Lane Poole Reserve

a river running through a forestEmpty heading

Website Accessibility

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Cultural Recognition

We recognise and acknowledge Pinjarup and Wiilman people as the traditional owners of Lane Poole Reserve. 

A photo of the Murray River. The river is flat and glassy, reflecting the pastel blue and pink sky above. Trees and bush line each side of the river.
The Pinjarup and Wiilman people are the traditional owners of Lane Poole Reserve. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Empty headingOverview of Lane Poole Reserve

Whether you’re after an amazing adventure, or some rest and relaxation, Lane Poole Reserve has something for everyone. 

Lane Poole Reserve is located just outside of Dwellingup in the Murray River Valley; about 1.5 hours by car from Perth City. This part of the valley consists of beautiful forest, rolling hills, and of course, the meandering Murray River. 

Dwaarlindjirraap is a popular spot in the Reserve, and is the perfect place to swim, paddle, or picnic by the river. Barbecues, accessible toilets and accessible parking are available here too. Always be mindful around water (read our Safety section for more information). 

Multiple sites provide plenty of camping opportunities under the canopy of blackbutt, jarrah and marri trees, as well as along the river. For more information on camping at Lane Poole Reserve, visit Park Stay WA. 

Adventurers can try kayaking or canoeing in the colder months, when rainfall sees the river flowing much faster. Mountain biking is another great way to explore Lane Poole Reserve, with a network of mountain bike trails weaving throughout the Reserve and surrounding forest. 

There are plenty more places to explore, so be sure to check out our Points of Interest section. Dogs are welcome in some areas (check signage) and must be kept on a leash at all times.  

An entry fee or a Park Pass is required to enter Lane Poole Reserve. Visit the ‘Park Passes’ tile on the home screen of the Every Kid in a Park app for a 50% off discount code, or see the entry fees listed below: 

Cost of Entry*

Private vehicle with up to 12 occupants  

  • $17 per vehicle  
  • $10 per vehicle concession  

Private vehicle with more than 12 occupants  

  • $8 per occupant 6 years or older  
  • $3.50 per occupant concession  

Motorcycle  

  • $10 per motorbike  
  • No concession  

No entry fee applies if you walk or cycle into the park.

*Prices accurate as of January 2024, refer to the Explore Parks WA website for up to date pricing.

A photo of a camping site at Lane Poole Reserve. Two people sit on camp chairs facing away from the camera. A tent and picnic bench can be seen in the background. Tall trees and bush surround the campsite.
A photo of the Murray River. The river is flat and glassy, reflecting the wildflowers, trees and bushes on the opposite bank.
A photo taken from above by a drone, of a dirt road at Lane Poole Reserve. The orange dirt road is lined by thick, green pine forest on each side. A car is driving along the road.
A photo of a sign for the Quokkamoly mountain bike trail. The sign features an image of a quokka, text that reads “Quokkamoly”, and an arrow pointing towards the trail. The red dirt trail, trees and bushland can be seen in the background.
A photo taken from above by a drone, of two people kayaking on the river. The river is a dark blue colour and is lined by tall trees and bushland on both sides.

Download the Every Kid in a Park app to use the interpretive map featuring photographs and additional information about each point.

 

Points of Interest

Key points of interest include:  

  • Bob’s Crossing  
  • Dwaarlindjirraap 
  • Entry Station 
  • Island Pool 
  • Scarp Pool  
  • Scarp Lookout 
A photo of a small signpost that points visitors in the direction of a walk trail. The sign sits amongst some tall trees on the forest floor.
A photo of the Murray River at Dwaalindjirrap. The river is calm and flat. On the left bank are some steel stairs leading down into the water, and tall trees and bushland.
A photo of signs at the entry station of Lane Poole Reserve. The sign in focus explains the entry fees and campsite bookings. A road winds into the distance and is lined by tall trees.
A photo of stairs shaped from the natural ground (red dirt/gravel) leading down to the river access and Island Pool. Tall trees and green bushland and shrubs line each side of the stairs. The river can be seen flowing past at the bottom.
A photo of the Murray River at Scarp Pool. The river is flat and calm to the left, before it flows over lots of grey rocks and starts to rush. The opposite side of the riverbank is lined by tall trees and green bushes.
A photo of the view from Scarp Lookout. A wooden bench provides seating for visitors. Through a gap in the tall trees and bushland, the landscape below can be seen, which appears to be grassy green fields and rolling hills.

Resources

Nature Play WA is currently creating fun and interactive resources for Lane Poole Reserve. Throughout October, we will be releasing these resources to assist families in planning their visit to the park.  

  • Accessible Nature Guide 
  • Social Story (including sensory guide and communication board)

Accessible Nature Guide for Lane Poole Reserve

Our Accessible Nature document features all you need to know about recreational activities available in the park, the number and location of key amenities, a map, communications board and more. It’s available to download as a PDF or an accessible Word version, to […]

Social Story for Dwaarlindjirraap in Lane Poole Reserve

This Social Story™ aims to help people of all abilities to plan and prepare for their visit to Dwaarlindjirraap in Lane Poole Reserve by explaining what they can expect on the day of their visit. It’s available to download as […]

Every Kid in a Park Resources

Discover fun activities to do at any park!

