Editor Pick
Wellington Forest
- May 20, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Driving east out of Bunbury, about 50km you can find the incredible hiking/biking forest of Wellington. Located near the town of Collie, this is a great place to visit for those who enjoy the Great Outdoors. A hearty welcome to the Australian bush.
The terrain in this area of Western Australia changes dramatically in a fairly short distance, and so driving from the very flat beach community of Bunbury, you may be surprised to find yourself quickly passing through the golden hill area of the Ferguson Valley and into the deep green growth of Wellington Forest.
For those of you looking for a bit of outdoor fun, there is a great variety to do in this area, and whether you want a pleasant drive around to enjoy the trees and scenery, (possibly spotting some roos) or want to spend a week hiking the forest, bike riding the magnificent bush trails, or camping out in some of the world class campsites, there really is a bit of something for everyone.
Simply driving through the dirt roads that lead through out the forest and out to Wellington Dam is a great experience. The scenery turns so green and so thick so quickly it's a little bit bewildering. Have your camera ready, because there is a lot to shoot here.
But if you are one who likes to hike, take your boots and some water and don't plan to come back for a few days. I regret that I never got back to Wellington Forest to do any more than a small bit of exploring, because the amount of trails and terrain there is here to explore could very easily keep you occupied for an entire week.
The bikers love this area, too, and though I never got on a bike out here, was assured by my mountain biking-Ozzie friend that it was one of the best places in the area for doing just that. And it's easy to see why. The forest is lush and thick, and truly stunning, but the trails are there for those wanting to take their bike out and see where the day leads them.
So if you are out, hiking all day and decide that there simply isn't enough time for you do see all you wanted to see and get back before dark--I highly recommend you find one of the impressive campsites that are found in the area. Of all that I encountered in my time in Western Australia, one of the things that impressed me the most were the efficiency and layout of the campsites. We rolled into one at dark, just as the campers were all setting up for the night. Each camper had a space to set up and river near by, a very sanitary toilet set up, and probably most impressive--an honesty box for paying the reasonable A$5 camping fee. Simply set up, leave your money and enjoy a nice evening relaxing by the fire. A perfect outdoor lover's experience.
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