Gravel cycling in the Margaret River Region: where to ride and hire a bike

The only constant in the scenery is just how varied it is, from tall forest to vineyards, through farmland and out along the rugged coast.

Thanks to gravel cycling, you can do all of that without having to commit to a full day in the saddle.

It’s one of the newest and most fun and relaxed ways to explore the Margaret River Region under your own steam.

So, what exactly is it?

Gravel cycling has gone from a niche cycling discipline to one of the fastest-growing corners of the sport.

Think of it as the happy medium between road cycling and mountain biking. The bike has the same drop handlebars as a road bike, but with wider tyres and a comfy off-road design, it’ll go just about anywhere. It’s a great way to get off the bitumen and into the bush.

That also makes it perfect for the Margaret River Region. With some of the region’s best hidden gems tucked down fire trails and gravel roads, the gravel bike will let you slow down, stop for a wildflower, pull over beneath a karri tree, detour towards a cellar door or finish beside the ocean.

If you’re new to gravel cycling, make the Wadandi Track your first port of call.

The trail follows the former railway line between Busselton and Flinders Bay and is named after the Wadandi People, the traditional custodians of the region. The existing trail provides a relatively flat, family-friendly ride through forest, farmland and vineyards.

Rather than thinking of it as one long ride, pick a section that suits your day.

The northern sections give you an easy introduction to riding off-road, with the trail passing through the countryside south of Busselton towards Cowaramup. Cowaramup is a particularly useful base if you’re looking for a shorter ride, a coffee stop or somewhere to begin exploring the southern sections.

Closer to Margaret River, the trail passes through a mixture of forest and open country. The section around Carters Road, north of town, is one of the best. All the mountain-bike trails around Carters Road are single-track built for mountain bikers, but the Wadandi Track is the one you’re looking for. One particularly pleasant section runs north from Carters Road towards Lears Road, with shady forest and Bramley Creek along the way.

Further south, the Wadandi Track continues towards Witchcliffe, passing through farmland, forest and vineyards. It’s a great option if you want your ride to feel more like an exploration of the wider Margaret River wine country than a conventional cycling workout.

The existing Wadandi Track is around 25 kilometres from Cowaramup through Margaret River to Witchcliffe, with additional sections and connections continuing to develop. Keep an eye on future extensions as the trail network grows.

In Margaret River, you’ll find The Hairy Marron, right beside the river that gives the town its name. They offer bike hire, including e-bikes, as well as workshop services. The riverside deck makes a good place to recover afterwards with a coffee and something to eat.

A little further into town, Life Cycle Bikes has mountain bikes, cruiser and town bikes, plus electric cruiser/hybrid bikes. Helmets, locks and a map of recommended cycling routes are included with hire, and the team can help plan a route around your ability and available time.

From here, head to Rotary Park on the northern edge of town for a classic Margaret River ride. The Ten Mile Brook Trail starts here and follows the river through forest towards Ten Mile Brook Dam, roughly seven kilometres away, or about 15 kilometres for a round trip. It’s just enough to feel like you’ve had a proper ride without turning the day into an endurance mission.

There’s plenty to look at along the way, from birds and forest vegetation to the old machinery and buildings around Margaret River’s Old Settlement. Come in spring and you’ll also find wildflowers brightening up the edges of the trail.

If there’s one place that captures the magic of riding in the southern Margaret River Region, it’s Boranup. Head south from Margaret River along Caves Road and you’ll soon find yourself beneath enormous karri trees. The gravel roads around Boranup weave through this forest. Light filters through the canopy and the noise of the highway quickly disappears.

For a particularly scenic option, Boranup Drive is an unsealed loop through the forest, around 20 kilometres south of Margaret River. Ride beneath the soaring karri forest, which is particularly lush in early spring after the winter rains and blooming with wildflowers in later spring.

Margaret River Adventure Company runs small-group adventures from Caves Road in Boranup. Its tours include guided fat-bike rides through the Boranup karri forest and out towards the coast, ending at Contos Beach. Bikes, helmets and water are provided.

It’s a great alternative to traditional gravel cycling if you like the idea of exploring the same landscape with a local guide and a little more adventure.

