Dwellingup, in Western Australia’s Peel region, is a brilliant spot for a nature‑rich family escape that still feels close to Perth. Just over an hour’s drive from the city, this tiny town has earned big accolades – including being named Australia’s Top Tiny Tourism Town in 2023 – and is now a true adventure hub where world‑class trails, rivers and forests all meet.
Surrounded by towering jarrah and marri forest, Dwellingup offers river adventures, heritage rail journeys, mountain bike trails, art and culture, cosy cafés and plenty of kid‑friendly fun. Whether you’re keen to camp under the stars, hit the trails, or simply wander with a coffee while the kids play, Dwellingup makes an easy weekend or short‑break destination.
From treetop adventures and mountain bike trails to wildflower walks, fresh farm produce and cuddly animals, here’s an updated guide to the best things to do in and around Dwellingup with kids.
Start at the Dwellingup Trails & Visitor Centre
A great first stop in town is the Dwellingup Trails & Visitor Centre. This modern hub brings together trail information, interactive displays, local history and practical help for planning your stay. Staff can advise on current conditions for campsites, walking tracks, the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail, plus river levels and family‑friendly ride options.
The centre sits right beside the town’s brilliant pump track, skate park and Playground, with Waypoints Café and Dwellingup Adventures also on site. It naturally becomes base camp for families – kids can ride or play while parents grab maps, book experiences and enjoy a coffee.
Treetops Adventure Dwellingup
Treetops Adventure Dwellingup (formerly Trees Adventure) is a must‑do if your family loves a challenge. Set amongst the forest at Lane Poole Reserve, the park features a series of aerial obstacle courses with wobbly bridges, cargo nets and zip lines strung through the treetops.
There are courses to suit a wide range of ages and confidence levels. Little kids can clip on close to the ground, while older kids, teens and adults can test themselves on higher, more thrilling circuits up to around 20 metres in the air. It’s a fantastic way to experience the forest from above, and a real confidence booster for kids as they tackle each element.
An on‑site kiosk serves hot and cold drinks and snacks, and there’s plenty of space to watch if some family members would rather stay on solid ground. It’s a popular attraction, especially on weekends and in school holidays, so it’s best to book ahead online.
Read our review of Treetops Adventures
Ranger Red’s Zoo
Animal‑loving families will enjoy a visit to Ranger Red’s Zoo. This family‑owned and operated wildlife park features a mix of native and some exotic animals, with a strong focus on getting kids up close (safely) and learning about conservation.
You can expect to meet kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, birds and reptiles, with opportunities such as hand‑feeding kangaroos and supervised animal encounters. The educational talks help kids understand more about Australian wildlife and what’s involved in caring for them. It’s a great option for a slower‑paced morning or afternoon, especially if you’re balancing more active days of hiking or biking.
Read our review of Ranger Red’s Zoo
Ride the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
Step back in time with a ride on the heritage Hotham Valley Tourist Railway. Established in the 1970s to preserve the local rail history, the railway now runs a range of special services through forest and farmland on one of WA’s last surviving lightly built railway lines.
Families can choose from different experiences, including forest runs behind heritage steam or diesel locomotives (seasonal). Many visitors compare the atmosphere to a real‑life Hogwarts Express, making it especially magical for Harry Potter fans. On selected evenings, the Restaurant Train offers a memorable five‑course dinner in beautifully restored vintage dining carriages as the train winds through the forest – a unique date night or special occasion option if you’re travelling with older kids or have someone to watch the little ones.
Check timetables and availability in advance, as services vary seasonally and many run only on weekends or school holidays.
Read our review of Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
Lost Eden Creative, Art Trail and Garden Café
For a dose of culture and a break from adventure activities, head to Lost Eden Creative. Housed in a character building dating back to 1940, this artist‑run space combines gallery exhibitions, a laid‑back garden café and on‑site holiday accommodation.
The gallery features a changing line‑up of group and solo exhibitions, showcasing local and WA artists in a light‑filled, 150m² space. It’s a lovely way to introduce kids to art in a relaxed setting, especially if they like to spot interesting shapes and colours.
Outside, Garden Eats café serves breakfast, lunch and coffee on selected days, with a leafy outdoor setting ideal for families. It’s a peaceful spot to unwind after more high‑energy activities, and a good choice if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual country pub meal.
