The Old Timberline and Sidings Rail Trails combine to form the 37 kilometre Timberline Loop.
You can choose a half day mountain bike ride or 2 day hiking trip, camping out along the way, following the path of wood powered steam driven locomotives from the forest to the Barrabup Mill and later Nannup Mill.
Starting from Foreshore Park, the first section of the trail, when hiked or ridden in an anti-clockwise direction follows the Munda Biddi Trail and is also known as the 15 kilometre Sidings Rail Trail. The trail is a wide smooth gravel path with a gentle uphill slope.
At the northern extremity of the loop you turn left and head south onto the 22 kilometre Timberline Trail and back to the start. This section of the trail is a little hillier and passes through some lovely forest along the banks of the St Johns Brook. You will pass the Sleeper Hewers Campsite, the ruins of a 100 year old once spectacular railway bridge, Barrabup Pool where you can have a swim in the warmer weather and Workman’s Pool before heading back into Nannup on mostly easy single track. Camping is permitted at these three locations. The Sleeper Hewers Camp has a hut with bunk beds for 8 people, a rain water tank, toilets, picnic table and access to the river for swimming.
Barrabup Pool and Workman’s Pool have toilets and picnic tables provided. There are several vehicle access points along the trail where you can choose to walk or ride a shorter section if desired.
Rail line history
The Nannup Branch Railway from Wonnerup to Jarrahwood was completed in 1898 by the Jarrah Wood and Saw Mills Company to transfer timber from their lease to the port of Busselton. The line operated until 1903 and was bought by WA Government Railways in 1907.
The line was completed to Nannup via Cambray Siding in 1909. The Kauri Timber Company built a connecting tramway to Cambray Siding to serve Barrabup Mill on the banks of St Johns Brook. This tramway operated until a new mill was established in Nannup in 1925, when the Barrabup Mill and timber town closed. The Old Timberline Trail follows the form of the Kauri Timber Company’s old tramway, while the section of the Nannup Branch Railway from Jarrahwood to Nannup forms the Sidings Rail Trail.