Collie – Darkan Rail Trail

The Collie–Darkan Rail Trail is a 61.5km shared-use adventure through Western Australia’s South West and Southern Wheatbelt, following the former railway between Buckingham, east of Collie, and Dardadine beyond Darkan. The relatively flat route rolls through jarrah forest, native bushland and open farmland, crossing a series of restored railway bridges and passing historic sidings and the preserved railway stations at Bowelling and Darkan. The trail is predominantly coarse gravel and compacted earth, making it well suited to mountain bikes, touring bikes and gravel bikes with wider tyres. It can be ridden as a big one-day challenge or broken into sections: Buckingham to Bowelling (18km), Bowelling to Darkan (28.5km) and Darkan to Dardadine (15km). Spring is particularly beautiful, when wildflowers including orchids, kangaroo paws and blue leschenaultia add plenty of colour along the route. RTS Tip: Despite the name, the developed rail trail doesn’t currently start in Collie itself — the western trailhead is at Buckingham, around 18km east of town. If tackling the full route, plan your transport and supplies carefully as services are limited, with food and supplies available only in Collie and Darkan. Bowelling Station can be used as an overnight stop, but its rainwater supply is seasonal, not guaranteed and must be treated before drinking.