WALPOLE BIKE TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Pedal & Paddle: A Full‑Day Mountain Bike and Packraft Through the Walpole Wilderness
A full‑day guided outing that pairs a 14 km mountain bike traverse of tingle forest with a 2.5 km packraft on the Frankland River—this guide lays out the route, logistics and kit you’ll need.
Pedal & Paddle: A Full‑Day Mountain Bike and Packraft Through the Walpole Wilderness.
Adventure brief
Pedal & Paddle: A Full‑Day Mountain Bike and Packraft Through the Walpole Wilderness
Join Emma and the WOW Wilderness team for a full‑day Pedal & Paddle Adventure through the Walpole Wilderness: a morning 14 km mountain bike ride under towering tingle trees, followed by a tranquil 2.5 km packraft along the Frankland River to Monastery Landing—an itinerary that moves from forest canopy to flat water in a single, connected day.
Located in the heart of Western Australia's Walpole Wilderness, the Pedal & Paddle Adventure offers an immersive full-day journey combining mountain biking and packrafting through some of the region's most captivating landscapes. Starting at the Valley of the Giants, riders embark on a 13-kilometer mountain bike route weaving through towering ancient tingle trees—a unique eucalyptus species known for its remarkable size and longevity. This forest, part of the Walpole Wilderness Area, features a rare ecosystem that supports diverse flora and fauna, offering a rare glimpse into one of Australia's natural treasures.
After conquering the trails, participants arrive at the tranquil Frankland River, locally known as Kwakoorillup, meaning "the place of the Quokka." Here, the adventure takes a serene turn as guests enjoy a riverside lunch before transitioning to packrafting. Inflating lightweight, portable rafts, paddlers traverse 2.5 kilometers downstream toward Monastery Landing, a site rich with history as a focal point in the local wilderness conservation movement. The river’s calm waters not only provide a peaceful contrast to the morning's exertion but also frame stunning views of forested riverbanks, making it a memorable paddle.
Guided by Emma from the WOW Wilderness team, this trip offers a balanced blend of adrenaline and calm, designed for adventurers with a moderate fitness level seeking to experience one of the last great wildernesses on the Australian continent. All necessary equipment—including Giant Talon 1 mountain bikes, helmets, packrafts, paddles, and lifejackets—is supplied, alongside fresh, locally inspired food and refreshments. This fully supported outing ensures participants can focus on the experience itself without logistical hassles.
Walpole Wilderness is notable for its wide network of hiking and biking trails combined with pristine waterways, making it a standout destination for multi-activity explorations. The Pedal & Paddle Adventure leverages this diversity by providing an unparalleled day that reveals the area’s biodiversity and cultural history from both land and water perspectives. The blend of tingle forest trails and peaceful river paddling traverses a landscape moistened by the region’s high rainfall, sustaining a lush environment that feels far removed from the everyday.
For visitors staying in Walpole, this adventure acts as a gateway into the wilderness, fostering a deeper understanding of the area's environmental significance and the ongoing efforts to protect it. Finish the day with local snacks and drinks at Monastery Landing, reflecting on the ecological and cultural stories from a landscape shaped over millennia. The Pedal & Paddle Adventure is not just a tour; it’s a fully immersive encounter with one of Australia's most remarkable natural habitats, carefully curated by experienced guides who know the pathways and waterways intimately.
Route Schematic
Route Schematic
Key stops and moments from meeting through to return, following the itinerary timeline.
Pioneer Park — Meet & kit up
Gather at 9:00 AM at Pioneer Park to organise gear and prepare for the day before transfers begin.
Valley of the Giants Trail Head — Transfer and prep
A short transfer takes the group to the Giants Trail Head where bikes are readied and packrafts are lashed to bikes for the start of the ride.
Giants Trails — 13–14 km mountain bike ride
Immerse yourself in the ancient tingle forest on a roughly 13–14 km ride along the Giants Trails network.
Frankland River — Lunch & inflate
Pause on the riverbank for lunch before inflating packrafts and switching from pedals to paddles.
Packraft to Monastery Landing — 2.5 km paddle
Paddle approximately 2.5 km along flat water on the Frankland River to Monastery Landing, a site with historical conservation significance.
Deflate, snacks & return to Walpole
Deflate packrafts, enjoy end‑of‑trip snacks, then transfer back to Walpole with an expected tour end in the afternoon.
This tour requires a moderate level of fitness and the ability to mountain bike and paddle independently; operators may adjust timing or route order as needed for safety and conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
From Giants Trail Head to the Frankland River
A two‑part route that links a 14 km mountain bike loop through the Giants Trails network with a flat‑water 2.5 km packraft downstream, letting you experience the Walpole Wilderness by both wheel and paddle.
Ancient tingle forest and the Frankland’s quiet reaches
The outing exposes you to the region’s distinct biodiversity and the sense of place around Monastery Landing—a stretch of river tied to the area’s conservation story—revealing the scale and character of the Walpole Wilderness.
A fully guided, gear‑ready day
This is a fully guided full‑day experience with equipment and food provided, designed to combine active trail riding with an accessible packraft paddle for a single cohesive wilderness day.
What the day feels like
How the day feels
The day unfolds like a simple two‑act play: morning pedals beneath towering tingle trees on the Giants Trails, a riverside lunch and a peaceful packraft descent of the Frankland River to Monastery Landing, before a short celebration and return to Walpole—an approachable, full‑day immersion in this special landscape.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should take care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring comfortable active clothing suitable to the weather, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, long sleeve top, sunscreen), at least 2 L of drinking water, your favourite snacks, a rain jacket and spare dry warm clothes for after paddling.
Wear comfortable, worn‑in enclosed shoes or trail runners and layered active clothing appropriate to conditions; long sleeves and a hat are recommended for sun protection.
Carry a minimum of 2 L drinking water and any personal snacks you prefer; the trip includes provided food but personal preferences are encouraged.
Pack a rain jacket—this region is one of the wettest parts of Western Australia—and a change of dry clothes for after the packraft leg.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the Pedal & Paddle Adventure take?
The scheduled duration is approximately 7 hours for the full‑day experience.
What distances will I cover on bike and by packraft?
The trip includes roughly 14 km of mountain biking and a 2.5 km flat‑water packraft paddle.
Where and when do we meet?
The listed meeting location is Coalmine Beach Western End Carpark; the itinerary also indicates a 9:00 AM gathering at Pioneer Park to organise gear prior to transfers.
Is equipment and food provided?
Yes—the experience is fully guided and includes provided equipment and food as part of the trip.
What level of fitness is required?
A moderate fitness level is required; participants must be able to mountain bike and paddle independently.
When does the tour finish?
The itinerary plans to return participants to Walpole with an approximate tour end around 4:00 PM.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-28T03:07:26.387Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.