Dwellingup Guide 2024

Dwellingup, Western Australia, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and fascinating history. Situated just over an hour’s drive from the city, Dwellingup is the perfect weekend Perth getaway.

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Where to Eat – Dwellingup

Wine Tree Cidery

Wine Tree Cidery specialises in small-batch artisanal ciders and wines using fruit from their orchard. You can visit their cellar door to enjoy a drink along with a grazing board.

This is one of our favourite spots in Dwellingup. If you’re there in winter, their mulled wine is delicious as is the melted Camembert in garlic Cobb.

Open weekends from 11 am to 6 pm and Friday for drinks only from 2 pm to 6 pm. Book ahead in peak times.

Dwellingup Hotel

The historic Dwellingup Hotel & Motel, or the Dwelly Pub as it’s known, was built in 1911 and is one of the few buildings to survive the 1961 fires. Enjoy a drink in front of the fire or out in the beer garden.

The menu features a variety of delicious pub classics, like burgers, pizzas, fish & chips and curry. We didn’t eat there but enjoyed a drink.

Waypoints Café

This popular café is part of the Visitor Centre and overlooks the park. It can be hard to get a table in peak times though.

South Dandalup Dam

The dam is a 10-minute drive from Dwellingup and an important part of the state’s water supply. When built in the 1970s, it provided a reliable water source for the growing Perth population. Today, the dam is surrounded by bushland and provides a beautiful picnic spot with barbecues. Look out for robins, finches, blue wrens and kangaroos.

Dwellingup Accommodation

Dwellingup offers a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. For those who enjoy camping, the area has several campgrounds and caravan parks, including Lane Poole Reserve and the Dwellingup Chalet and Caravan Park.

Several self-contained cottages and chalets are also available for rent, such as Dwellingup Mill House.

Dwellingup Camping

Camping is one of the most popular ways to experience the natural beauty of Dwellingup. Lane Poole Reserve is a popular bush campsite offering several pet-friendly campgrounds with a range of facilities and amenities, including toilets and barbecue facilities.

Dwellingup Weather

Dwellingup has a Mediterranean climate characterised by warm summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is around 17.3°C, with January being the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of around 29.4°C, while July is the coldest, with an average temperature of around 8.6°C. You can expect comfortable temperatures throughout the year, with plenty of sunshine and relatively low humidity.

In terms of rainfall, Dwellingup receives an average of around 884 mm per year, with the wettest months being June to August. The summer months of December to February are generally drier, with occasional thunderstorms. The region is also prone to bushfires during the hot and dry summer months, so you should be mindful of any fire warnings or restrictions in place.

Dwellingup’s climate is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Dwellingup Location

Dwellingup is a small town in the Peel region of Western Australia, approximately 100 km south of Perth. The drive time is around 90 minutes.

Dwellingup History

• Before European settlement, the Dwellingup area was inhabited by the Noongar people.
• In the late 19th century, timber cutters moved into the area, and the timber industry boomed, with many mills and sawmills operating.
• In the 1940s, a prisoner of war camp was established in Marrinup, near Dwellingup, to house Italian and German prisoners during World War II.
• In 1961, a devastating bushfire swept through the Dwellingup area, destroying many homes, businesses, and forests.
• In recent years, Dwellingup has become a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, with a range of outdoor activities and cultural experiences on offer.

Animals Found in and around Dwellingup

Dwellingup and the surrounding region are home to diverse animal species. The forested areas of Lane Poole Reserve and the Murray River provide habitats for many native animals.

Western Grey Kangaroo

The Western Grey Kangaroo is a common sight in the bushland around Dwellingup and can often be seen grazing in the early morning or late afternoon.

Emu

The bushland around Dwellingup is home to the Emu, Australia’s largest bird. These flightless birds are commonly spotted foraging for food in open grassy areas.

Black Cockatoo

The Black Cockatoo is a distinctive, striking bird known for its loud, raucous calls.

Kookaburra

The Kookaburra is a well-known Australian bird that can be heard “laughing” in the trees.

Western Brush Wallaby

The Western Brush Wallaby is a small marsupial usually only seen at dawn or dusk.

Possums

Several species of possums can be found in the forests around Dwellingup, including the Common Brushtail Possum and the Western Ringtail Possum.

Reptiles

The region also has various reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles.

It’s important to remember that many of these animals are wild and should be treated with respect – observe animals from a safe distance and avoid disturbing their natural habitats.

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