Town of Bridgetown
Facilities
Bushwalking
Toilets available at the Bridgetown Shire
Parking is available
The Old Rectory Trail runs approximately 1km to the west of the iconic Bridgetown timber bridge along the picturesque Blackwood River. This walk trail was originally used by the Anglican Parish Priests when the 'Old Rectory' was located at the end of the trail as the means of linking 'home' to 'work'. The historic (100 year old) St Paul's Anglican Church is located in the Bridgetown town site at the opposite end of the trail, across the bridge. The 'Old Rectory' is now privately owned property, so walkers cannot enter the Rectory itself, but instead can retrace their footsteps back along the trail or access a loop link and return to the timber bridge along the service road adjacent to the Brockman Highway. This affords the walker the opportunity to view the public art sculpture at the southern end of the Bridge. This piece of artwork symbolizes the water drop - water being an element integral to environmental sustainability. This walk connects to the River Park.
Caution should be taken during winter as the river can flood parts of the trail.
The Blackwood River Walk features a unique boardwalk detour which runs through native bush and wetland areas. The walk trail traverses 3.1km along the picturesque Blackwood River and crosses the river over a unique suspension bridge which spans 8 meters across the waterway. The trail and boardwalk can be accessed from the family friendly River Park and at the bottom of Grey's Hill. Canoe and kayak hire is available (through the Bridgetown Caravan Park) with the equipment located at the end of the southern board walk.
The full 8km loop provides entry point access and direction to the river from various starting points and passes through the historically listed residential areas of Bridgetown. The topography in Bridgetown can be quite steep, so there are some great 'heart starter' hills on this trail. The section of the trail that traverses bushland, along the river is slightly undulating with terrain not as steep as some of the residential sections of the trail.
The trail is popular with local dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. You may also share the trail with horse riders.
2 km
5.7 - 6.2km
The Somme Creek Fitness Trail is an outdoor resistance training area which includes six stations of fitness equipment designed to target the whole body and get you into shape. Use them all or pick and choose. A description outlining correct use accompanies each piece of equipment. A 5-10 minute walk along the path is a great way to warm up and cool down after a workout. The fitness trail connects with the art trail to complete the loop at the Library car park.
Always stand clear of fitness equipment when observing others. It is recommended that children under 12 years of age don't use the equipment without adult supervision.
Somme Creek is a revegetated wetland area with native flora which attracts local fauna. This walk trail also provides access to the Bridgetown Library, Skate Park, Bridgetown Swimming Pool and Bridgetown Leisure Centre.
Maslin Reserve is 49 ha of bushland located just a short drive out of Bridgetown, along Peninsula Rd. The Reserve is surrounded by land cleared for housing and farming. The Reserve was created in 1923 as 'timber for settlers'. Timber was taken and so was gravel, leaving the Reserve extensively damaged.
In the 1960 all remaining, mature timber was cut down and sawn at a mill on Peninsula Rd. Mature marris were left and are now the only tall trees.
Despite the damage sutained by logging and the removal of gravel and envirnmental studied carrie dout in 1990 found that the Reserve contained over 160 plant sepcies.
Locals campaigned to retain a reserve, with the land beign vested in local Shire in 1993.Understory plants trigger plants, orchids, peas, wattles, native buttercups and small perennial herbs, native grasses and sedges. There are many wildflowers to see in season and a large variety of birdlife.
Old Rectory Trail
Choose your TRAIL
BLACKWOOD River Walk
Somme Creek Fitness Trail
Maslin Reserve
BRIDGETOWN HERITAGE WALK
Bridgetown was originally called Geegelup, probably taken from the local Aboriginal term for the fresh water crustaceans found in the local brook. The local tribe called these 'guglies' and incorporated them into their diet. Other people changed this term to 'gilgies'. The town was proclaimed on 9 June 1868 as Bridgetown. John Allnutt wrote to the colony's authorities requesting that the town be called Bridgetown because the ship Bridgetown loaded the town's wool at Bun bury and due to the bridge crossing the Blackwood River. This walk allows you to take a step back in time and view some of Bridgetown's heritage buildings, some dating back over 100 years.
An information booklet with detailed descriptions of each location is available from the Bridgetown Visitor Centre.
1.5 km