Walpole: Tingle Trees, Trails and Inlets

Walpole lies in the heart of Walpole-Nornalup National Park, which surrounds the town. Here, nature can be experienced in different ways: on trails through bushland, among ancient Tingle trees, and on the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets. As you plan your trip, you can consider whether walks, mountain biking trails, or activities on the water will shape your stay.

Tingle Trees and Wildlife

The Ancient Empire Walk is a 650-metre bush trail through a stand of 400-year-old giant Tingle trees, which are unique to the Walpole region. If you’re particularly interested in the trees, this offers a clearly defined nature experience; the short trail also stands apart from the longer walking and mountain biking routes. Wildlife is also part of the national park’s character: a park profile dated 4 January 2024 names it as a habitat for mainland quokkas.

Walking Trails with Different Routes

The Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail is a six-kilometre loop from the Walpole Nornalup Visitor Centre to Coalmine Beach Caravan Park. The Anecdote Route is a 9.4-kilometre bush walk that follows the shore of Nornalup Inlet back to Walpole. When comparing the two, distance isn’t the only factor: the Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail is a loop, while the Anecdote Route follows the inlet shore back to town. This lets you consider different trail routes without judging the walks by distance alone.

The Walpole Trailhead is in the centre of Walpole. The Giants Trails are a growing network of walking and mountain biking trails; they connect Walpole and Nornalup with the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Another route, the Chinwag Route, runs 17 kilometres to Walpole by mountain bike. The options range from a 650-metre bush trail to a much longer mountain biking route. The activities differ both in how you travel and in their routes: one short trail winds through a stand of ancient Tingle trees, while other routes follow the inlet shore or lead to Walpole.

Getting Out on the Water

The inlets also offer different ways to enjoy an outing. The 10.5-kilometre paddling route runs from Walpole Town Jetty to Deep River. The Town Jetty is next to Walpole, is a fishing spot, and has facilities for launching larger boats into Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park.

The WOW Wilderness EcoCruise offers a different perspective: the 2.5-hour cruise travels through the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets. It includes local stories, wildlife viewing, and morning tea. When planning, you can consider a paddling route with a stated distance and a boat trip with a set duration as different ways to enjoy the water.

Planning Your Trip from Walpole

If you’re looking for a hotel in Walpole, you can use the activities you prefer as a starting point for planning your trip. The centrally located Walpole Trailhead is a specific reference point for the Giants Trails; the Town Jetty is next to town and is associated with fishing, launching larger boats, and the paddling route. There are also the different walking trails, the Ancient Empire Walk, and the EcoCruise. Consider whether you’d prefer to spend your stay walking, mountain biking, or out on the water. These priorities can help you choose a destination based on the experiences that interest you most, and then look for hotels in Walpole.

Discover more destinations: Kronkup, Capel, Metricup, South Yunderup, Pemberton, Kendenup, Carbunup River, Torbay

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.