Small country towns like Kojonup are easy to write off as quiet scenery and gentle walks, and that sells the place short. There is real outdoor ground to cover here: back roads and trails to ride, reserves to walk, horses to saddle up, and open country to camp out in under a huge night sky. This is the active side of a stopover in Kojonup, and none of it needs a tour bus.
You do not have to choose between an easy afternoon and a full-on one either. If a night out beats a hard day's ride for you, our guide to camping under the stars in Kojonup covers the best sites in the district. Otherwise, read on.
Ride the back roads and trails
The country around Kojonup is made for two wheels. Quiet gravel back roads, farm-boundary tracks and forest-edge trails link up into rides for every level, from a flat spin out of town to longer loops with some proper climbs. Surfaces run from hardpack to natural rock and dirt, and in the dry months the going is fast.
Kojonup sits on the Albany Highway in the heart of the Great Southern, which puts the region's bigger trail networks within a day's reach: the Munda Biddi and the coastal paths around Albany, and the tracks over in Nannup and the Margaret River region. Our cycling and mountain bike riding guide runs through eight of the best, with the easy ones marked.
Walk the reserves and granite country
If you would rather be on foot, the reserves around town are the place to start. Farrar Dam Reserve is minutes from the Visitor Centre, and Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary on Tunney Road has marked walking trails and a carpark, both easy going and good for a morning out. The district's granite outcrops reward a short scramble with a wide view over the paddocks, and the ground is open with little dense scrub, so navigating is straightforward.
For a gentle, well-marked introduction to the local bush, our guide to beginner-friendly hikes near Kojonup points you at the easiest trails first.
Saddle up for a trail ride
Horse riding is one of the most natural ways to take in this landscape, at a pace that suits the open country. Kojonup has local riding options for beginners through to confident riders, from lessons to trail rides through the bush and farmland. It is the one activity here worth booking ahead, so see our horse riding in Kojonup guide for who to contact and what to expect.
A climate made for the outdoors
Kojonup's inland position means dry, settled weather dominates for most of the year, which is exactly what you want for outdoor days: firm trails, moderate wind and open terrain with minimal dense vegetation. Spring lays wildflowers along the paths, summer is warm and reliably dry, and the shoulder seasons are mild. Most of the reserves and back-road rides are reachable within a short drive of the town centre.
Plan ahead and go prepared
A little planning goes a long way out here. A few things worth doing before you set out:
- Carry water, sun protection and a basic first-aid kit on every trip, whatever the season.
- Check property boundaries and any permit or access arrangements for the reserves before arriving.
- Check fire conditions and total fire ban days in summer.
- Mobile reception varies on the trails and in the forest edges, so take a printed map or downloaded GPS route where signage is thin.
- Some seasonal activities only run in the drier or holiday months, so confirm before you plan a day around them.
Stay local with Cornwall House Accommodation
An active trip is easier with the right base, and Cornwall House Accommodation sits right on the Albany Highway at 72 Albany Highway, in the centre of Kojonup and close to the trailheads and the roads out to the reserves. Our 12 air-conditioned rooms (queen, twin and family configurations) each have an ensuite, free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, a microwave and refrigerator, with free onsite parking and a shared camp kitchen for guests. Contactless check-in from 2pm means an early start or a late finish never leaves you locked out, and there is room to rinse off the gear at the end of the day.
See our accommodation page for room details and what is included, then book ahead and spend your days on the trails.
Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214
Frequently asked questions
What active things can you do around Kojonup?
Cycling and mountain biking on the district's back roads and trails, bushwalking the reserves and granite country, horse riding, and camping. Kojonup sits in the Great Southern, within reach of longer trail networks around Albany, Nannup and the Margaret River region.
Do you need a guide or a tour operator?
Not for most of it. Cycling, walking and camping are self-guided, so you set your own pace and route. Horse riding is the one worth booking ahead through a local operator.
When is the best time for outdoor activity in Kojonup?
Kojonup's inland position gives it dry, settled weather for most of the year, so the trails stay firm and fast. Spring brings wildflowers along the paths; summer is warm and dry; carry water and sun protection year round.
Where should I stay for an active trip?
Cornwall House Accommodation is on the Albany Highway in the centre of Kojonup, close to the trailheads and the roads out to the reserves, with a shared camp kitchen, free parking and contactless check-in so an early start or a late finish is easy.
