The final phases (stages 2 and 3) of trail development have just opened in the popular Wambenger Trails network in Western Australia’s Wellington National Park. This new trail opening has added 47km (29mi) to the system, bringing the total trail distance up to almost 175km (108mi), making the Wambenger Trails the largest mountain bike trail system in Western Australia.
Collie is working to transform itself into a world-class MTB destination.
The Wambenger Trails are located near the town of Collie, and the recent trail expansion was “funded through the $10 million Collie Adventure Trails initiative,” according to a press release. This trail development initiative was one of the first major projects that Collie undertook to transform itself “into a world-class trail destination that can attract local, national and international tourists.”
We’ve seen many major trail systems open in Australia in recent years, but most of the developments we’ve spotted have been located close to the major population centers in Eastern Australia, or in Tasmania. Collie thinks it can cash in on the growing mountain bike tourism trend by serving riders in Western Australia. While it’s unlikely to draw many riders from Sydney or Melbourne, the 7,500-person hamlet of Collie is a mere two-hour drive from downtown Perth, home to over 2.3 million residents.
“Collie was recently accredited as one of Western Australia’s first Trails Towns, recognizing Collie as a trail tourism hotspot,” said Rod Annear, Assistant Director of Visitor Services for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA). Annear noted that “mountain biking continues to grow in popularity and is drawing more people to Collie for tourism and recreation.”
The trails in Collie have been in the works for quite some time. “Since 2005, State Government agencies have been planning for the construction of sanctioned, well-built, and sustainable mountain bike trails through the development of a [Western Australia] Mountain Bike Strategy, and Regional Trails Master Plans,” said Annear. The trail development in Wellington National Park has been in the works since 2015.
Stages 2 and 3 create key trail connections, complementing existing trails.
The Wambenger Trails make the most of the spectacular topography found in Wellington National Park. The area is “characterized by deep river valleys, majestic forests, and a picturesque river in a spectacular valley, [which] provides a perfect location for the development of an iconic trails destination,” according to Annear. The Collie River Valley is known for “its extensive granite outcrops and quiet river pools.”
The trails constructed in stages 2 and 3 link “Wellington Dam, Honeymoon Pool, and the existing mountain bike trail network at Mount Lennard,” according to Annear.
As such an extensive trail system, the Wambenger Trails naturally offer trail difficulties that run the gamut from beginner to expert. There are plenty of climbs and descents across the trail system. Some of the trails are renowned as technical downhills, and others are optimized for cross-country pedaling.
While all the trails have been professionally built by three companies out of Western Australia — Common Ground Trails, Magic Dirt, and Three Chillies Trail Design — the trail construction generally reflects a natural flavor, having “been constructed using in-situ materials within the construction corridor, such as rock slabs, rock gardens, and large log rides,” according to Annear. The trails were designed to “blend in and respect the sense of place and values of the areas that they are built in.”
When are you planning your trip to Collie?!
While some trail updates and improvements are still ongoing — most notably on the Jabitj Trail — the decades-long process of building one of Australia’s largest trail systems is, at long last, almost complete. With so many kilometers of singletrack to pedal, Collie’s Wambenger Trails are guaranteed to draw riders from Perth, Western Australia, and beyond.
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