Location:
Length:
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Public Transport:
Suitable for:- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential Rail Trail
- Other Trail
- Former Railway
- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential RT
- Other Trail
- Former Railway
- showcases the heritage of the former Busselton to Flinders Bay Railway, including the industries and communities it served from 1884 to 1957
- open to walkers and cyclists
- allows visitors to experience the diversity of the Margaret River Region, including local history, Aboriginal and heritage values, natural environment and local industries
- users are treated to forests, plantations, vineyards, agricultural land and granite outcrops
- located in one of world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, the track is an excellent place to see some of the flora and fauna found in Australia’s southwest
Nearby Attractions
- historic Busselton jetty precinct
- scenic forests and farmland
- wineries and breweries
- shops and services in the towns of Cowaramup, Margaret River and Witchcliffe
- an extensive network of MTB trails just north of Margaret River
- connecting trails including the Ten Mile Brook Trail and Darch Trail
Last updated: 6 March 2023
Formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail, the Wadandi Track is a partially complete rail trail in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste region of Western Australia. The track is situated on the alignment of the 108 km railway that once linked Busselton to Augusta.
Two sections of the track are currently open – Busselton Jetty to Carbanup River (which is mainly asphalt), and Cowaramup to Vlam Road (which is mainly gravel).
Section Guides
Busselton Jetty to Carbanup River (16.4 km)
The northern part of the trail begins near Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The official northern trailhead is at Railway House, which houses the historic Ballaarat Engine, the oldest surviving Australian-built locomotive.
Leaving the Busselton Jetty precinct, the track heads west, following the original railway alignment along the Geographe Bay foreshore. The trail crosses the bridge at the Vasse River Diversion before turning inland near the Busselton Health Campus. The route continues through the Broadwater Nature Reserve wetlands before turning west to run parallel to the Busselton Bypass.
The trail enters the residential village of Vasse to meet the next trailhead. Just west of Vasse, the trail transitions from asphalt to gravel and continues west to Carbanup River near the site of the former Marybrook siding.
The section between Carbanup River and Cowaramup is yet to be developed.
Cowaramup to Vlam Road (37.3 km)
The southern part of the trail begins at the corner of Memorial Drive and Sunset Drive in Cowaramup. Heading south toward Margaret River, the trail winds through a bushland corridor and crosses several creeks. Just north of Carters Rd the trail provides access to the Margaret River MTB area.
After crossing Carters Rd the trail passes along the western side of Margaret River. The town centre can be reached along Turnbridge St or the cycleway on Wallcliffe Rd.
South of Margaret River the trail passes through forest, scrub and open farmland before arriving the small town of Witchcliffe.
While the official southern trailhead is currently at Calgardup Rd, the railway alignment can be traced along Harrison Rd and Boulter Rd all the way to Vlam Road.
Witchcliffe 2015
Witchcliffe 2015
Witchcliffe 2015
North of Margaret River 2006
Bridge on the trail between Margaret River and Cowaramup
The trail near Cowaramup 2006
Near its northern end, the trail passes through farmland 2006
Trail between Margaret River and Cowaramup
Bridge on the trail between Margaret River and Cowaramup 2006
North of Margaret River two new bridges have been built over the timber rail bridges so they can be retained 2009
Some locals on the trail south of Margaret River 2009
On the trail, north of Gnarawary Rd
Wadandi track - south of Margaret River
One of several creek crossings north of Margaret River
Road crossing
Cowaramup - aka "Cow Town"
adandi track - south of Margaret River
adandi track - south of Margaret River
Information and Links
See Services tab above for links to services and businesses along this trail
For more information:
The trail is managed by the City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta Margaret River. To report issues or problems please contact:
- City of Busselton: (08) 9781 0444
- Shire of Augusta Margaret River: (08) 9780 5255
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email wa@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
Rail Trails Australia acknowledges the Wadandi people of the Noongar Nation, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which this rail trail is built.
Development and future of the rail trail
The City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta Margaret River are making incremental extensions to the trail. When complete, the Wadandi Track will stretch all the way from Busselton to Augusta. A section located to the north of Cowaramup is currently in development.
Rail line history
From 1881 to 1913 a network of railway lines carried timber from the south west forests to ports at Flinders Bay and Hamelin Bay. When the timber industry declined, the WA Government purchased the Margaret River to Flinders Bay line, which lay idle before it was upgraded and extended to link Busselton with Flinders Bay in 1925. The railway served agricultural and tourism industries, carrying everything from milk to mail and potatoes to passengers. Train services ended in 1957. Following the line’s official closure in 1965, most of the infrastructure was removed.
New study finds Wadandi Track will have enormous benefits for the community
Posted: 06/03/23
The Wadandi Track (formerly known as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail) is a partially complete ...
More...Rail Trail Near Margaret River Western Australia Extended
Posted: 04/11/15
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River will be officially opening the recently completed 4.5km extension ...
More...Nearby Trails
Ten Mile Brook Trail
270km south of Perth
7 km
Darch Trail
270 km south of Perth
3 km
Sidings Rail Trail
97 km south of Bunbury
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Old Timberline Trail
97km south of Bunbury
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Manjimup to Deanmill Heritage Trail
290 km south of Perth
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Manjimup Linear Path
290 km south of Perth
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Nearby Trails
Ten Mile Brook Trail
270km south of Perth
7 km
Darch Trail
270 km south of Perth
3 km
Sidings Rail Trail
97 km south of Bunbury
26 km
Old Timberline Trail
97km south of Bunbury
20 km
Manjimup to Deanmill Heritage Trail
290 km south of Perth
6 km
Manjimup Linear Path
290 km south of Perth
4 km
2 reviews of “Wadandi Track”
In addition to the northern part out of Busselton, my partner and I have now cycled most of the southern/middle part of the Wadandi trail: Cowaramup to Witchcliffe return, via Margaret River. The part north of MR is mainly through forest, whereas south of MR takes you through forest but also open cattle/dairy country. We enjoyed a coffee stop in Cowaramup, and even more so at the Yardbyrd cafe in Witchcliffe; top marks for that one!
The trail in general lacks way-finding signs at times, and opposed to many Victorian trails, we're yet to experience regular distance signs (several Vic trails have signs every km, marking the distance to and from your destination).
The track is made up of compacted gravel, but can do with some maintenance in places: we cycled the day after we'd had 5-10 mm of rain, and found ourselves cycling on the path in what at times resembled a shallow creek. Lots of silt and composted/mud-like material throughout the path in the forested area. The base of the trail is fine, just need some cleaning up and diversion of water.
Would be a fantastic experience if the full length of railway from Augusta to Busselton one day is fully converted!
Cycled the northern part, Busselton Jetty to Carbanup River, on a somewhat windy spring day. However, good tree cover protected us from most of the head winds. Great paved surface apart from the last 2 km, and the entire route is as good as dead flat. Saw heaps of kangaroos in cow paddocks, and a few black cockatoos towards the western end of the trail. The one thing that needs improvement is signage. We got a bit lost going through West Busselton suburbia, and had to rely on google maps, due to no signage in that area. Only around Vasse did we strike signs. All in all a great little stretch, which on top of that links up with paths at Vasse that take you out to the coast, with the option to cycle along the coast back to the jetty, along cycle and shared paths. Making for a ca 30 km circular route. Vasse, btw, makes for a nice coffee stop across the road from Coles.