Around town, a growing Dwellingup Art Trail links murals, sculptures and creative spaces. Families can turn it into a low‑key treasure hunt, spotting artworks as they explore the streets and parks.
Cultural Connections and Kaarak Dreaming
Dwellingup sits on the traditional lands of the Bindjareb and Wilman Noongar people, and the region’s tourism focus now includes more opportunities to connect with local Aboriginal culture. Experiences such as Kaarak Dreaming (check current offerings via Visit Dwellingup) can include guided walks, storytelling, bush tucker insights and Dreaming stories that bring the forest and river landscapes to life in a new way.
Even if you don’t join a formal tour, it’s worth taking a moment at lookouts and trailheads to read interpretive signage and talk with kids about the long cultural history of the area.
Lane Poole Reserve and “River Days”
Lane Poole Reserve is the natural heart of many Dwellingup adventures. Spreading over tens of thousands of hectares along the Murray River, this huge forest reserve is popular for camping, day trips and all kinds of outdoor fun. Families can swim in calm river pools, set up for a picnic under the trees, launch canoes or kayaks, and cook up a barbeque at designated areas.
Dwaarlindjirraap is one of the most popular day‑use areas, with sealed road access, good facilities, steps down to the water and plenty of shade. It’s perfect for an all‑in‑one “river day”: paddle, swim, explore along the rocks and then refuel at a picnic table.
There are numerous bushwalking tracks in the reserve, ranging from short, easy strolls of around 1.5km to longer and more demanding hikes up to around 18km. These trails showcase towering jarrah forest, river views and, in season, stunning wildflower displays. If you’re not camping, Dwaarlindjirraap and other day‑use spots such as Nanga Brook and Chuditch are ideal for a relaxed family visit.
Spring Wildflower Spotting
Dwellingup is a lovely destination at any time of year, but it really shines in spring when the wildflowers burst into bloom. If you enjoy spotting native flowers, plan a visit between late winter and spring.
Within Lane Poole Reserve alone, there are trails featuring hundreds of wildflower species. The Bibbulmun Track passes through the area, so you can sample a short section for a day walk. Shorter family‑friendly trails such as Island Pool, King Jarrah and Nanga Brook offer a good balance of manageable distance and lots of flower spotting opportunities.
Forest Discovery Centre
The Forest Discovery Centre is a lovely, low‑cost way to learn more about the forests surrounding Dwellingup. The building itself is uniquely shaped like a leaf, and inside you’ll find forest‑themed displays, an art gallery and a focus on woodcraft and conservation.
Outside, families can stroll a treetop‑style walkway, follow bush paths to an old campsite and timber‑cutters’ cabin, and discover nature‑based play opportunities. Kids are encouraged to use their imaginations and explore, turning the bush into a natural Playground rather than a formal one.
There’s usually a small entry or donation requested for certain activities, and the centre sometimes runs special school holiday programs or workshops such as nature crafts and forest‑themed experiences, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re visiting in peak periods.
Explore Dwellingup Town
Don’t just rush through on your way to the forest – Dwellingup itself has a welcoming, small‑town feel that’s part of the charm. Take a wander down the main street, grab a coffee, browse the local shops and soak up the village atmosphere.
Near the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre precinct you’ll find a Playground, a great skate park and an impressive asphalt pump track that’s very popular with scooter, bike and skateboard‑mad kids. If you didn’t pack wheels, Dwellingup Adventures (based at the Trails & Visitor Centre precinct) often hire bikes and scooters, along with helmets, making it easy to join the fun. This area makes a natural hub for families: adults can relax with a drink or snack from the café while kids ride or play within sight.
Family‑Friendly Places to Eat and Drink
Dwellingup offers a nice mix of casual, family‑friendly eateries, many just a short walk from key attractions.
The local Dwellingup Pub, affectionately known as “The Dwelly Pub”, is a classic country pub with a relaxed atmosphere and hearty meals. Big indoor and outdoor picnic tables make it easy for families and groups, and there’s a generous grassed area where kids can burn off some energy while you wait for your meal.
