Southern Forests & Valleys
Flying into Perth for the first time in over 12 months was surreal. It almost felt as if we'd never be able to film our first WA episode at all. The border closures meant it was a roll of the dice as the when we could travel. Thankfully we found an opening in the way the dates fell, our schedule and quarantine requirements. The incredible work by the Trail Towns production team and in particular our ex West Australian producer Kirsty Marshall meant within the space of a week, we were locked, loaded and off to WA! Our focus for the week was the Southern Forests and Valleys region. This encompassed towns such as Balingup, Bridgetown, Nannup, Walpole and more. We loosely based the route on the path of the Munda Biddi trail, a 1000 km trail from Mandaring to Albany. It's an absolutely epic trail that can be ridden in parts or if you're tough, one big hit over a week or so.
Deetz and Vandy are joined by an amazing bunch of locals to ride at Linga Longa bike park in Balingup.
The entire Trail Towns team were captivated by the region, having researched in deeply and listened to Kirsty's amazing stories on how beautiful it is. Everyone knows Margaret River, but the Southern Forests is less well known. We were determined to showcase its beauty, culture, culinary offerings and of course, the amazing riding. I've filmed in Perth and been to WA many times, but never ridden bikes in WA, except for a hire bike around the Swan River. I've heard the hills around Perth were good to ride, so before we. even rolled camera, Vandy and I snuck off for a quick blast around the Goat Farm MTB tracks, about 45 minutes. from the CBD. And oh boy...what a great place to ride, with heaps of work being done to improve it further...but that's for another episode.
Behind the scenes photograph filming at Pemberton MTB Park with locals Mark Hudson and Monique Tysoe.
We kicked off our adventure in Donnybrook and immediately felt as if we were in a place of beauty and calm. The main street in Donnybrook is charming, and being a train fanatic, I was captivated by the beautifully kept historic railway station. We drove and rode our way through stunning hamlets, discovering the gorgeous surprises and delights of each town, unique in their own way, and always welcoming and warm. The Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup was stunning, and really beautiful to ride around and marvel at the incredible trees. I found Bridgetown to be a place with so much going for it. A very cool MTB offering, but also the art trail really blew me away.
Deetz and Vandy marvelling at the impressive trees in the Golden Valley Tree Park, WA’s largest Arboretum.
I think the most moving and stunning thing about the Southern Forests & Valleys lies in the its name. The Karri forests really have to be seen and experienced to be believed. There's no other way to truly feel the power and silent wisdom that lies within these magnificent trees. We rode on incredible MTB trails in Pemberton where the Karri Trees towered above us 50 metres and more high. Some trees were over 300 years old, or more, and as we rode through a truly wonderful trail network, I did feel incredibly insignificant, a mere blip on the radar of time in these trees lives.
Vandy riding through the trails and Karri Trails at Pemberton MTB Park.
Deetz and Vandy celebrate finishing an epic ride through Pemberton MTB Park.
Walpole really struck a chord with me, having spent a lot of time in a similar town growing up in Victoria. The locals couldn't have been more kind, the gravel offering is super cool and the town itself is located in one of the most beautiful inlets I've seen. I don't want to sound too gushing, but I really did love this town. The Knoll, an outpost of Karri Trees which pops out from the town into the inlet has the most beautiful road going about the perimeter. It's a must ride. Finishing in Nannup, we got to ride with Sam Hill, a multiple world champion MTB rider and a personal hero of mine, and enjoy some wonderful hospitality and kindness from everyone we met and filmed.
Behind the scenes photograph filming at Coalmine Beach in Walpole.
Deetz presents the Vandy challenge between Vandy and multi award winning MTB rider Sam Hill in Nannup.
I don't like playing favourites, but I have to say, the Southern Forests of WA is right up there with the perfect Trail Town road trip. If you're from the eastern states, I'd suggest a 2 week road trip, so you have time to ride all the trails, eat at as many places as possible, stay in a range of great accomodation offerings and spend some quality quiet time, riding the Munda Biddi through the magnificent Karri Forests. If you're from WA...lucky you. On your doorstep lies an absolute gem.
