Balingup: Walking Trails, History and Unique Festivals

Walking trails, local history and a festival with a medieval theme give Balingup its varied character. The Bibbulmun Track runs through the town, and several named trails invite you to take walks of different lengths. Those interested in history can visit heritage displays and an Avenue of Honour. You can choose between outdoor activity, glimpses into the past and special events for your trip.

Walking trails of different lengths

For a walk close by, the easy Oak Grove Walk is a 1.5-kilometre loop through Golden Valley Tree Park. The park is home to the largest arboretum in the state of Western Australia. The loop combines a manageable distance with a visit to a collection of trees. The 2.2-kilometre Birdwood Park Oaks Walk is also rated easy.

Other trails have different stated lengths: the Balingup Brook Walk is 1.5 kilometres long, and the Kondil Park Walk is 1.2 kilometres long. The Balingup-Grimwade Rd Walk Trail is listed as approximately three hours and 13 kilometres. These details provide practical guidance for planning your day, though they do not imply that all trails take the same amount of time to walk. The Bibbulmun Track also runs through Balingup, adding to the choice of walking trails in town.

If you’re looking for a short loop, consider the two trails specifically described as easy. For longer outings, the stated distance and— for the Balingup-Grimwade Rd Walk Trail—the approximate duration are useful points of comparison. The different details help you fit walks into your stay according to how much you want to do.

History and local life

The Balingup Heritage Display is housed in an old apple-packing shed in the town centre. The Balingup Heritage Exhibition offers insights into the town’s early history and includes static and themed displays about working and social life. Together, these topics offer different ways to explore local history, from past working life to social aspects of the community.

At Balingup Avenue of Honour, names on plaques at the foot of the trees commemorate people who lost their lives in the First World War. The site honours their memory by naming them. Art galleries, antique and other boutique shops, and numerous cafés are also part of what Balingup has to offer. You can combine an interest in local history with time for art, shopping and cafés.

Festivals and other discoveries

Every August, the Balingup Medieval Carnivale transforms the historic village of Balingup into a medieval kingdom. The festival is a distinctive seasonal highlight in the town’s events calendar. Telling Tales in Balingup is scheduled for the middle weekend of the Australian July school holidays. After its first event in July 2010, it was decided that it would be held annually.

The Balingup Small Farm Field Day showcases and sells produce from small farms and cottage industries. It features more than 300 stalls, information booths and various demonstrations. The interactive Balingup Ghost Walk takes you on a two-kilometre route through stories about the town’s pioneers. These experiences focus on different things: agricultural produce and demonstrations on the one hand, and local history told through stories on the other.

Golden Valley Tree Park is close to Balingup. The Balingup Visitor Centre provides information about local attractions, events and tours. Further afield, the Blackwood River Tourist Drive passes through landscapes with historic attractions, good fishing spots and appealing picnic areas. When making your choice, you can consider whether to focus your stay mainly on trails and local history in Balingup, or also explore the wider travel region.

Find the right holiday rental for your stay

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Balingup, it’s worth first deciding which experiences you want to include in your stay: short walks, longer hikes, heritage attractions, shops and cafés, or a visit during one of the listed festivals.

You can also explore other places: Gingin, Lower Chittering, Herne Hill, Glen Forrest, Halls Creek, Rosa Brook, Metricup and Forest Grove.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.