Dwellingup (W.A.)
Dwellingup
Dwellingup is a town in Western Australia, located in a timber and fruit growing area in the Darling Range east-south-east of Pinjarra.
At the 2006 census, Dwellingup had a population of 346.
The charming country town of Dwellingup is located an hour and a half’s drive south of Perth. Set among pristine jarrah forest and water catchment areas, Dwellingup offers nature at its best.
Almost obliterated by the 1961 bushfires, Dwellingup has become a year round destination for many visitors. The Visitor Centre has a great exhibition detailing the rise and fall of the mills towns in the area and, the destruction of the bushfire.
Enjoy your outdoor activities in the natural setting of the Lane Poole Reserve along the banks of the Murray River. See the Forest Heritage Centre with its 60 metre platform in the canopy of the jarrah forest, or ride the timber route on the Hotham Valley Railway.
Dwellingup is one of the five townsites that the Bibbulmun Track (Western Australia’s world class, 1,000 kilometre walk trail) passes through. You’re bound to bump into fellow bushwalkers and nature lovers on this section of the track due to its close proximity to Perth and the lovely scenery on offer.
The new Munda Biddi mountain bike trail which begins in Mundaring and will eventually finish in Albany currently goes through Dwellingup as it meanders on its way to Collie. The trail passes through some very beautiful countryside and is becoming a highly regarded and popular trail for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Bushfires
In arguably Western Australia’s worst bushfire, many small surrounding communities in the area were destroyed including 132 houses in Dwellingup itself in the fires of 1961. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but 800 people were left homeless. The town was rebuilt.
Dwellingup experienced serious bushfires again over the weekend 3/4 February 2007. At least 14 houses were reported to have been destroyed. There was no loss of life.
Bauxite mining
Dwellingup is near the largest bauxite mine in the world at Huntly which supplies ore to the Pinjarra and Kwinana aluminium refineries.
Facilities
Dwellingup is also home to Nanga Bush Camp, a popular camp for senior primary schools and high schools. Some of the activities at Nanga Bush Camp include water rafting, night watching, a swimming area and bush tracks.
A wide range of accommodation providers offer facilities from bush tent camping, caravan park, bed & breakfast, cottages or luxury chalets. Hotham Valley Tourist Railway run regular steam hauled trains to Dwellingup and run the popular Etmylin Tramway on a regular timetable.
The world class Forest Heritage Centre offers a unique look at the areas forest heritage. Enjoy fine dining at the Millhouse Café and Chocolate Company, or the Community Hotel or perhaps grab some take away food.
Corporate and group activities include multi day camps or shorter one day activity structures. The shared outdoor recreation experience is a powerful tool for personal growth and team development. Dwellingup Adventures have the equipment and expertise to make your experience both challenging and enjoyable.
Dwellingup Adventures is an Accredited Tourism Business, an Aussie Host Gold Business, member of the Dwellingup Business Association and an Affiliated Organisational member of the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.
Dwellingup Adventures staff are certified to deliver the Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course.
Dwellingup Adventures is a member of Outdoors WA and aspires to the Outdoors WA Code of Ethics.
Dwellingup Adventures is situated in the heart of the town on Newton Street and offers a wide range of equipment for hire including canoes, rafts, mountain bikes and camping equipment. A number of self guided supported tours are available.
During winter the Murray River flows at it’s challenging best, offering everything from
fast water rafting through to exhilarating white water rafting
Corporate and group activities include multi day camps or shorter one day activity structures. The shared outdoor recreation experience is a powerful tool for personal growth and team development. Dwellingup Adventures have the equipment and expertise to make your experience both challenging and enjoyable.