Busselton Wadandi Loop: A 37km Ride Through History, Wineries, and Hidden Gems

Starting at the Jetty

We started at the Busselton Jetty and headed south along the cycle path towards Dunsborough - a section we've covered before in our Busselton Bike Loop guide, but it's a great way to start any ride. The water was clear and blue, families were out enjoying the summer weather, and the coastal stretch sets a nice pace for the rest of the day.

Our first stop was Tonic on the Bay for a cold drink and some chips to fuel up. It's right on the water and a good spot to ease into the day before the kilometres start adding up.

Up the Vasse River

After Tonic on the Bay we turned inland and followed the path up along the Vasse River - the same section from the Busselton Bike Loop, running alongside the drain with farmland on one side and water on the other. On this day the kangaroos were out in force. We lost count after a dozen. It's a reliable spot for wildlife, and the quiet here is a nice change from the foreshore.

Through Vasse Village

Here's where we deviate from the Busselton Bike Loop. Instead of looping back towards Busselton, we ducked under the bridge and rode past the Vasse Village farmers market. If you're doing this ride on a weekend, it's worth timing your stop here - there's fresh produce, salads, sandwiches, and hot pies and pastries from local producers.

From Vasse we picked up the cycle path heading towards Yallingup, riding through the suburbs and past the local sports grounds where a cricket team was mid-match. Everyone was out making the most of the weather.

The Wadandi Track

Now for the best part. After crossing the Bussell Highway we hit the gravel and joined the Wadandi Track.

This section takes you into the rolling farmlands and wineries that the Margaret River region is known for. Riding through forest, you catch glimpses of green farmland on either side, and the feel of the ride changes - it's quieter and noticeably slower paced.

The Wadandi follows an old railway line that used to run from Augusta to Busselton. Currently only two sections are open to riders: Cowaramup to Witchcliffe, and this Busselton section. Being able to ride the Wadandi from the Busselton Jetty is something a lot of people - locals included - don't realise is possible.

At the end of the track we came across an old rail bridge passing over a small stream, a good reminder of the history of this corridor. It's a natural spot to stop and take in how much the region has changed since the trains ran through here.

Lentedal Winery

After the Wadandi we hopped onto Vasse Yallingup Siding Road and rode about 2 kilometres up to Lentedal Winery. This place isn't well known, which is part of the appeal. There's eclectic artwork scattered around, tents and outdoor seating areas, and - worth mentioning - camels. They also have an outdoor movie theatre and show films on Saturday nights.

We stopped for a sparkling wine before heading on. It's the kind of place you'd easily ride past without knowing it's there.

Chain Ave and the Farmlands

Turning left from the winery we rode another kilometre down Vasse Yallingup Siding Road before reaching Chain Ave. This is the longest stretch on a road without a dedicated cycle path, but it's also some of the best scenery on the ride.

For about 3 kilometres you get open views of local farms, and the few cars that passed gave us plenty of room. It's quiet and feels well removed from the tourist spots, even though the coast is only a short ride away.

At the end of Chain Ave sits Flametree Wines. We didn't stop this time as they close at 5pm, but it's worth working into your schedule if you can.

The Coastal Run Home

After Flametree we were back on the Busselton Dunsborough cycle path and heading north towards Busselton. This section has a pleasant inland stretch along the river and passes some large houses right on the beach. With about 10 to 15 kilometres to go and most of it coastal, it's a comfortable finish to a long ride.

We arrived back at the Jetty about 4 hours after we left. All up we covered 37 kilometres in roughly 2.5 hours of riding time at a leisurely pace - with plenty of stops for chips, wine, and kangaroo spotting along the way.