Waypoints Café, located in the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre precinct, is a favourite for active families. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, it has a kids’ play corner indoors and a large lawn outside, and it’s only steps away from the Playground, skate park and pump track. It’s an ideal base before or after hitting the trails.
Blue Wren Café is a cute, homely option with tasty food and friendly service. It suits families who are happy to sit together and chat, as there’s limited room for kids to run around.
Longriders Cafe & Restaurant offers a family‑friendly menu with crowd‑pleasers such as stone‑baked pizzas and burgers, plus regular Texan BBQ smoke‑out days across the year that are very popular with meat‑lovers. It’s a good choice if you’re after something a bit more substantial at the end of a busy day outdoors.
Walking Trails – Where Trails Meet
If your family enjoys hiking, you’ll be spoilt for choice around Dwellingup. The region is famous as the only place where two of Western Australia’s iconic long‑distance trails meet: the Bibbulmun Track (for walkers) and the Munda Biddi Trail (for cyclists). This “where trails meet” claim is at the heart of Dwellingup’s outdoorsy identity.
Around town and within Lane Poole Reserve, there are numerous signed walking trails, with options to suit everything from pram‑friendly strolls on firm paths or short loops, through to more adventurous full‑day hikes for older children and teens. Shorter waterfall and river walks are great with younger kids, while older children might enjoy tackling a more challenging loop that climbs to viewpoints or follows the river for longer stretches.
For parents keen on guided hikes, operators such as Off The Beaten Track run tours that showcase some of the area’s highlights, usually aimed at adults and older teens due to the distances involved.
Read our review of Marrinup Falls Walk
Mountain Biking in Dwellingup
Dwellingup has become a major mountain biking destination, with nearly 80km of purpose‑built trails forming part of the Dwellingup Adventure Trails network. Within Lane Poole Reserve, the Murray Valley Mountain Bike Trails offer a 35km network of well‑designed rides, including flowy descents, berms and jumps for all levels.
In and around town you’ll also find more family‑friendly, cross‑country‑style trails, along with the big pump track that’s perfect for young riders to build skills. Most trailheads and loops are clearly graded (green for beginners, blue for intermediates and so on), making it simple to choose rides that match your family’s experience and confidence.
The famous Munda Biddi Trail runs directly through Dwellingup too, giving confident families the option of sampling sections of this world‑class off‑road cycling route as part of a day ride.
Dwellingup Adventures
If you’d like to get active but don’t have your own gear – or just prefer someone else to handle the logistics – Dwellingup Adventures is a great one‑stop shop. They offer a range of hire equipment and self‑guided or supported experiences, including:
- Canoes and kayaks for paddling the Murray River
- Rafting experiences during suitable water levels
- Mountain bike hire and self‑guided bike tours
- Camping equipment and support for overnight trips
- Equipment and shuttles for exploring Lane Poole Reserve
It’s particularly handy for families who want the freedom of exploring at their own pace but appreciate some local knowledge about routes, safety and the best spots for kids.
You can book a range of tours through the Visit Dwellingup website
Vergone’s Fruit Stall and Seasonal Picking
On your way in or out of town, stop at Vergone’s Fruit Stall for a taste of the region. Open on select days (and daily during peak summer months), this large roadside stall sells a wide range of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, homemade jams, soups, cakes and other treats. You can even pick up favourites like Pinjarra Bakery pies.
Seasonal fruit picking, such as raspberries in summer, is a real highlight for kids – they’ll love filling their own punnets straight from the vines. If you spot their fresh orange cake made with local produce, grab it quickly; it’s known to sell out fast.
Planning Your Dwellingup Escape
Dwellingup is genuinely a year‑round destination:
- Spring brings wildflowers and perfect walking and riding weather.
- Summer is ideal for swimming, paddling and late‑evening picnics by the river, plus fruit picking.
- Autumn and winter suit campfires (when permitted), misty forest walks, white‑water experiences on the Murray and cosy meals in town.
With its combination of treetop thrills, river paddling, heritage rail journeys, creative spaces, cultural connections and great food, Dwellingup makes it easy to unplug and reconnect as a family – all without straying too far from Perth.
Dwellingup
Address: Dwellingup, Peel Region, Western Australia (approximately 100km south‑east of Perth CBD)
Official tourism website: https://dwellingup.destinationmurray.com.au
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
