Located on the edge of Bridgetown within the beautiful Southern Forests & Valleys region, Wheatley Camp is a fully equipped equine-friendly campsite and one of the key trailheads along the Warren Blackwood Stock Route. Surrounded by rolling countryside and close to town services, the campsite provides riders and horses with a comfortable and accessible overnight stop while travelling through the historic stock route.

Wheatley Camp offers riders the opportunity to rest, replenish supplies, and explore the charming heritage town of Bridgetown before continuing their journey along the trail. As one of the major stopping points on the route, the campsite combines the convenience of nearby town amenities with the peaceful atmosphere of a purpose-built equestrian facility.

Facilities

Wheatley Camp includes:

  • Sleeping shelter
  • 4 horse yards
  • Toilet facilities
  • Picnic table
  • Fire pit
  • Town water supply
  • Designated camping and rest areas
  • Trail signage and route information

As one of the main trailheads on the Warren Blackwood Stock Route, Wheatley Camp provides easy access for riders beginning or finishing sections of the trail.

Trail users are asked to respect the campsite facilities, clean up after themselves and their horses, and help preserve the natural environment for future visitors.

Trail Distances

  • Distance from Davies Camp: approximately 37km
  • Distance to Mottram Camp (Manjimup): approximately 45km

Wheatley Camp is an ideal stopping point for riders looking to explore Bridgetown, enjoy a rest day, or prepare for the next stage of their Warren Blackwood Stock Route adventure.

Phone Signal & Safety

Mobile phone coverage is generally available at Wheatley Camp due to its proximity to Bridgetown; however, riders should still travel prepared and not rely solely on mobile reception while on the trail.

Before travelling, riders are encouraged to:

  • Carry maps and navigation tools
  • Inform someone of their travel plans and expected arrival times
  • Carry emergency and first aid equipment
  • Carry sufficient food and water supplies
  • Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) where possible
  • Ensure horses are adequately prepared for long-distance trail conditions

Water, Fire & Emergency Information

Town water is available at Wheatley Camp through a tap located on the side of the shelter. Riders are encouraged to use water responsibly and ensure horses are watered appropriately before continuing along the route.

Campfires are only permitted in designated fire pits where provided and must comply with all current fire restrictions and Total Fire Ban requirements. Riders should check local fire conditions before travelling and never leave fires unattended.

In an emergency:

  • Dial 000
  • Follow emergency services instructions and evacuation advice where applicable
  • Contact the relevant local authority or Visitor Centre once safe

Trail conditions may change due to weather, maintenance works, bushfire risk, or environmental conditions. Riders should always check current trail alerts and closures before commencing their journey.

Bookings

Wheatley Camp is an open-access campsite and bookings are not required. Trail users are encouraged to notify someone of their travel itinerary before commencing their journey along the Warren Blackwood Stock Route.

An insight from the family:
Once the drovers and their cattle reached the coast there was no time for horsing
around as there was plenty of work to be done. On the unfenced leases, the cattle
were left to roam but on others, fences had to be checked and water sources
cleaned out and made useable again.
 
When the cattle were settled and all of the work was done, there may have been
some time for fishing or marroning before the drovers headed back up to their home
properties. The cattle were left on the coast for around four months until the winter
rains arrived to replenish the inland farms.
 
At the end of the spell on the coast, the drovers would return to muster their cattle.
Riders would head out in different directions, find a mob of cattle and bring them
back to a central area. A number of cattle would have bells around their necks which
was a great aid to finding them in the bush.
 
The journey home would take several days with many cows heavy with calf.
 
‘it would take us about three to four days to round all these cattle up in the scrub,
mainly by following the sound of the bells we’d find the groups.’


‘….Take the reins and follow in the hoof prints of the drovers who made the annual
journey to the coast seeking additional pastures for their cattle.
 
“I’d heard stories about it from dad, about the coast run and I remember I arrived
there on horseback with a rucksack in front of me and saddlebags down beside the
horse. And all the sand hills [we] had to climb up and over, and all the kangaroos hopping around in the scrub and the plains. It was entirely different from home and I
found it very interesting.’
Thomas Wheatley