Starting from the Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre off the South Western Highway, Walpole, this walk takes you to Coalmine Beach via the Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail. This easy trail winds around the shoreline of Walpole Inlet through wetlands and forest outcrops until arriving at Coalmine Beach on the scenic Nornalup Inlet. Interpretive signs along the way help walkers imagine what life was like in this area in the 1930s. The first settlers of this gorgeous, secluded place had to be self-sufficient and versatile. Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail presents a glimpse of how these settlers may have scrutinised the natural environment for materials that could be used for food, clothing, tools and building materials. This walk is suitable for all levels of experience and fitness, with much of the walk on boardwalks and the rest on a hard and compacted pea gravel trail. 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.
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.
Turn on to Albany Highway, 1, 30 then drive for 155 m
Keep left onto South Coast Highway, 1 and drive for another 115.8 km
Turn right and drive for another 65 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the Pioneer Park carpark off South Coast Highway, head towards the toilet along the grass/dirt path. Pass by the said toilet (to your left), then take a sharp right turn in front of the visitor centre. Follow the wide grass/dirt trail as you move parallel to the highway (to your right) to continue along Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park (about 55 m back from the start).
After 70 m come to the "Pioneer Park" (on your right).
After another 50 m pass the toilet (7 m on your left). This toilet is male and female.
After another 80 m pass the "Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre" (30 m on your left). This sign is wheelchair accessible.
Then find the "Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre" (40 m on your left).
Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre
Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is a one-stop shop of information provided by local experts and is a great place to get maps, gifts and souvenirs. The friendly team of staff have a wealth of local knowledge on the Walpole wilderness area and can provide assistance with any accommodation and tour requirements.
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The Visitor Centre is a one-stop shop of information provided by local experts and is a great place to get maps, gifts and souvenirs. The friendly team of staff have a wealth of local knowledge on the Walpole wilderness area and can provide assistance with any accommodation and tour requirements.
Then pass the "BBQ and Picnic Area" (60 m on your left).
Turn sharp right.
After another 830 m continue straight.
After another 590 m turn left, to head along Bibbulmun Track.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Bibbulmun Track & Coalmine Beach Road) continue straight, to head along Bibbulmun Track.
After another 45 m to find the "Coalmine Beach Car Park".
After another 20 m turn left, to head along Bibbulmun Track.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Coalmine Beach Access & Bibbulmun Track) turn right, to head along Coalmine Beach Access.
After another 25 m come to "Coalmine Beach".
Coalmine Beach
Coalmine Beach
Walpole's premier beach, Coalmine, is unlike other famous beaches in the southwest region. It hugs the Nornalup Inlet instead of the ocean and has picturesque scenery. Barbecues, toilet facilities and an outdoor shower make this a great place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon at the beach. There is also wheelchair access to a platform for relaxing at the edge of the inlet. The beach is a great place for swimming and provides recreational opportunities for a host of water-based activities, including sailing and windsurfing. The area is a boat-free zone, and the water is shallow and ideal for children. The name of the beach comes from the coal at the cliff bases. There were attempts to mine it, but the low grade of the material lead to the abandonment of such efforts.
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Walpole's premier beach, Coalmine, is unlike other famous beaches in the southwest region. It hugs the Nornalup Inlet instead of the ocean and has picturesque scenery. Barbecues, toilet facilities and an outdoor shower make this a great place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon at the beach. There is also wheelchair access to a platform for relaxing at the edge of the inlet. The beach is a great place for swimming and provides recreational opportunities for a host of water-based activities, including sailing and windsurfing. The area is a boat-free zone, and the water is shallow and ideal for children. The name of the beach comes from the coal at the cliff bases. There were attempts to mine it, but the low grade of the material lead to the abandonment of such efforts.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 3 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Coalmine Beach Heritage Trail
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
6 km
Time
1 h to 2 h
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Bushwalk
1 h to 2 h
30 min to 1 h
Camp site: There is one 15 m from the start.
Toilet: There is one 70 m from the start.
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There is a car park (about 55 m back from the start).
After another 80 m pass the "Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre" (30 m on your left).
Then find the "Walpole-Nornalup Visitor Centre" (40 m on your left).
Then pass the "BBQ and Picnic Area" (60 m on your left).
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Coalmine Beach Access & Bibbulmun Track) turn right, to head along Coalmine Beach Access.
After another 25 m come to "Coalmine Beach".
