I arrived in Cowaramup early, ready for my ride on the 23 kilometre Wadandi Track. My plan was to ride to the half-way point at Margaret River. Once there, I would decide whether I felt like continuing to Witchcliffe before returning the way I had come.
History of the Wadandi Track
This rail trail follows an old railway line which was completed in 1924. Until recently it was known variously as the Busselton-Flinders Bay Rail Trail, the Margaret River Rail Trail or “Rails to Trails”.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, which maintains the trail, changed the name to “Wadandi Track” in 2015 in recognition of the indigenous Wadandi (also spelt Wardandi) people, the traditional owners of the land.
Cowaramup
Cowaramup was founded in the 1920s under the West Australian Group Settlement Scheme . This program aimed to attract immigrants, mainly from Britain, to set up a dairy industry in the high rainfall area of the south-west.
The name of the town came from an indigenous word “cowara” meaning purple-crowned lorikeet. However, locals soon abbreviated this to “Cowtown”.
These days, Cowaramup is notable for over 40 cow sculptures grazing around the town.
Cowaramup to Margaret River (14 kms)
The trail started quietly with a modest sign at the end of Memorial Drive.
Very soon I was following a nicely formed track with farmland on one side and forest on the other.
As I continued, the farmland disappeared and I was surrounded by beautiful forest.
The terrain alternated between rainforest with a fern understory and a sparser, dry forest with grass trees.
After about nine kilometres, a series of wooden and then steel bridges crossed tributaries of the Margaret River.
The steel bridges were built over the former trestle foundations.
I liked being able to see the wooden structure underneath.
When I arrived at Margaret River, I took a two kilometre detour into town to visit my favorite coffee shop, Urban Bean.
Margaret River to Witchcliffe (10 kms)
I felt good after my coffee, so I decided to continue to Witchcliffe. As I rode on, I noticed that the terrain became drier.
About six and a half kilometres south of Margaret River, I encountered a diversion from the former railway line. The track headed down to a creek bed and up the other side.
The Margaret River region is the foremost wine region in Western Australia. I was expecting the rail trail to border vineyards. However, there was only one section where I could see a vineyard. Unfortunately, the vines were too far away for me to get a good photo.
Another thing that surprised me about the Wadandi Track is that there were few “Wadandi Track” signs. The signage was more commonly “Rails to Trails”. No doubt this was because of the name change in 2015, but it was a bit confusing for a non-local.
Witchcliffe
After ten kilometres I arrived in Witchcliffe, a timber town established in 1923.
I was ready for something to eat now, so I called in to Witchy Pies, where I bought a delicious wrap. The baker and his daughter obligingly agreed to pose for a photo for me.
My return trip on the Wadandi Track was relatively quick and easy. By the time I arrived in Cowaramup, I had cycled 53 kilometres and climbed 451 metres.
An excellent reference for the Wadandi Track is the Follow My Ride website.
To read about other WA rail trails, see my post on 5 Wonderful WA Rail Trails.
