Dwellingup – A Small Timber Town

By Kathy M

Dwellingup is located about 97kms South of Perth. It is a small timber settlement situated on top of an escarpment and surrounded by a state forest. The Dwellingup area wasn’t settled until the nineteenth century, when it was opened by timber cutters, eager to exploit the Jarrah, Blackbutt and Marri in the area.

A few small settlements – Hoyoake, Nanga Brook, Marrinup grew here, but Dwellingup became the most important with a hotel, a doctor, two butchers, a baker and a saddler. In 1961 the town was almost destroyed when a bolt of lightening started a bushfire, which lasted for 5 days. Damaging 140,000ha of forest wiping out many of the smaller  towns. Only Dwellingup was re-built.

The great appeal of the area is the closeness to Perth and with the large range of recreation activites, (bbqs, picnics, bushwalks and camping locations) which are ideal for those who are eager to escape from suburbia for a day or two.

Lane-Pool Reserve – Camping & Recreation

There are many areas in which to camp or use just for the day.
Camping Fees are $5 per Adult (16yrs and over) and $2 per child aged between 5 and 16.
Day Use is Free.
Dogs are Allowed on leash only (Due to Fox baiting in the reserve)
Fire Bans are from 15th  December to 15th March – *bring your portable gas cooker.
Wood fires in the fire rings are permitted the rest of the year.
Firewood can bought in Dwellingup for around $5 a bag. As tempting as it may be, dead leaves, and twigs are important to the habitat for many species…including spiders!

Baden Powell Day Use & Camping: (1.5km from Entry)
 Its a great day use area with parking, seating & tables and if your tempted, a dip in the icy waters on a winter’s day! In saying that, come summer time its filled with the young and old frolicking in the waters, or just basking in the warm rays on the huge rock features. Dwellingup Adventure Tours run water rafting tours in the colder months, with really fast rapids for those more adventurous! Most weekends you’ll find them set up on the steps down to the water with a trailer full of canoes, ready for hire.

The Baden Powell camping site is close by to pitch your tent, park your caravan etc..’Beware’ Easter and Long Weekends are often crowded! Facilities here are drop toilets, tap water, tables, and concrete bbqs. A great starting point to trek off on a bushwalk.  We have camped here a few times with the kids at the busiest times. I remember one time when our youngest was just 2yrs old and the area had become a Tent City, anyhow our worst nightmare was happening when we couldn’t find him. We searched everywhere from bush to the waters edge…calling his name, Until someone back at the camp, said to us…’Is this your son in our tent?’ ..and there he was playing in the persons tent, next door to ours!!

Island Pool – Day Use Only (9kms from Entry on River Rd)
Like the Baden Powell Area, this is for day use only. With bbq’s, toilets, tables, numerous walktrails and even steps down to the water. Swimming, fishing, canoeing, picnic…what more could you ask for!

Bob’s Crossing (5km from Entry)
This is a concrete river crossing, with access through to Nanga and Stringers.
No camping allowed here. But a good spot for a swim and fish. Its also a canoe pickup\drop off point.

Charlie’s Flat (7km from entry on River Road)
Here you’ll find camp sites with bbqs, drop toilets, bins and car bays
Time for paddle up river and throw a line in, before feasting on some snags on the barbie!

Chuditch Camping (8.5km from entry on MurrayValley Rd)
As well as camping sites, it is a beaut spot for drive thru caravans sites and with its own information board and free gas bbqs, tank water and basins. Also here is a covered camp kitchen with bins and more walk trails.

Nanga Mills (10.5km from entry via Bob’s Crossing)
One of our favourite spots…specially in the cooler months, as everything is so green.
Our first time camping here was in our old pop-out caravan and it was hot, red and dusty. No matter of water and soap could get my kids clean!!..they were having fun and I had a good book and hubby made himself comfy with his adaquete supply of beverages.
Nanga has a large area among the tall pines to settle for a weekend or more. What makes this a great spot is the exploring for the kids, along the many trails and the flowing clear waters make a excellent spot for tadpole catching. There is also some wooden play frames for the kids to have a climb. If you got a bike rack or (even better) a trailer, bring the kids bikes and a good supply of bandaids! There’s some good dirt mounds for the keen bmx kids..

Facilities here are drop toilets, bins, bbqs, tables, walktrails and close to the river.
*Rangers/Calm Officers do frequent all areas in holiday period collecting fees.

Stringers (11kms from Entry via Bob’s crossing)
This is a campground area with bbq’s, toilets, tables and a good place to launch your canoe.

Tony’s Bend (9.5kms from Entry on River Rd)
At Tony’s Bend you’ll find individual camp sites with car bays, bbq’s, toilets, bins and tables.
Another great place for swimming, fishing and canoeing.

More Things To Do

For more Info: www.dwellingupadventures.com.au/rafting.htm

Click to view  Map of Lane Pool Reserve
       www.calm.wa.gov.au/tourism/pdf_files/lane-pool_recmap_color.pdf