Activity Sheet: Invent a Scent

Become a master of scents by searching for and combining the best smells of nature. Can you create the perfect perfume? This document is available to download as a PDF or Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit. Download PDF version Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: Seeing Sound

Sounds are only for our ears……. or are they? Find a quiet spot to sit and listen. What can you hear? Use this activity sheet to record and describe the sounds. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Texture Tag

Use this activity sheet to go on an adventure and explore textures around the park! Touch leaves, bark and even the ground, and describe the features. This document is available as a PDF and an Accessible Word version, to help you plan your visit.   Download PDF Download Accessible Word version

Activity Sheet: The Bravery Award

With the help of this activity sheet, you’re going to attempt to overcome a fear. That means it’s time to put on a brave face! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Barefoot Bootcamp

Explore the world through your feet with the help of this activity sheet. On your next outdoor adventure, take off your shoes and play barefoot for a new sensory experience! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: A Place of Your Own

For some people, finding a special quiet place helps them connect to nature. Use this activity sheet to find a place in nature of your own. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Plant Pose

Plants grow in all shapes and sizes; just like people! Use this activity sheet to explore the natural environment, or have someone describe it to you. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Stories in the Sky

Find a good place to sit or lay down and watch the clouds in the sky. Take notice of their colours, textures and shapes, or have someone describe these to you. Use this activity sheet to create a story in the sky! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: The Awareness Game

Being aware of your surroundings is a wonderful skill. In this activity, you will be using your senses to test your awareness of the natural environment! This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Activity Sheet: Colour Wonderful

There are so many colours in the natural world. In this activity, you’ll head outdoors with a trusted person as you explore the rainbow of colours and count the shades of nature together. This document is available to download here. Download your copy

Plants and Animals

See if you can spot some of these plants and animals during your visit!  

Animals

Land
  • Quokka 
  • Woylie 
  • Chuditch 
  • Western three-lined skink 
  • Slender tree frog 
Birds 
  • Noisy scrub-bird 
  • Baudin’s, Carnaby’s, and Red-tailed black cockatoo 
  • Grey fantail 
  • Australian ring neck 
  • Splendid fairy-wren
River 
  • Marron 
  • Rainbow trout 
  • Redfin perch 
A photo of a quokka – a small, round, furry marsupial.
A photo of a woylie – a small marsupial that looks a bit like a mouse.
A photo of a skink – a long, snake-like lizard.
A photo of a slender tree frog clinging to a green reed. The frog is small and brown in colour.
A photo of two red-tailed black cockatoos sitting on a tree branch. They are large, black birds, with yellow stripes and spots on their bodies and faces, and bright orange and red tail feathers.
A photo of a grey fantail – a very small bird with a round body and long tail feathers. It is grey and black in colour, with streaks of light grey.
A photo of an Australian ringneck - a parrot with a green body, yellow neck and a dark blue/black head.
A photo of a splendid fairy-wren – a very small bird with a round, bright blue body, and long, bright blue tail feathers.
A photo of a rainbow trout fish. It’s a long, oval-shaped fish that is dull yellow colour, covered in small black spots and has a red stripe along its side.
A photo of a redfin perch fish. It’s a small, long fish, that has a light green, shimmery body with thick black vertical stripes. It has streaks of orange on some of its bottom fins.

Plants

Wildflowers 
  • Donkey orchid 
  • River banksia 
  • Pointed leaved acacia
Trees 
  • Blackbutt 
  • Jarrah 
  • Marri 
  • Balga/Grass tree
A photo of a donkey orchid flower. It has two big, yellow petals that stand upwards. There are four smaller petals underneath that are yellow and dark pink.
A photo of a river banksia flower. It looks like a large bottlebrush, with a yellow centre and thin red stamens that stick outwards.
A photo of a wattle flowers. The flowers are small, round, yellow and fluffy.
A photo of a jarrah tree. It’s a tall tree with dark brown bark and sparse branches with green leaves.
A photo of a marri tree. It has a thick trunk with light brown bark. The branches grow towards the top of the trunk and have green leaves.
A photo of a grass tree. The top of the tree is covered in very long, thin "leaves”, which stick outwards to form a sphere shape, and then droop downwards towards the trunk.

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Safety

Water activities (swimming, paddling) are very popular at Lane Poole Reserve. Freshwater play is different to swimming pools and the beach, so follow the advice below to be aware of the hazards: 

  • Supervise children at all times. 
  • Be aware of submerged hazards – objects under the water can be difficult to spot. 
  • Do not dive or jump into the river from platforms, banks or trees. 
  • Heavy rains can increase water levels and speed. Always plan to kayak or canoe according to your skill and ability.  
  • The river is a natural water body and water quality is not guaranteed. 

Please take the time to read more information on the Explore Parks WA website: 

Keeping your pet safe: 

Dogs are allowed in the recreation area of Lane Poole Reserve but must be kept on a leash at all times.  

The department conducts baiting with 1080 poison as part of its Western Shield animal conservation program in Lane Poole Reserve. This includes the King Jarrah Walk Trail, the Captain Fawcett Track, the Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi Trail.  

1080 poison is lethal to dogs and it is recommended that dogs are not taken outside of designated campgrounds or the recreation area. 

A photo of two people riding on a mountain bike trail. The trail winds through low-growing green scrub and bushland.
It’s important to only take on activities within your capability. Photo credit: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Photo by Josh Cowling.

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Conservation

Lane Poole Reserve is an important location to the Pinjarup and Wiilman people, and home to many plants and animals. Follow the tips below to assist in the protection of the Lane Poole Reserve environment. 

  • Only follow marked walk trails. 
  • Only camp on designated camping sites.    
  • Leave no trace. Ensure all food and rubbish is contained and out of reach of wildlife and take all belongings with you when you leave.   
  • Do not feed wildlife.    
  • Do not disturb or displace plants and animals. 
  • Follow campfire regulations. 

A photo of a very tall tree with a thin trunk rising up to the sky. Its branches spread out at the very top, and it doesn’t have many leaves.
It’s important to conserve the wildlife at Lane Poole Reserve that has been here for hundreds of years.

Acknowledgements

Visit the Explore Parks website for more information and Lane Poole Reserve. 

Nature Play WA would like to thank the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for providing valuable information about Serpentine National Park. 

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