Find the best walks in Donnybrook-Balingup

Donnybrook-Balingup is surrounded by stunning forests, winding rivers, rolling hills, vineyards and lush orchards, making it one of Bunbury Geographe’s best sub-regions to explore by foot.

Rural-meets-bush-meets-forest in Donnybrook-Balingup, one of our favourite places to explore in Bunbury Geographe. It’s particularly spectacular in Autumn and Spring, when the different landscapes burst with colour. Discover some of the best walks in Donnybrook-Balingup below.

Golden Valley Tree Park

Home to more than 3000 trees, the Golden Valley Tree Park is the largest arboretum in Western Australia. Within the park’s 60 hectares you’ll find six leisurely walking trails, which weave past all manner of trees. Our favourites (arguably some of the best walks in Donnybrook-Balingup) include the Oak Grove Walk, Pear Walk and the Wattle Walk. Spend the morning, afternoon or all day at this beautiful park and soak in the region’s rural countryside. Dogs on lead only.

Start at Golden Valley Tree Park

Grimwade Road Circuit

Interested in tackling part of the Bibbulmun Track? The Grimwade Road Circuit is a nice introduction to the 1000 kilometre-long hiker’s dream – a one-day walk that starts and finishes in Balingup townsite and takes you through towering jarrah forest and pine plantations. The circuit traverses a section of the track just north of the townsite and covers approximately 12km.

Start at Balingup General Store

Wright’s Bridge

Nestled on the banks of the Blackwood River, you will find the popular DPAW campsite of Wright’s Bridge. with camping and picnic facilities, a canoe launch area, and basic toilet facilities. There is a beautiful 700 metre, 30-minute return trail that meanders along the river. Dogs on lead only.

Start at the Wright’s Bridge Campsite

Lions Forest Walk Trail

Lions Forest Walk Trail is a 90-minute undulating bushwalk that awards walkers with extensive views of Donnybrook’s townsite and its surrounding orchards and vineyards. Dog on lead only. The entrance is slightly hidden, located on the left-hand side of the Donnybrook Cemetry, and limited trail markers. Toilet facilities within the cemetery.

Start at the Donnybrook Cemetery

Lions Sandhills Walk Trail

An array of wildflowers can be seen along this picturesque walk, which passes through Ryall’s Nature Reserve (please observe the guidelines before entering the Nature Reserve). In the beginning, the trail is a wide, sand track taking you towards Sandhills Road, which then narrows into a beautiful forest canopy. Some elevation to get your heart pumping. Limited signage.

Start at Montgomery Road, Donnybrook

Preston River Walk Trail and Indigenous Walk Trail

Circling the Preston River, this walk trail also encompasses the Waugyl Sculpture Walk, leading walkers from the Donnybrook main street to a suspension bridge and over the Preston River. Read Dreamtime story of the river, as well as many others, as you walk along this trail. The majority of this walk is paved. You can walk the loop track of around, 1.8 km or add an extra 2.2 km return that continues up along the river. There is a river crossing which should only be attempted when the river level is low. Dogs on lead only.

Start at the South West Highway, Donnybrook

Racecourse Flora Reserve

This flora reserve is home to a significant area of protected bushland, surrounded by rural farmland. There are a number of walks you can use to explore this nature reserve, including Racetrack (a no longer in use racetrack), Emu Walk, Kangaroo Paw Walk and the Possum Tree Walk. Dogs on lead only.

Start at the South West Highway, Donnybrook (see links above for direct walking routes).

A note from Visit Bunbury Geographe: Western Australia’s national parks, reserves and State forests are now welcoming locals for camping after some COVID-19 restrictions were lifted from midday, May 1, 2020. The change applies to most of the 268 campgrounds managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and includes camping in huts along the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail. Please check with DBCA prior to travel. Further to this, the WA Government have also announced a relaxation of regional travel restrictions from May 18, 2020. Please check current government advice before you travel.