Crooked Brook Forrest

Crooked Brook Forest sits in the Ferguson Valley about 25km east of Bunbury in WA's South West, with quiet native bush, well-maintained tracks and a standing invitation for dogs on lead. The spring wildflower display gets the headlines, but the year-round appeal is easy, level walking through calm forest without crowds.

The walk

Several walk trails thread the forest. The standout for most visitors is the 600-metre Forest Path, a Class 1 trail suitable for wheelchairs and prams, which makes it ideal for older dogs or anyone after a flat, easy stroll. Longer bush walk trails extend deeper into the forest if you want more time on your feet.

Leash status

Dogs are permitted on leash at all times, and this is a rule worth respecting: the forest is active wildlife habitat and the restriction protects native flora and fauna. Stick to the maintained tracks, carry your own bags, and expect no bins on the trail itself.

Max: on-leash means on-leash here. In warmer months bushland carries the usual snake risk, so keep your dog close and move on if you hear rustling in the undergrowth.

Worth knowing

A gravel car park at the main entry, picnic tables and a bbq make this a genuine half-day stop rather than a quick walk-and-go. There is a basic long-drop toilet. Bring your own water and a bowl for the dog, as there is no confirmed dog water point on site.

Getting there

Allow 25 to 30 minutes' drive from Bunbury and around two hours from Perth. There is no public transport to the forest, so this is a car trip, and the last stretch runs through Dardanup farmland on narrow roads.

Pair it with

The Ferguson Valley has dog-friendly cellar doors worth booking around the walk: Ferguson Falls Wines Cafe and Saint Aidan Wines are the closest, with leashed dogs welcome on their decks. Eaton Tavern sits on the Bunbury side for a feed on the way home, and Discovery Parks Bunbury Foreshore is a solid dog-friendly base if you are staying overnight.

More options are on the Western Australia trails guide and the Crooked Brook destination page.

When to go: spring, from September to November, is peak wildflower season and the best window. Weekday mornings are quietest and beat the summer heat; weekends get busier once the wildflowers are out.