Denmark to Nornalup (including Wilsons Inlet) Rail Trail - Trail Description

Features

• A variety of coastal, forest, farmland and coast heathland views
• There are three sections of this trail currently open, Wilsons Inlet to Denmark, Denmark to Parker Rd, and Peaceful Bay Rd at Bow Bridge to Nornalup.
• There are four original timber rail bridges in use on the trail.
• As with many Western Australian rail trails, wild flowers abound in spring.
• The Torbay to Elleker Rail Trail is 20km east of Denmark.  This trail is part of the same old railway corridor.

Description

The trail is currently in three sections: -

Wilson Inlet to Denmark (7.5km)

• The trail passes through a range of coastal vegetation and offers beautiful views over the inlet. There is access to a couple of beaches along the way.
• Access to the start of the trail is adjacent to the South Coast Hwy on the western side of the Hay River (Moore River on some maps), just past Pratt, Hanwich or Keith Roads
• The trail joins Rudyard Place (a minor dirt road) for a short distance.
• On the section of the trail between Crusoe Beach Road and the highway and onto Hay River the surface is rougher than the Denmark end.
• The trail finishes at Denmark after crossing a bridge over the Denmark River.

• There are shelters and interpretive signs in this section

• East from the Hay River there is a cycling route on Keith, Hunwick and Sleeman Roads connecting to a route /shared path beside South Coast Highway and Lower Denmark Rd to Youngs Siding

Denmark is a medium size regional town with numerous facilities for visitors.  The foyer of the old Post Office has an information display including historical photos of the original Railway line being built.

Denmark River mouth on Inlet Drive is the trail hub and accessed adjacent to the Denmark Caravan Park at the southern end of Hollings Rd. It is where the Denmark River flows into the Wilson Inlet, and this is where the Bibbulmun track, the Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Trail, the Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail, the Mokare Trail and still other Denmark walk trails meet and intersect.

Wilson inlet has an area of about 48 square kilometres. A sand bar forms at the mouth of the inlet meaning that for much of the year the inlet is isolated from the sea.

 Denmark to Parker Rd (33km)

• From the Denmark River mouth the trail passes the site of the original (second!) station site that still has some reminders of the railway including some historical railway wagons.

• The trail west towards Nornalup may be boggy or sandy in some sections and is for keener cyclists only, though work is gradually been done to improve the quality of the surface.
• This section of trail currently ends at Parker Rd near the South Coast Hwy. 

• The 11km missing link between Bow Bridge and Parker Rd can be made by using the South Coast Highway.

 There are no facilities at Parker Rd.

Bow River to Nornalup (14km)

• Access to the trail head at Bow Bridge is approx 1.5km south from South Coast Hwy on Peaceful Bay Rd.
• The surface is still rough and/or sandy in places.
• The last 4 km into Nornalup follows Station Road and finishes 2 km out of the centre of Nornalup.

Nornalup is a small town with a few facilities for visitors

Background Information

The South Coast Railway was built by private contractors in three stages. The Millars built the first stage from Elleker to Torbay in 1884. Then they commenced sawmilling in Denmark, and so extended the line to there in 1985. The Group Settlement Scheme started in Denmark in 1923, and because roads were non-existent and road transport was rare, there was a demand to extend the line to Nornalup, which was completed in 1929. The whole line had many cuttings and embankments, and was built entirely by hand, with pick and shovel and horse drawn drays.

 After the Second World War, the motor car had become more popular, roads were being built and improved, and the railway line from Elleker to Nornalup closed in 1954.

 Construction of the rail trail began in the 1990s and has been driven by Greenskills and the Denmark Shire Council.

In the 14km section between Parker Rd and Bow Bridge some parts are being gradually developed. It is hoped this will be opened in the future, perhaps when it becomes part of the Munda Biddi trail when that trail is extended to Albany.

Links

The trail is managed by the Denmark Shire: 953 South Coast Highway, Denmark
Ph. (08) 9848 0300, email enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au or www.denmark.wa.gov.au

 A brochure including a map is available from Denmark Tourism Incorporated ph 08 9848 2055

Further information can be obtained from the links below

1. Denmark Tourist Bureau www.denmarkwa.asn.au/walking.htm
2. Greenskills Inc (Project Managers) www.greenskills.org.au/
3. Rainbow Coast visitors guide www.rainbowcoast.com.au/areas/denmark/wilsoninlet.htm

August 2018

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Contact Us About This Trail

Email or click here: wa@railtrails.org.au.