Index > Balingup to Collie > Section info, diversions and groups
BALINGUP TO COLLIE SECTION INFO, DIVERSIONS AND GROUPS Updated: 2026-03-26 23:30 DIVERSIONS Wellington Dam Spur Trail The 19km Wellington Dam spur trail links the Bibbulmun Track from near Yabberup campsite, just south of Collie, to the Wellington Dam recreation area in the Wellington National Park. The spur trail was identified as an ideal project to develop due to its proximity to the Perth population base, handy vehicle access and easy linkage to other recreational activities in the area including mountain biking and canoeing. The trail can be walked as a three day/two night or two day/one night walk. It has two new group campsites (Lyall’s Mill and Arcadia). The campsites do not have a sleeping shelter, just an undercover area, tables, toilet and tent sites. In 2023 a new walkway opened across Collie’s Wellington Dam, above the huge ‘Reflections’ mural. The 367m long walkway will initially only be open on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, but is expected eventually to be open daily. The walkway will allow hikers to finish at the kiosk. The Wellington Spur Trail is also used by the five-day, four-night 87km Wiilman Bilya Trail, which circles Wellington Dam. Directions Lyall's Mill campsite is approximately 350 metres away from Yabberup campsite (300m from the spur/Track junction). Arcadia campsite is on the spur trail between 3.5km south of the Wellington Dam wall. Lyall's Mill campsite is approximately 20km to the south of Collie along the Bibbulmun Track. From the other direction, it sits approximately 6km north of the Glen Mervyn Dam providing a challenging or easy day's walk depending on the age of the group and/or the travel time to get to the drop-off/pick-up point. The spur trail is marked with a green Waugal trail marker to differentiate it. Glen Mervyn Dam The Bibbulmun Track has been permanently realigned for 1.4km west away from the edge of the Glen Mervyn Dam. This has taken place to take walkers away from unsightly waste near the old alignment. Directions From the north, the new alignment leaves the old alignment around 150m before reaching Best Rd. It then rejoins the original alignment around 1.5km later near a creek crossing 800m before crossing the dam wall. Campfires Prohibited – Collie Location: Collie to Balingup Campfire bans are now in place at all campsites along this section including: - Yabberup - Lyall’s Mill Group Campsite - Arcadia Group Campsite - Noggerup - Grimwade Walkers will need to use their fuel stoves. Campfire bans are usually in force until at least March, and sometimes April, along the entire length of the Bibbulmun Track. During campfire bans, walkers are not permitted to light any campfires or wood operated stoves and should carry a fuel stove. Campfire bans are lifted based on weather and other conditions. During the summer months, when bushfires are a very real danger, a total fire ban may be declared. On these days, walkers are not permitted to light any fires whatsoever including lighting a fuel stove. For information about locations of current total fire bans visit Emergency WA. For further information, please contact the Parks and Wildlife Service Wellington office on (08) 9735 1988. Prescribed burn Preston National Park Location: Area around Grimwade Campsite The Bibbulmun Track is closed for 1.5km due to re-ignition of a prescribed burn. A 3.2km diversion is in place. Grimwade Campsite is CLOSED. A temporary campsite with water and a portable toilet is available. There is no shelter and a tent or similar is advised. The original route will remain closed until declared safe. Download the map. (PDF) For your safety DO NOT enter any closed trail, even if there are no indications of prescribed burning activity. Stay on the marked diversion and follow all signage or instructions from Parks and Wildlife staff. Walkers should be aware of fire operations vehicles and other traffic in the area. For more information contact the Parks and Wildlife Service Busselton office on (08) 9752 5555. Start Date: 2026/02/23 04:23 PM Affected Site/s: Bibbulmun Track, Grimwade Hut Plantation Timber Harvest Operations – Wellington Spur Trail Location: Between Lyalls Mill and Arcadia Group Campsites Plantation timber harvesting activity will commence on Tuesday, March 3 and continue through to Tuesday, May 12. Heavy vehicles will be utilising Wrights Road and Bussell Road. There is no diversion in place. Walkers need to exercise extreme caution when crossing these roads and bear in mind that heavy vehicles have reduced sightlines and increased stopping distances. For your safety adhere to and follow all signage and instructions from Parks and Wildlife and other staff. Walkers should be aware that prior to the harvesting commencing there will be an increased number of forestry vehicles and other traffic in the area. For more information, contact either the Forest Products Commission on (08) 9363 4600 or the Parks and Wildlife Service Wellington office on (08) 9735 1988. Timber Harvesting near Grimwade Campsite Location: North of Grimwade Campsite Timber harvesting activity will commence at Thompson Brook Plantation on Monday 20 January 2025. Heavy vehicles will be utilising Clarke Road within Wilga State Forest and exiting to the east. There is no diversion in place. Walkers need to exercise extreme caution when crossing Clarke Road and bear in mind that heavy vehicles have reduced sightlines and increased stopping distances. For your safety adhere to and follow all signage and instructions from Parks and Wildlife and other staff. Walkers should be aware of forestry vehicles and other traffic in the area. For more information, contact either the Forest Products Commission on (08) 9363 4600 or the Parks and Wildlife Service Blackwood office on (08) 9752 5555. Wellington spur access Location: Wellington Dam DBCA has advised that the Wellington Dam Road bridge is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians in line with recent safety and engineering advice. Walkers wishing to access the spur trail can do so via walking across the dam wall from the north side which is open 9am to 5pm. All vehicles can still access the main parking areas at the mural and kiosk via Wellington Dam Road. Light vehicles can also continue to access these areas via River Road. Work to replace the bridge with an improved structure is being progressed as a priority by the Water Corporation but it is likely not to be completed until mid-2026. For more information and updates on the Wellington Dam Road bridge replacement project, visit: GROUPS ON TRACK Lyall’s Mill Group Campsite: 12 people, BTC115, 2 May, 2026 Arcadia Group Campsite: 30 people, BTC72, 25 March, 2026 Arcadia Group Campsite: 30 people, BTC72, 26 March, 2026 Arcadia Group Campsite: 30 people, BTC72, 27 March, 2026 Yabberup Campsite: 17 people, BTC9, 3 April, 2026 Yabberup Campsite: 17 people, BTC125, 26 September, 2026 Noggerup Campsite: 17 people, BTC9, 4 April, 2026 Noggerup Campsite: 10 people, BTC136, 20 August, 2026 Noggerup Campsite: 17 people, BTC125, 27 September, 2026 Grimwade Campsite: 17 people, BTC9, 5 April, 2026 Grimwade Campsite: 10 people, BTC136, 21 August, 2026 Grimwade Campsite: 17 people, BTC125, 28 September, 2026
All data from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation Collie section guide.