Adrenaline Seekers Day One – Perth to the Ferguson Valley
Departing from Perth, a little over two hours of driving will take you to Wellington National Park, where the Mount Lennard Trails are located. These trails are perfect for experienced mountain bikers who enjoy singletrack riding through the bush. The trail network comprises six loop trails ranging from 4km to 11.5km, weaving through mature jarrah forest and granite outcrops, and offering breath-taking views of the lower Collie River Valley. The Grizzley, Boylan, Butchers, and Pallet Track trails are rated moderate (blue), while the Wals and Millbrook trails are difficult (black) and suitable for experienced riders. Depending on your abilities and how many trails you plan to tackle, allow 1 to 3 hours for the ride. The uphill portions are consistent but gentle, while the downhills may require some pedalling to reach top speed. These trails have a more organic feel with less machine-made jumps and trail compared to modern ones, except for a jump area at the bottom of the network that features doubles and tabletops for riders to test their skills.
After an invigorating ride, take a two-minute drive to Wild Bull Brewery for lunch and a well-deserved beer. The brewery’s kitchen serves woodfired pizzas, steaks, fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, and satisfying burgers. You can enjoy your meal in the brewery’s big beer garden surrounded by trees if the weather permits. The place is family-friendly, with a playground for kids, and pets are welcome too, making it the perfect spot to spend an afternoon. From there, drive ten minutes to your accommodation in the Ferguson Valley or head back to Collie for accommodation options.
Adrenaline Seekers Day Two – Mountain Biking in Collie
Start your day with a cup of coffee and breakfast at your accommodation, or head to The Wagon coffee stop, located 30 minutes away. Grab a sandwich and sweet slice to fuel up before driving 14 minutes to the Arklow Trails. These trails span over 35km and run through Jarrah and Marri forests, with sections ranging from fast flowing to technical and challenging, featuring jumps and more. The Ray’s Trail car park, situated on Harris River Road, just past the Harris River Estate Winery, serves as the trailhead, with an information sign about each trail. The moderate (blue) trails include Ray’s Trail (7km), 220 Trail (6.2km), Dead Cats (2.6km), Bull Ant (4.5km), Far Lap (7.5km), and Morning Glory (2.1km). Plan to spend 1 to 3 hours exploring the trails and be sure to bring everything you need as there are no facilities available.
After a few hours of mountain biking, take a 26-minute drive to Wellington Dam Wall and Quarry, an excellent spot for lunch either your own picnic or let the folk at the Kiosk at the Dam look after you. The area around the quarry has plenty to do including hiking, swimming, rock climbing, bird watching, and photography. If you have an abseiling license and gear, you can also go abseiling. The location is home to a stunning work of public art, the world’s largest dam mural, spanning 8000m² and showcasing local life from the past, featuring portraits of migrants, Aboriginal children, and locals. The Water Corporation lookout provides the best view of the mural.
Once refuelled and refreshed, head back to the bike and ride the Wagyl Biddi Trails, meaning “path through the forest” in the Aboriginal Noongar language. The network winds through the jarrah forest on the edge of the Collie River, and includes the Dropped Pye Zone, a technical skills area with jumps, rock descents, ladder drops, berms, and balance beams. The moderate (blue) trails to tackle include the Marri Meander (0.8km), a rocky and densely forested trail, and Rocky Horror (1.5km), a single track that balances rocky and flow, best ridden with Drop Dead Fred (1km) to complete a 2.5km loop. Allow one to three hours for your afternoon mountain biking session before the hour and a half journey back to Perth.
