Explore the Preston River Valley region
The Preston River Valley provides the perfect tourist drive between Gnomesville and the Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook. Along the way stop off and say ‘hi’ to the frogs in Frogs Hollow at the intersection of the Donnybrook-Boyup Brook Rd and Ferguson Rd.
Frogs Hollow
Where Ferguson Valley meets Preston River Valley is a quiet hollow where frogs of all shapes and sizes come together to enjoy the serenity of the country life. Stop and say ‘hi’.
Apple fun park
The Apple Fun Park is the largest free entry playground in Australia offering a range of activities and equipment for ages and abilities, including accessible rides. All amenities are available including public toilets, free BBQs and shaded tables and chairs.
Gnomesville
Gnomesville is the magical home to over 3000 Gnomes who have migrated here from all over Australia and around the world. Take time wandering through the villages and glades full of playful, naughty and sentimental Gnomes climbing logs, hanging out in trees, playing cricket, even flying planes! You can find Gnomesville at the eastern Junction Roundabout of Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson Road in Wellington Mill.
Go for a hike on the Bibbulmun Track
This world famous walking track is a dedicated walking track stretching 1000km from Kalamunda to Albany and on the way meanders through the Preston River Valley. The Track is marked with yellow triangular markers symbolising the Waugal – the rainbow serpent of the Aboriginal Dreamtime.
The Bibbulmun crosses the Glen Mervyn Dam wall allowing easy access to the famous trail in both directions. You can choose to do a day trip or camp overnight in at the Yabberup (north) or Noggerup (southern) huts.
Or take a ride along the Munda Biddi Trail
The Munda Biddi Trail is for mountain bikes and stretches from Perth to Albany It crosses the Preston Valley just north of Donnybrook, and like the Bibbulmun Track, is easily accessible for day use.
Kick back and relax at Glen Mervyn Dam
Glen Mervyn Dam is a water recreation destination for waterskiing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Free camping is permitted in marked areas. It is a BYO camping area including cooking as camp or cooking fires are not permitted and only a couple of long drop toilets are available on site. Picnic tables are provided in the day-use area and near the dam wall. For more information on the Water Skiing rules and to check if Glen Mervyn Dam is open for water skiing visit Department of Transport.
Enjoy nature
The Preston River Valley is covered by magnificent stands of jarrah, marri and blackbutt forests and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna which all can be explored in the Wellington National Park, Greater Preston National park and the Mumballup state park.
Djilba and Kambarang (spring) is a great time to visit to see colourful wildflowers. There are lots of native animals here and you might be lucky enough to see chuditch, quokka, quenda, western ringtail possum, brush-tailed phascogale or woylie. Bird life abounds with Forest red-tailed black cockatoo, Carnaby’s black cockatoo and Baudin’s black cockatoo and the peregrine falcon known to occur in the area. Check out our floral and fauna pages where local photographers have started to capture them all.
Directory
Wellington National Park
Preston National Park
Promote Preston acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Kaniyang and Wiilman people of the Noongar Boodjar and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community.