February 7th, 2015

Published by: Aaron Schubert

Finding the Waroona

4WD Tracks in WA
Waroona 4WD Tracks

Waroona Dam/Lake Navarino

by Aaron Schubert on December 7, 2014

The proper name for this spectacular place is Lake Navarino.

Still, it is most often referred to as Waroona Dam. Call it what
you will! The primary use of the dam is for irrigation, but it is
used for many recreational activities too. It was built in 1966,
and the old construction camp was turned into a Caravan Park,
run by CALM. It has since been leased to a private enterprise,
and is truly an awesome place to visit.

If you are like me, the closer the 4WD tracks are to home, the
better. Sure, a day down at Harvey, Brunswick or Collie is well
worth the effort, but if you could explore some cracker 4WD
tracks much closer to Perth, you would, wouldnt you?

Where is Waroona Dam?

Waroona Dam is just under an hour and 20 minutes from
Perth. For those of you who live south of the river, its barely an
hours drive. To get there, you can either head straight down
the South Western Highway, or you can go down Kwinana and
onto Forrest Hwy, and cut across on Greenlands Road, and
finish the rest of the drive on the South Western Highway.
Either way, you want to end up here.

Hows this for a view?

Watching the moon rise

What are the main attractions?

The main attraction for Waroona would be the skiing. In the
warmer months, its not uncommon to have 10 20 boats in
the dam. After skiing, there are a number of other popular
activities like fishing, 4WDing, camping, hiking and canoeing.

Ski biscuits at Waroona

February 7th, 2015

Published by: Aaron Schubert

Camping at Waroona
The good news is that you can stay at Waroona, either in the
Caravan park or lakeside camping. Camping next to the lake
is only $10 per night, and you can literally wake up every
morning and watch the sun rise over the lake. Its a magnificent
place, and one that I cant recommend enough.

Driving around the Dam

How serious are the 4WD tracks?

The tracks around the dam vary from mild angled gravel tracks
through to big bog holes and some very chopped out hill
climbs. Any 4WD would be able to comfortably drive the whole
way around the dam, so long as they avoided the bog holes,
and skipped the hill climbs.
Right near the water

This area changes dramatically as the water level goes up and

down. Be very wary of bog holes, and always get out of your
4WD to check them before proceeding. There are plenty down
there that would swallow cars on 35s with lockers. Needless
to say, you can drive around them!

Nothing beats a fire after a long day

Where are the 4WD Tracks?

Onto the most important part of the post; Waroona 4WD
Tracks! I dont need to give you any GPS coordinates; you
simply make your way around the dam itself. You can start on
the gravel just after you cross the dam wall, and work your way
around the dam.

One of the mud runs

You will need to go inland a bit when the water is up, and Scarp
road is the boundary to many of the 4WD tracks. If you go all
the way around the dam, you will end up climbing some hills
and following a track that comes out at Scarp road.
Once you are back on Scarp road, you can either return to the
dam or head home!

February 7th, 2015

Published by: Aaron Schubert

Watch the panels

There is a little creek on the eastern side of the dam that you
can cross (and many people drive down it and out before the
dam!), and this is a brilliant little spot to stop and relax.
In regards to the hill climbs, you can take the far east side,
which is the easiest, and asides from a few side angles further
up the track is a bit of a challenge, but not extreme. In a few
places you need to straddle ruts and stay out of weird angles,
but providing you arent a novice at 4WDing, and you have
someone experienced to spot you through, you shouldnt have
too many issues.
The hill climb furthest to the west is the hardest, and vehicles
without lockers really struggle to drive it. If you have lockers,
pick the right line and drive up in first low with your tyres
deflated and you wont have too many issues. There are a few
places where wheels come off the ground, so be prepared for it.

Where are more 4WD Tracks?

The beauty of Waroona is that it is also very close to
Dwellingup. Once youve driven the 4WD Tracks around
Waroona, head out to Scarp road, and take this track, which
leads to Nanga Brook Road. From there, you can head to
Nanga road, and turn left. The Captain Fawcett Track starts
here, and you can take River Road, which will eventually
see you come out right at Stringers camp site, via the North
Junction track.
There are plenty of 4WD Tracks around Dwellingup, and
between the two places, you have more than enough to keep
you occupied for a full day (and more!). Be aware that a lot of
the land east of Waroona Dam is private property, and is not
passable.

Popping a few wheels up

Roxy at Waroona

Can I take my dogs?

Dogs are permitted around Waroona Dam. If you are camping,
you need to register them, but you dont have to pay a fee for
having them there. Obviously, respect others and clean up any
mess!

Look after our bush

An awesome view
Please stay out of the dam itself. Whilst driving around right
on the waters edge might be fun, you wouldnt be the first to
tip your vehicle onto its side and into the water.

Its a huge privilege being able to access amazing spots like

this, so please look after them. Take your rubbish home (and
pickup any rubbish left behind by inconsiderate people) and
dont rip the area up in your 4WD unnecessarily. When an area
is not treated with respect, it most often results in closures,
and weve all had enough of them!

I've just spent the last weekend camping at Waroona, and we

went down the Saturday before. We had a great time, and
you can see most of the 4WD Tracks around Waroona in the
youtube video below

February 7th, 2015

Published by: Aaron Schubert

Keep this amazing place open

Have you been to Waroona before? Did you do any of the 4WD
Tracks? What did you think of it?
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