And if you like the forest idea but don’t fancy pedalling at all, EcoAdventures Margaret River offers guided electric quad-bike tours from the junction of Caves Road and Vlam Road. The 90-minute experience covers about 18 kilometres of Boranup forest trails, making it a family-friendly way to experience the same towering karri landscape.

For an easy-going day, follow the sealed dual-use path along the coast between Dunsborough and Busselton. You can make the ride as long or short as you like, stopping at beaches along Geographe Bay whenever you feel like it.

If you’re looking for something more off-road, the Dunsborough and Districts Country Club has an extensive mountain-bike network nearby. These trails are predominantly mountain-bike trails rather than gravel routes, so they’re better suited to riders who want to step things up from a relaxed rail trail.

The Country Club itself makes a good finish line. Set among jarrah, marri, sheoak and peppermint trees, it has a bar that’s open to visitors, so you can swap cycling shoes for a cold drink and watch the local wildlife wander around the grounds.

Bike Shed Dunsborough is close to the local trails and offers a broad range of bikes, including hybrids, entry-level mountain bikes, kids bikes, road bikes and e-bikes. Hire bikes come with helmets and locks, while pick-up and delivery are available in surrounding areas.

For families, it’s particularly handy to have access to kids bikes, baby seats and trailers when you’re putting together a mixed-age riding day.

Busselton is a natural launchpad for a two-wheeled day out, particularly if your group has different levels of fitness. Start around the foreshore, ride along the beachside paths and connect into the wider network where suitable. You can combine a ride with a swim, lunch or a wander along Busselton Jetty rather than treating cycling as the entire day’s activity.

Burnside Bikes takes the logistics out of the equation, delivering and collecting rental bikes throughout Busselton and Margaret River, including at accommodation and trailheads. Its fleet includes e-bikes, mountain bikes, cruisers and family equipment such as child seats, trailers and bikes for children aged eight and up.

It’s a particularly good option if you’re travelling with kids or simply don’t want to spend half the morning working out how to fit bikes onto the car.

Before or after the ride, head to Little Otto’s Big Choc Shop on Marine Terrace. Teaming up with Burnside Bikes to bring bike hire to the Busselton Foreshore, it’s a great option to replenish some of your energy with house-made chocolate and gelato overlooking Geographe Bay.

Another option is Busselton Electric Bike Hire, based just minutes from the foreshore. Its premium e-bikes have claimed ranges of up to 100 kilometres, with helmets and locks included, and are available for single rides, full days and multi-day touring.

On Track Mountain Biking runs guided experiences, skills sessions and trail support across the South West. Its current offerings include a half-day Wadandi Track scenic e-bike tour with transport to the trail, an e-bike, helmet and local guide.

It’s an appealing option if you’re visiting without much local knowledge, travelling as a small group or simply wanting someone else to work out the route while you concentrate on enjoying the ride.

Ask about the most suitable option for your experience and whether a gravel or easy-trail itinerary is available for your group.

At the southern end of the region, the new Leeuwin Biddi Trail section between Dead Finish and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse gives riders another reason to explore around Augusta.

The approximately 3.3-kilometre section switches between fine granite gravel and accessible concrete path, linking spectacular coastal scenery with the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It’s designed for walking, wheeling and riding, making it a particularly approachable option for families and mixed-ability groups.

It isn’t an all-gravel ride, and that’s part of the appeal. This is a chance to experience the coast without needing a technical bike or advanced skills.

Park near Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse or opposite Waterwheel Road, then ride the trail and take your time with the views.

For current trail information, maps and local advice, call into the Margaret River Visitor Centre or Busselton Visitor Centre. Both provide up-to-date advice on conditions and can tell you how the trails are riding.

Bring a helmet, water bottle and small pack, and make sure someone in your group carries a basic puncture repair kit. Take care where trails cross over roads, follow the road rules and stay on formed tracks rather than riding through vegetation.

Most importantly, give the landscape the same respect it gives you. Take your rubbish with you, leave wildflowers where they are, and if you spot a kangaroo, emu or other wildlife, slow down and give it plenty of space.

Your local bike shop is another great source of information. Tell the staff what sort of ride you’re after: flat and easy, forest and gravel, family-friendly or something a little more adventurous. They’ll point you in the right direction.

Then all that’s left to do is pump up the tyres, clip in and see where the track takes you.