Mount Matilda Short Loop

Starting from the Mount Matilda car park off Waddington-Wongan Road, Wongan Hills, this walk takes you on a circuit past the summit of Mount Matilda via the Mount Matilda Walk Trail. Set among an impressive landscape of natural bushland, wheat fields, rocky outcrops and stunning wildflowers, this is a spectacular walk, especially in spring. A wonderful walk trail progresses up the rocky stairs onto the flat hill of Mount Matilda, then winds through the bushland area with several lookout points along the way. The trail has two loops to choose from. The shorter option features a yellow marker with the malleefowl symbol and is suitable for all fitness levels, while the more challenging option follows a yellow marker with a thorny devil symbol. Both trails venture to the western side of the mesa, providing views of the wheat fields and Lake Hinds. The tracks have seats at every lookout point, as well as interpretive signage detailing the different flora and fauna that can be seen along the way. The trail was actually proposed in the early 1900s, yet it took more than 90 years to construct. You can book a guided tour from the visitor centre if you'd like to learn more about the place. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks

Tips on staying safe on track

Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Transport options and directions

Start	(-30.8214107,116.6378076)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Great Northern Highway, 95, 360, Waddington. Turn on to Waddington-Wongan Hills Road then drive for 11.5 km Turn right onto Toodyay-Bindi Bindi Road, 50 and drive for another 390 m Turn slight left onto Waddington-Wongan Hills Road and drive for another 24.5 km Turn left onto Mount Matilda Scenic Walk Road and drive for another 890 m

Track Notes

Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Mount Matilda car park off Waddington-Wongan Road (1.54km east of the intersection with Wilding Road), head towards the trailhead shelter along the dirt path. Go through the shelter and join the singular dirt walking track as you move directly away from the road. About 540 metres in, veer left and head along the wide management trail. 60 metres later, veer left at the 3-way intersection to continue along Mount Matilda Short Loop (clockwise). This is the recommended direction of travel.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a car park (about 6 m back from the start). Find the toilet at the start.
	After another 510 m turn left.
	After another 60 m veer left.
	After another 230 m find the "Mount Matilda" (25 m on your left). Mount Matilda Mount Matilda At 434m above sea level, Mount Matilda is the highest peak within Wongan Hills, offering uninterrupted panoramic views. The terrain was not good enough for farming or grazing. Therefore the area stayed natural despite all the farmland around it. John Septimus Roe, the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia, discovered Mount Matilda on November 3, 1836, and named the mountain after his wife. + - At 434m above sea level, Mount Matilda is the highest peak within Wongan Hills, offering uninterrupted panoramic views. The terrain was not good enough for farming or grazing. Therefore the area stayed natural despite all the farmland around it. John Septimus Roe, the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia, discovered Mount Matilda on November 3, 1836, and named the mountain after his wife. After another 1.1 km come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
	Turn right.
	After another 390 m veer right.
	After another 550 m turn sharp right.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to a viewpoint where you can get panoramic easterly views. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 610 m turn right.
	After another 520 m veer left.
	After another 60 m turn right.
	After another 540 m come to the end.

This little side trip takes you to a viewpoint where you can get panoramic easterly views.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 60 m come to a viewpoint. The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 60 m to the main route.

Terrain

Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mount Matilda Short Loop

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.6 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 35 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	35 m	[toilet]

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Alerts and Closures