The Wadandi Track by bike
A gentle rail trail on the old Busselton to Flinders Bay railway. Today it's two separate sections: one from Busselton Jetty, and a longer one from Cowaramup through Margaret River to Witchcliffe and beyond. By about 2028 it should run unbroken to Augusta.
- Open now
- 46 km
- in two separate sections
- Southern section
- 31 km
- Cowaramup to Sebbes Road
- Grade
- Easy
- about 1% average gradient
- When finished
- ~110 km
- Busselton Jetty to Augusta, target 2028
Suits: families, e-bike riders and anyone on a hybrid or mountain bike. Wide, gentle and unsealed on the southern section, with cafés in the towns.
If you're going
- What's open
- Two pieces, 46 km in all. Busselton Jetty to Carbunup River (past Vasse), and 31 km from Cowaramup through Margaret River and Witchcliffe to Sebbes Road. There's no trail between Carbunup River and Cowaramup yet.
- Best first ride
- Margaret River to Witchcliffe: 8.7 km one way on gentle gravel, with a café or pub at each end. Turn around when the kids have had enough.
- Surface
- Hard, wide and unsealed on the southern section, with no steps or steep pinches. Some low spots get muddy in winter. A hybrid, gravel or mountain bike is ideal.
- Bring
- Water. No official source lists taps along the track, and there are no toilets between Witchcliffe and Sebbes Road.
- Dogs
- On a lead. No horses, motorbikes, fires or camping.
- Check first
- Work on new sections near Cowaramup and Sebbes Road is due to start in the coming months (announced August 2026). As of 8 October 2026 we found no closures. In fire season, check Emergency WA.
Who it suits
It's one of the easiest rides in the South West. If you can ride a bike, you can ride the Wadandi.
Families and kids
Wide, gentle and away from traffic, except for a 1.7 km stretch on Harrison Road south of Calgardup Road. Short out-and-backs from Margaret River or Witchcliffe work well.
E-bike riders
Ideal: gentle grades, and hire e-bikes are easy to find nearby. In WA, e-bike riders must be 16 or older.
Leisure riders and tourers
The full southern section is 31 km one way, and Cowaramup, Margaret River and Witchcliffe are 9 to 14 km apart. Pair it with a winery or café stop.
Gravel and mountain bikers
Easy riding, best as a link: the Carters Road car park is also the trailhead for The Pines and Wooditjup mountain bike trails.
Road bikes
We wouldn't. The southern section is unsealed and can be loose or muddy.
Map and sections
The southern section is 31.3 km in five legs, Cowaramup to Sebbes Road. Margaret River sits 14.4 km from the Cowaramup end.
Our drawing from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL), which doesn't yet show the last few kilometres to Sebbes Road. Not for navigation.
North: Busselton Jetty to Carbunup River
From the foot of Busselton Jetty, the track runs west along Geographe Bay and past Vasse to Carbunup River. The City of Busselton runs it.
Length and surface: neither council publishes this section's length or surface. We'll measure it on our ride and add the trailheads, toilets and taps here.
South: Cowaramup to Sebbes Road
| Leg | km | From Cowaramup |
|---|---|---|
| Cowaramup to Carters Road | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| Carters Road to Margaret River | 3.4 | 14.4 |
| Margaret River to Gnarawary Road | 4.1 | 18.5 |
| Gnarawary Road to Witchcliffe | 4.6 | 23.1 |
| Witchcliffe to Sebbes Road | 8.2 | 31.3 |
Leg distances from Trails WA; the running total is our sum. South of Calgardup Road the track shares Harrison Road with cars for 1.7 km (Shire brochure map).
Getting into town
- Cowaramup: through Pioneer Park and along Memorial Drive, about 500 m.
- Margaret River: the Wallcliffe Road path (about 1 km) or the Alfred Bussell Trail (about 1.2 km).
- Witchcliffe: west along Redgate Road, about 300 m.
Rides by length
For a short family ride, Margaret River to Gnarawary Road and back (8.2 km). For a half day, Cowaramup to Margaret River. For the lot, Cowaramup to Sebbes Road, 31.3 km one way.
| Ride | One way | Return | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret River to Gnarawary Road | 4.1 km | 8.2 km | Young kids, a first e-bike ride |
| Margaret River to Witchcliffe | 8.7 km | 17.4 km | Families, lunch in Witchcliffe |
| Cowaramup to Margaret River | 14.4 km | 28.8 km | Leisure riders |
| Cowaramup to Witchcliffe | 23.1 km | 46.2 km | A café-to-pub day; the guided tour's route |
| Cowaramup to Sebbes Road | 31.3 km | 62.6 km | Riders who want the whole southern section |
We're riding both sections in October 2026 and will add how long each took at a family pace and on an e-bike, where the shade runs out, and photos. Until then, every figure here comes from the councils and Trails WA.
