WA's first purpose-built trails centre now open in Dwellingup | PHOTOS

The Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre is the place to go before and after hitting the adventure town's mountain bike, walk, paddle, railway, four-wheel drive and horse trails.

Opened on Thursday, the Centre is equipped with bike wash area, hot showers and toilets, with a café, laundromat, trails retail and equipment hire and shuttle service to commence operation in the next few months following a recent expression of interest process.

Local Dwellingup business Dwellingup Adventures, has been selected as the successful proponent to lease and operate the trails related commercial activities.

The appointment is subject to a public advertising period and approval by the Minister for Lands.

To maximise the visitor experience, knowledgeable visitor servicing officers are on hand to connect customers with local service providers and to provide information about the area and its abundance of trials related activities, as well as Dwellingup's budding arts and retail scene.

The Centre's visitor servicing has been enhanced digitally with the incorporation of virtual reality and interactive screens as well as a destination magazine and new, dedicated tourism website set to launch next week.

Through the project, the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway is now a central feature of Dwellingup's tourism offering, as a key component of the Trails Centre precinct.

A pump track, skate park and playground are also located in the precinct, which is within easy walking distance of the town's main street.

According to Shire pesident David Bolt, Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre is a resource hub for trails and adventure enthusiasts seeking quality experiences and its opening is a major milestone as the town strives to achieve national and international trails town status.

New trails are being progressively rolled out across the Murray Valley Trail Network in Lane Poole reserve with more set to open shortly and other improvements underway on the reserves four-wheel drive, drive, walk and paddle trails.

Through the Dwellingup Adventure Trails project being delivered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in partnership with the Shire of Murray, there will be around 60km of dedicated single-track mountain bike trail in and around Dwellingup, connected by the realignment of the Munda Biddi Trail.

New canoe launching facilities will enhance the existing paddling opportunities on the Murray River, an 80m suspension bridge will improve access to the extensive mountain bike trail network, sealing of gravel roads will create a scenic drive through the Reserve and improvements to the Captain Fawcett Track will offer four-wheel drivers year-round access to explore the Murray River along the old historic timber railway formations.

Canning MP Andrew Hastie said the new Centre was an important part of a range of measures aimed at growing tourism in the local area.

"Tourism is pumping in Dwellingup thanks to the carefully thought out vision of the Shire of Murray and local community over the past four years. They have worked hard to build the region into a hub for adventure trails of world class standards.

"We are now starting to see the fruit of their efforts - every weekend the town is full of people looking for a new adventure in our beautiful local environment.

"The Centre provides additional facilities and services to make Dwellingup an even more attractive destination for day trippers and holiday makers."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the project created nine jobs in construction and an expected 59 ongoing jobs after completion.

The Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 3.30pm and is located in Marinup Street Dwellingup.

For further information about the Adventure Trails project visit mtbwa.com.au/dwellingup.