Know Before You Go
Dwellingup Travel Tips & FAQs
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Easy Adventures
Frequently Asked Questions
Dwellingup
Dwellingup is a great destination for year-round adventures.
- Summer (December - February) is hot, so hike or ride early then head to the Murray River for water-based adventures.
- Autumn (March - May) is more mild conditions and ideal for exploring the trails.
- Winter (June - August) in Dwellingup is beatuiful. Misty mornings, fast-water rafting on the river, crackling fireplaces. It can get quite cold, so pack a few extra layers.
- Spring (September - November) is filled with green landscapes and a sprinkling of wildflowers on the trails surrounding town.
Yes. Dwellingup Trails & Visitor Centre, located on Marinup Street, is open 9am - 4pm, 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day). Nearby, you'll find Dwellingup pump track, skate park, Dwellingup Community Hotel and the station for Hotham Valley Railway.
There is ample parking, including disabled parking bays and space for vehicles with caravans.
Dwellingup is a great destination for both a day trip, or a multi-day adventure.
Many visitors enjoy a full day exploring the town and trails, while overnight stays allow more relaxed exploration (and more time on the trails!).
Yes. Dwellingup is a very family-friendly holiday destination. Families can enjoy nature play, short walking trails, river activities, picnic areas, campgrounds, playgrounds and family-friendly cycling trails. Treetops Adventure high ropes course and the Forest Discovery Centre are both popular attractions for families.
Visit the Dwellingup Trails & Visitor Centre for more recommendations suited for your family.
Dwellingup is officially accredited as a Trail Town by Trails WA - a destination where trails are woven into the heart of the community and visitor experience.
Rather than simply being a place with a few walking tracks, Dwellingup is a hub where visitors can easily access a diverse network of trails, including hiking, mountain biking, paddling, 4WD or horse riding.
As a Trail Town, Dwellingup offers:
- Access to world-class trails including the Bibbulmun Track, Munda Biddi Trail and the Dwellingup Adventure Trails network.
- Trail-friendly services such as accommodation, cafés, visitor information and local businesses that cater to outdoor adventurers.
- Experiences for all abilities, from short family-friendly walks and beginner bike trails to challenging black-rated adventures.
In Dwellingup town centre, you'll find easy access to trail facilities including bike racks throughout the town, bike tool trees, free warm showers, bike wash down facilities plus lockers and laundry facilities near the Trails & Visitor Centre.
Yes. Hotham Valley Railway operates heritage locomotives departing Dwellingup station, year-round.
The Steam Train operates on Sundays between May and October, plus additional days during school holidays. The diesel open-air Forest Train operates on weekends year-round, plus additional days during school holidays.
Advanced bookings are essential. Check the Hotham Valley Railway website for details and timings.
Dwellingup hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
Popular annual events include the Dwellingup 100, Mighty Jarrah Trail Run, Hotham Valley Railway Anniversary Festival and Dwellingup Log Chop.
Check out the events calendar for a complete list of upcoming festivals and events.
Yes. Dwellingup is home to some of the most unique wedding and special event venues near Perth. From intimate forest settings to stunning private estates, Dwellingup offers a variety of venues to suit every couple’s dream wedding.
Read more about weddings in Dwellingup, and start planning your destination wedding close to home.
The closest EV charge points is 25km north of Dwellingup at the North Dandalup Ampol petrol station (4267 South West Highway). Heading west, Ampol Foodary North Yunderup (868 Pinjarra Rd) also has a charging point.
There are also charging points located at the Mandarah Forum shopping centre (3303 Pinjarra Rd, Mandurah), and Boddington shire administration building (39 Bannister Road, Boddington).
Lane Poole Reserve
Popular activities in Lane Poole Reserve include camping, mountain biking and hiking the Dwellingup Adventure Trails. The Murray River and Day Use Areas provide the opportunity for riverside picnics, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing plus, fast water rafting in the winter months. High-ropes course, Treetops Adventure Dwellingup, is also located on the outskirts of Lane Poole Reserve.
Lane Poole Reserve is a biodiversity haven making it a great location for birdwatching, spotting wildlife, immersing in nature and scenic drives.
Dogs are allowed in the recreation area of Lane Poole Reserve but must be kept in control and on a leash at all times.
Please note, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife.
Getting to Lane Poole Reserve from Dwellingup is easy.
From Dwellingup town centre, travel 1.5kms east on McLarty Street (Pinjarra-Williams Road). Turn right down Nanga Road. Follow the signs for Lane Poole Reserve along Nanga Road for 7km until you reach the park entry station on your left-hand side. If you cross the bridge, you have gone too far!
Yes, standard park entry fees apply to vehicles entering Lane Poole Reserve. EFTPOS payment facilities are available at both the main Lane Poole Reserve Entry station, and the Nanga entry station.
If you visit Western Australian parks and reserves often, you may wish to purchase an annual park pass. These are available online through DBCA or instore at Dwellingup Trails & Visitor Centre.
Entry fees do not apply if you walk or cycle into a park. For more information, visit the DBCA Park Entry Fees website.
Lane Poole Reserve camping is managed by DBCA and can be booked on their ParkStay website. Nanga Mill and Nanga Townsite do not require bookings, it is first in best dressed.
No. There are no free camping areas in Dwellingup.
If you are seeking a free camp site, Pinjarra has a 24-hour rest stop (opposite the Premier Hotel) or Boddington has a 48-hour rest stop (located at Memorial Park).
Yes, camping fees apply at all campgrounds within Lane Poole Reserve. Fees are charged 'per person per night'. Camping fees do not apply for children aged 5 years and younger.
For campgrounds with online bookings, camping fees are payable by VISA or MasterCard when the booking is made. For Nanga Mill and Nanga Townsite, camping fees are paid to Park Staff or Rangers (cash preferred).
No, there is no opening or closing time for Lane Poole Reserve.
Any current alerts or closures will be posted on Parks and Wildlife's Park Alerts website.
Campfires are permitted seasonally within designated fire rings at most campgrounds within Lane Poole Reserve. Please note, campfires are always prohibited at Chuditch Campground.
Current campfire conditions can be checked online with DBCA. They are also displayed at the entry station on arrival to Lane Poole Reserve. If conditions demand, restrictions can be imposed without notice at any time or place. You must always comply with any instructions at campgrounds and parks.
Yes, an RV Dump Point facility is located near the Nanga Mill entry station.
There is also a RV Dump Point in town at the northern end of Dwellingup Oval, accessible from Wallace Road.
Mobile phone reception can be limited in some parts of Lane Poole Reserve. Generally, good mobile phone coverage is available can be at the Lane Poole Reserve entry station, along Park Road and at the top of the Murray Valley Trails Head "The Roost". It is recommended to check with your own mobile phone carrier if you have specific concerns.
Smartreka Maps, by WA Parks Foundation, make it easier for you to navigate your way around some of Western Australia's national parks, including Lane Poole Reserve. Before you go, download geo-referenced maps of Lane Poole Reserve to your mobile device and locate yourself without the internet.