Parking, toilets and food
Park at Rotary Park in Margaret River, the fire station trailhead in Cowaramup, or by the tennis courts in Witchcliffe. All three towns have toilets and food.
| Place | Parking | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
| Cowaramup | Bussell Highway, Hall Road, fire station trailhead | Fire station in Pioneer Park; Cowaramup Hall |
| Carters Road | Gravel car park (also The Pines MTB trailhead) | None listed |
| Margaret River | Rotary Park; Fearn Avenue behind the shops; Recreation Centre on Wallcliffe Road; Clarke Road by the old goods shed | Rotary Park, Old Settlement, Memorial Park, Fearn Avenue, Wallcliffe Road skate park |
| Gnarawary Road | Gravel car park | None listed |
| Witchcliffe | Bussell Highway; Redgate Road by the tennis courts | Bussell Highway |
| Sebbes Road | Not listed | None between Witchcliffe and Sebbes Road |
Cowaramup, Margaret River and Witchcliffe all have cafés, shops and picnic spots. No official source lists drinking taps on the track, so fill up in town.
Dogs, e-bikes and trail manners
Dogs are welcome on a lead. Legal e-bikes are fine, ridden by people 16 and over. Horses, motorbikes, fires and camping aren't allowed.
- Dogs: on a lead, per the Shire brochure and Trails WA. In the City of Busselton, dogs must be on a lead on all footpaths and shared paths.
- E-bikes: WA allows pedelecs to the EN 15194 standard (up to 250 W, assistance cutting out at 25 km/h) and other power-assisted bikes up to 200 W. Riders must be 16 or older. More powerful e-bikes are illegal on roads and paths. Neither council's Wadandi pages mention e-bikes.
- Trail manners (from the Shire's code, in brief): keep left; bikes give way to walkers; call out or ring before passing; give way when joining or crossing; stay on the track; leave gates as you find them; carry your rubbish out; don't ride in extreme weather; watch for snakes in the warmer months.
Getting there, and one-way rides
Most people drive. From Perth, Transwa's SW1 coach stops at Busselton and Margaret River and takes two bikes ($20 each, booked ahead). There's no trail shuttle, so a one-way ride needs a second car, a taxi or a tour.
- Transwa SW1 (East Perth to Augusta and Pemberton) stops in Busselton next to Albert Street Square and in Margaret River on Charles West Avenue. It doesn't stop at Cowaramup, Vasse or Witchcliffe. Bikes are $20, two per coach, front wheel off, booked by phone on 1300 662 205.
- South West Coach Lines (Perth to Margaret River via Busselton) carries bikes as freight under the coach for a flat fee, only if there's room; otherwise your bike follows on the next service with space.
- One way: ride from Margaret River and back, leave a car at each end, or take the guided tour below, which includes transport.
Bike hire and tours
Hire in Margaret River, or have bikes delivered anywhere from Busselton to Cowaramup. A guided e-bike tour from Cowaramup to Witchcliffe costs from $195.
Listed alphabetically, not ranked. Most don't publish hire prices, so ask when you book. We have no commercial arrangement with any of them.
- Burnside Bikes: delivers and collects e-bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, town bikes, baby seats and kids' trailers. Its delivery fees (undated): usually free in greater Busselton, $40 to Dunsborough or Yallingup, $50 to the Margaret River area including Cowaramup.
- Busselton Electric Bike Hire: e-bikes for a day or longer, in Busselton.
- Dunsborough Bike Shed, 10 Clark Street, Dunsborough: bike shop with hire.
- Life Cycle Bikes, Station Road, Margaret River: cruisers, electric hybrids, hardtails and e-MTBs by the half day, day or longer.
- On Track Mountain Biking: a guided e-bike tour of about 25 km from Cowaramup to Witchcliffe, about 4 hours, with the e-bike, helmet, guide and return transport included, from $195 (checked 8 October 2026). Lunch at the Witchcliffe pub is booked for you but paid separately. E-bike riders must be 16 or older.
When to ride
April to October, says Trails WA, with wildflowers from September to December. Winter rain leaves muddy patches, and summer brings heat and fire danger.
Autumn, Mar–May
Firm and mild. Trails WA's best months start in April.
Spring, Sep–Nov
Wildflowers. Bring insect repellent from October.
Winter, Jun–Aug
Rideable, but some poorly drained sections get muddy.
Summer, Dec–Feb
Ride early. Much of the corridor is forest, so check the fire danger rating and Emergency WA.
