Weekend at the Edge of Old-Growth: Pedal, Paddle and Hike the Walpole Wilderness

WALPOLE BIKE TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Weekend at the Edge of Old-Growth: Pedal, Paddle and Hike the Walpole Wilderness

A two‑day guided weekend that combines 14 km of mountain biking, a 2.5 km packraft on the Frankland River and a 14 km Bibbulmun Track hike — a concise field guide to what to expect and how to prepare.

Weekend at the Edge of Old-Growth: Pedal, Paddle and Hike the Walpole Wilderness.

Duration
2 days
Location
Walpole
Operator
WOW Wilderness
Category
Bike Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Over a concentrated two days the Walpole Wilderness Weekender threads together towering karri and tingle forest, a quiet river corridor and a stretch of the Bibbulmun Track into an intimate, multi‑disciplinary wilderness experience. Riders and paddlers move beneath ancient trunks, camp on a remote riverbank and finish with a forested hike — a compact itinerary that reveals the region’s biodiversity, history and night sky.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE LANDSCAPE

Tingle and karri giants

Flowy singletrack and riverside clearings thread through some of Walpole’s largest karri and tingle trees, providing the defining sense of scale for the weekend’s rides, paddles and walks.

THE ROUTE

Pedal, paddle and pack up camp

The itinerary stitches a 14 km mountain bike, a 2.5 km flat‑water packraft on the Frankland River and an overnight riverside camp into a single continuous journey of movement and place.

THE NIGHT

Riverside camp and stargazing

Camp at Monastery Landing on the Frankland River, cook together by the banks and watch Walpole’s dark skies for the Milky Way and shooting stars — the trip finishes around a twilight campfire and morning sunrise rituals.

What the day feels like

What the two days feel like

The Weekender is deliberately kinetic: a morning meet at Coalmine Beach gives way to forest singletrack riding, a riverside lunch, a short packraft downstream to Monastery Landing, and a riverside camp. Day two begins with sunrise coffee and an exit along the Bibbulmun Track, finishing back at Coalmine Beach after a 14 km hike — all designed to show the Walpole Wilderness from multiple vantage points in a compact timeframe.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this weekend suits — and who should think twice.

1
Active outdoor enthusiastsWell suited — the trip’s mix of biking, packrafting and hiking rewards those who enjoy varied, physically engaged field days.
2
Intermediate mountain bikersA good fit if you can ride independently on forest trails for a 14 km section and handle basic trail terrain.
3
Backcountry campers and nature loversIdeal for people who want a short, guided wilderness camping experience with opportunities for stargazing and close observation of native flora and fauna.
4
Those with limited mobility or no paddling/biking experienceNot recommended — participants must be able to mountain bike, paddle and hike independently and carry a 6–8 kg pack.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to bring

Wear comfortable active clothing suitable for the conditions, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, long‑sleeved top, sunscreen) and comfortable enclosed shoes or trail runners. Bring a minimum of 2 L of drinking water, favourite snacks, a rain jacket and spare dry/warm clothes for after packrafting. A detailed equipment list will be emailed after booking.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the trip?

The Weekender runs over 2 days.

Where do we meet?

Meet at the Coalmine Beach Western End carpark for the morning briefing and gear check.

What activities are included?

The itinerary includes a 14 km mountain bike ride, a 2.5 km packraft on the Frankland River, an overnight riverside camp and a 14 km hike on the Bibbulmun Track.

What fitness level is required?

A moderate level of fitness is required; you must be able to mountain bike, paddle and hike independently and carry a pack weighing about 6–8 kg.

Is equipment and food provided?

The experience is fully guided with equipment and food provided; a detailed equipment list will be sent after booking.