The Spectacular (and somewhat secret) Wadandi Track

THE SPECTACULAR

(AND SOMEWHAT SECRET) Wadandi

Named for the traditional owners of the land, the Wadandi Track meanders through karri and marri eucalypts, farmland and vineyards. The track traverses approximately 110km from Busselton to Augusta, although recreational areas are located from Busselton to Vasse, and Cowaramup to Forest Grove. These accessible parts of the track are popular with locals but are somewhat of a hidden treasure for visitors.

Track

WORDS | SOPHIE MATHEWSON

The Wadandi Track takes you through postcard views that share a rich history of the land. And along the way excellent dining options abound. You can stop at a number of quality cafes and restaurants for coffee, local produce, craft beer or a glass of chardonnay.

A Brief History

The Wadandi Track was originally a Railway line, built in the 1880s by prominent businessman Maurice Coleman Davies. Rail lines would take timber from local mills to jetties in Hamelin and Flinders Bay in Augusta for export. Augusta Margaret River Shire Councillor (and biking enthusiast), Ian Earl, grew up in Cowaramup and remembers seeing the last train leave town in 1956 when he was just three years old. “I remember seeing it heading north, covered in branches and bunting. It seemed very big to me, but it was actually quite a small train.”

For a long time after that, the rail lines sat disused. Farmers would pull up the sleepers and use the tracks as fencing for their cattle, but there was no access for recreational walking for a number of years. In the early 2000s, local and state governments financed the development of what was then called the ‘Rails to Trails’. Since then, regular funding and a significant input from local volunteers, has seen the track progress year on year. In 2015, the ‘Rails to Trails’ was formally renamed the Wadandi Track – a name that recognises the region’s traditional custodians of the land, the Wadandi (Saltwater) people - who are one of the world’s longest and unbroken human occupations.

Experiencing the Wadandi Track

The Wadandi Track itself is quite flat, as the original Railway train loaded with timber

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Not only do you connect with nature, but you’re exposed to the region’s timber, farming and winemaking industries, and parts of cultural history that you might otherwise miss.

be a bit muddy and steeper along here but with the new bridges in this section, it’s a great ride in the warmer months.” Around Carters Road, another popular track, the Compartment 10, targets more intermediate and advanced riders, but Brookes says the Wadandi Track really is the more “achievable for everyone” option.

Brookes recommends reserving around two hours for a tour with Margaret River Mountain Bike Tours or you can block out half a day and include lunch and a cave tour. At time of press, he had just taken some visitors on a ride through the forest, stopped for lunch at the Margaret River Brewhouse, then finished with a tour at Mammoth Cave.

The Wadandi Track itself is really the highlight of these tours, offering glimpses of the region’s history. Old sleepers and rail lines can be spotted, and the Men’s Shed in Cowaramup rebuilt the original station house – so evidence of the Railway infrastructure can still be found. With some parts of the track now leased to adjoining landowners, you can also encounter farm animals or locally grown plantations. Brookes says that the Wadandi Track shows visitors a real behind-the-scenes version of the Margaret River Region. “Not only do you connect with nature, but you’re exposed to the region’s timber, farming and winemaking industries, and parts of cultural history that you might otherwise miss.”

Despite urban expansion happening across the region, the Wadandi Track is a remarkable resource that exists in such a way that you can travel from town to town without seeing a car. Continued efforts from dedicated notfor-profits, volunteers and government bodies will eventually see the whole route converted into accessible cycling tracks, allowing visitors to bike from Busselton all the way to Augusta. Keep that one on your bucket list!

Want more information?

Visit trailswa.com.au to find out detailed access points for the Wadandi Track in Busselton, Cowaramup and Margaret River. Or contact Margaret River Mountain Bike Tours to book a tour.