the McGowan Government’s $5.5b WA Recovery Plan. Funding from this initiative will be used for the planning, design, construction, branding and marketing of a mix of high quality, purpose-built trail developments across the Great Southern Region that will enable visitors and locals alike to explore, enjoy and appreciate this fascinating and unique region.  

All construction works for the trails and supporting infrastructure will be tendered by DBCA in accordance with standard State government procurement processes. Where possible, local content preferences will be added to procurement processes. 

This project aims to establish several trail developments including high quality and increased accessibility trails, supported by financially sustainable management models.

The overall objective of this project is to construct and market a range of regionally significant trail facilities that will establish the Great Southern as a nationally significant trails destination for mountain bikers, trail walkers and trail runners. It will also provide the Great Southern community with a diverse range of recreation and business opportunities.  

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’. 

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

DBCA will consult closely with traditional owners in the planning and construction of new trails and facilities. The trail network is being developed to protect 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 Great Southern Adventure Trails initiative will be managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). The project is also supported by a range of key stakeholders including the Outdoors Great Southern (formerly GSCORE), the Western Australian Mountain Bike Association (WAMBA), WestCycle, Trails WA, Munda Biddi Foundation, Australia’s Southwest, the Bibbulmun Track Foundation, Shire of Plantagenet, Shire of Denmark, Shire of Manjimup, City of Albany, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. 

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

• Create high quality visitor attractions in the South West region by establishing nationally significant adventure trail opportunities that will help to 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 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 the South West 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 or upgraded;
• 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.

No. All land tenure will be either State Government or Local Government (LGA).

The trails will allow greater community access to engage with the region’s natural environment and cultural heritage, and therefore learn about and appreciate the importance of these values. Interpretative signage and other print and digital information products will raise awareness and connect trail users to opportunities to support environmental and cultural advocacy.