The extension to Augusta
The State Government is funding $17.5 million to join the track up: about 110 km from Busselton Jetty to Flinders Bay, Augusta, with a 2028 target. The first 24 km of new track went to contract in August 2026.
| Section | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Busselton Jetty to Carbunup River | not stated | Open |
| Carbunup River to Yelverton Road | 18 km | Planned for 2027–28; still being designed |
| Yelverton Road to Cowaramup | 13 km | Contract awarded August 2026; due 2026–27 |
| Cowaramup to Sebbes Road | 31 km | Open |
| Sebbes Road to Maze Road, Karridale | 11 km | Contract awarded August 2026; due 2026–27. Runs through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park |
| Maze Road to Flinders Bay | 21 km | Planned for 2027–28; still being designed |
- Who's building it: the City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure. Common Ground Trails won the first construction contract, announced on 20 August 2026, with work to start "within the coming months".
- What it'll be like: mostly compacted gravel or limestone, with new and rebuilt bridges, signs and interpretation. No new toilets or car parks are planned, and horses aren't in scope.
- Riding Busselton to Margaret River now: not on the trail. The 31 km between Carbunup River and Cowaramup isn't built, and the Bussell Highway is the road link. We wouldn't take children on it.
We'll update this table as sections open. Follow progress on the State Government's project page.
Country and history
The track is named for the Wadandi people, the Traditional Custodians of this coast. The Shire translates Wadandi as "People of the Sea".
The City of Busselton describes the area as Wadandi Boodja (Country) and the Wadandi as the saltwater people. Busselton's Aboriginal name is Undalup, after the Wadandi leader Undal. Under the South West Native Title Settlement, Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River are in the area of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation.
- 1880s M.C. Davies builds timber railways to jetties at Hamelin Bay and Flinders Bay.
- 1916–1925 The WA Government buys the Augusta to Margaret River line and extends it north to Busselton.
- 1957 The branch closes, and most of the rail and sleepers are taken up. Cuttings, embankments, bridges and a few sleepers survive along the track.
- 2015 The Shire renames the Busselton Flinders Bay Rail Trail as the Wadandi Track.
- 2024–2028 Funding to join the sections up and extend to Augusta; the first construction contract is awarded in August 2026.
Nearby rides
- The Pines and Wooditjup trails: mountain bike singletrack from the Carters Road car park on the Wadandi. Free, with no water at the trailhead. Trails WA.
- Meelup Regional Park, Dunsborough: dedicated mountain bike trails off Cape Naturaliste Road. Ride only the marked bike trails. Meelup Park.
- Sidings Rail Trail, Nannup: 26 km of smooth gravel, but St John Brook Bridge is closed with a 13.7 km diversion. No pets.
- All of them, and the rest of WA, are on our WA bike routes and rail trails page.
Questions people ask
How long is the Wadandi Track?
46 km is open now, in two sections. The southern section, Cowaramup to Sebbes Road, is 31 km. When the extension is finished, about 2028, it will be about 110 km from Busselton Jetty to Flinders Bay, Augusta.
Can you ride from Busselton to Margaret River on it?
Not yet. There's no trail between Carbunup River and Cowaramup. That 31 km is due to be built by about 2028.
Is the Wadandi Track sealed?
The southern section isn't. It's hard, wide gravel suited to hybrids, e-bikes and mountain bikes, and some parts get muddy in winter. We'll confirm the Busselton section's surface on our ride.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes, on a lead.
Can you ride it on an e-bike?
Yes. Legal e-bikes (pedelecs up to 250 W) are fine, and riders must be 16 or older under WA law.
Is there a Wadandi Track map PDF?
Yes, for the southern section. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River's Wadandi Track brochure (March 2023) has the map, leg distances, parking and toilets. Trails WA has a KML file you can load into most map apps.
Where does it start?
The northern section starts at Busselton Jetty; the southern one at Memorial Drive, Cowaramup. Margaret River's Rotary Park is the easiest place to join it with a car.
Is it hilly?
No. It's an old railway with about a 1% average gradient. It's a little steeper for short stretches where it leaves the original line.
Sources
How we made this guide. It's built from the official sources below, checked on 8 October 2026. We live nearby and are riding both sections in October; our notes and photos will be added here, with the date. If something's wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.
No commissions. Nothing on this page earns us money. If that changes, we'll say so next to the link.
- Shire of Augusta Margaret River: Wadandi Track brochure (March 2023), Wadandi Track policy, tracks and trails, expansion news (30 April 2026).
- City of Busselton: Walk, Bike, Hike & Discover, Aboriginal culture, dog exercise areas.
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure: Wadandi Track expansion (read 8 October 2026), project map (April 2026), project update (April 2026).
- WA Government media statement: Wadandi Track construction tender awarded (20 August 2026).
- Trails WA: Wadandi Track (leg distances, read 8 October 2026).
- Road Safety Commission: e-bike rules (November 2025).
- Noongar settlement: South West Native Title Settlement.
- Transport: Transwa SW1 coach and luggage; South West Coach Lines (read 8 October 2026).
- Operators' own websites, linked where they're mentioned above.
- Map: our drawing from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), data as at 8 October 2026.