Transforming WA's old railway corridors into world-class trails that connect communities, grow regional economies, and give everyone amazing places to ride.
WHAT IS A TRAIL TRAIL?
Rail trails are shared-use paths built on (or parallel to) former, disused, or underused railway corridors. Because they follow old railway alignments, rail trails provide gentle gradients and even surfaces, which makes them accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Western Australia has over 2,000 kilometres of disused railway corridors across the south-west, largely intact and in public ownership. This presents a incredible opportunity to build a connected network of trails linking dozens of regional communities.
HOW COMMUNITIES BENEFIT
Evidence from completed rail trails across Australia and internationally demonstrates consistent economic, social, and environmental returns.
Riding is for everyone
500,000 West Australians ride a bike every week. Gentle gradients suit all ages and abilities. (NWCPS 2025)
Cycle tourism spend
$799 million was spent by cycling visitors in WA in 2024. Seven in ten trips involving cycling took place in regional Australia.
$998 per trip
$998 average spend per overnight cycle trip, over 4 nights, landing in smaller towns off the highway. (TRA 2024)
LET'S BUILD
The Wadandi Track is now under construction thanks to the WA Government’s commitment of $17.5 million to complete the Track as part of its $165 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism package.
When complete in mid-2028, the Wadandi Track will form a continuous 109km long-distance rail trail from Busselton Jetty to Flinders Bay in Augusta (source: Wadandi Track Tourism Opportunities Report, 2026).
With one flagship trail now being delivered, now is the perfect time to plan for what to build next.
WestCycle has identified six rail trails to prioritise for development, and we are advocating for an ongoing funding program to deliver and maintain them.
PRIORITY TRAILS FOR DEVELOPMENT
1. Albany to Nornalup Rail Trail
This trail runs through karri forest and farmland along the Southern Ocean. With nearly two-thirds already complete, building the remaining 47km sections will give Western Australia a coastal rail trail to match anything across Australia..(Image source: Trails WA)
2. Boddington to Narrogin Rail Trail
From the rolling hills of Boddington to the numbat haven of Dryandra Woodland and on to Narrogin, this trail will link one of WA's award winning trail towns to the Wheatbelt. (Image source: Explore Parks WA)
3. Wyalkatchem to Nungarin (Wheatbelt Way Rail Trail)
The proposed 76km rail trail between Wyalkatchem and Nungarin follows a historic corridor through the north eastern Wheatbelt, showcasing small historic towns, big-sky landscapes and authentic country hospitality.(Image source: Shire of Trayning)
4. Bunbury to Northcliffe
A 203km corridor runs the length of the South West passing orchards, karri forest, and old timber towns of Donnybrook, Balingup, Bridgetown, Greenbushes, Manjimup, Pemberton and Northcliffe. (Image source: Visit Northcliffe, WA)
5. Perth Hinterland Rail Trails
Take the train to Midland, Beckenham or Byford and then ride up to the Perth hills. Only 32km of new trails is needed to close the gaps between the metro bike path network and gravel trails on Perth's doorstep, including the Munda Biddi. (Image source: Trails WA)
6. Northam to Collie (Wheatbelt Rail Trail)
This corridor runs from the Kep Track near Northam, through the central Wheatbelt towns of York, Beverley, Brookton, Pingelly, Cuballing, Narrogin, Williams and Darkan to the forests and trails near Collie. Sixty-three kilometres, built by locals, is already open between Collie and Dardadine. (Image source: Astrid Volzke / Shire of West Arthur)
RIDE A TRAIL TODAY
Want to get out on a trail now? Explore trails already open across WA with route maps and advice from:
RESOURCES
Useful guides and toolkits for anyone working on a rail trail project.
REFERENCES
National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey, 2025
$799 million was spent by cycling visitors in WA in 2024. Seven in ten trips involving cycling took place in regional Australia. Source: Cycle tourism in Australia, 2025
Tourism Research Australia
Wadandi Track Tourism Opportunities Report, 2026
