ITINERARY
Ready for your Walpole adventure? Ready to explore giant tingle forests, pristine waterways and endless nature based activities? Walpole is the perfect place for a family adventure. This two-day, one-night itinerary offers a fun and adventure filled way for your visit to the belly button of the world! Here is a detailed version of the below itineraries: Walpole – Sample 2 Day 1 Night Itinerary.
TWO DAYS IN WALPOLE - SAMPLE FAMILY ITINERARY
Spend two days exploring the forests, waterways and wild coastline of the Walpole–Nornalup region. Choose the Classic Walpole experience or an Outdoor Adventure Day, depending on your interests.
DAY ONE
OPTION ONE – A CLASSIC DAY IN WALPOLE
8:00am – Take a short drive to John Rate Lookout for sweeping views across the forest and Nornalup Inlet. If you feel like stretching your legs, walk a short section of the Bibbulmun Track.
9:00am – Visit the Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre to pick up a map, book your WOW Wilderness EcoCruise or Tree Top Walk tickets and browse locally made crafts and souvenirs. Don’t forget to pick up your own iconic “Walpole, Belly Button of the World” t-shirt?
9:45am – Board the WOW Wilderness EcoCruise for a relaxing 2.5-hour journey through the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets, including local stories, wildlife spotting and morning tea. This is a highly rated must-do in Walpole (don’t forget to book your tickets in advance to secure your seats!).
1:00pm – Enjoy lunch at Marron Tale Cafe and try the famous locally grown marron – WA’s freshwater crayfish.
2:30pm – Visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, where a gentle walkway lifts you 40 metres into the forest canopy. An absolute iconic activity in Walpole!
4:00pm – Finish the afternoon at Conspicuous Cliff for dramatic coastal views and possible whale sightings (in season).
Evening – Stay overnight at local accommodation such as Tinglewood Cabins or Coalmine Beach Holiday Park and enjoy a relaxed evening.
OPTION TWO – OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY
This itinerary is perfect for those who have their own kayaks or canoes and ready for a day exploring the waterways of the Walpole Wilderness.
Ready for one of the most spectacular paddles of your life?
8:00am – Grab breakfast or picnic supplies from Green Eats Cafe, Golden Wattle Bakery, or the Village Grocer Walpole.
9:00am – Paddle the Frankland River – Launch from the Nornalup Canoe Launch and explore the peaceful Frankland River.
Popular paddle distances:
• 602 Day Use Area – 2.9 km one way
• Monastery Landing – 5 km one way
1:00pm – Swim, relax or explore – stop at the Coalmine Beach Recreation Area for swimming, fishing, picnicking or walking through the scenic knolls.
3:00pm – Visit the Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre to browse locally made crafts and souvenirs. Don’t forget to pick up your own iconic “Walpole, Belly Button of the World” t-shirt? Try the Horseyard Hill Walk Trail (2.5 km), a peaceful walk through karri and tingle forest.
Evening – Stay overnight at local accommodation such as Tinglewood Cabins or Coalmine Beach Holiday Park and enjoy a relaxed evening.
DAY TWO
OPTION ONE – A CLIMBING CHALLENGE OR MEANDERING STROLL
8:00am – Grab breakfast or picnic supplies from Green Eats Cafe,Golden Wattle Bakery, or theVillage Grocer Walpole.
9:00am – Explore Mount Frankland (Caldyanup). Drive 29 km north to Mount Frankland.
Choose your adventure:
• Accessible lookout walk
• Loop trail around the base
• Summit climb via 300+ steps for panoramic views
11:00pm – Picnic in the forest at Mount Frankland or Fernhook Falls
12:00pm – Visit Fernhook Falls where the Deep River flows over granite boulders.
Summer brings calm swimming spots, while winter reveals the famous “cappuccino foam” effect.
2:00pm – Explore Mandalay Beach, with views of limestone cliffs and Chatham Island. At low tide you may spot remnants of the Mandalay shipwreck.
4:00pm –Head back to town to browse works by local artists at Petrichor Gallery and the Walpole Makers Collective.
Evening – Celebrate the end of your trip with dinner at on of the local restaurants:
• Walpole Hotel
• Tree Top Walk Motel Restaurant
• Philippine Magic Cafe
OPTION TWO – EXPLORE THE GIANTS TRAILS NETWORK
This itinerary is perfect for those who have their own mountain bikes and ready for a day on the trails.
8:30am –Grab breakfast or picnic supplies from Green Eats Cafe, Golden Wattle Bakery, or the Village Grocer Walpole.
9:00am – Explore the Giants Trails, a growing network of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Start from:
• Walpole Trailhead Pioneer Park
• Giants Trailhead
1:00pm – Drive to Hilltop Lookout for views across the Frankland River to Saddle Island.
2:00pm – Visit the Giant Tingle Tree. Walk along the Bibbulmun Track (6km return from Hilltop Lookout) or drive to the Giant Tingle Tree, one of the largest girthed flowering trees in Australia!
3:30pm – Finish the day at Circular Pool, a beautiful picnic area on the Frankland River.
Evening – Celebrate the end of your trip with dinner at on of the local restaurants:
• Walpole Hotel
• Tree Top Walk Motel Restaurant
• Philippine Magic Cafe
Looking for more things to do in Walpole?
Check out our Things to See & Do, Tours & Guided Experiences or Tracks & Trails pages.
