Trail and hiking opportunities only steps away with funding boost

Feb 3, 2025, 09:25 AM

Western Australians looking to experience nature and escape paved roads and footpaths will soon have more opportunities made possible by WA Government funding aimed at getting Western Australians hiking and trail running.

The latest round of the WA Hiking Participation Grants Program will see $252,168 provided to 12 projects designed to encourage people of all ages and cultures to safely go off the beaten track.

The program aims to increase entry level supervised opportunities for bushwalking and the increasingly popular sport of trail running with organised races over varying distances.

Administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the latest round of grants includes an introduction to trail running, funding for a hiking festival in the Perth Hills, a program for youth using hiking to promote positive mental health and a series of four experiences exploring the Wadjemup Bidi Trail network on Rottnest Island.

The recipients of the 2024–25 WA Hiking Participation Grants Program are:

Break the Boundary Inc — $24,950 for Trailblazers: Advancing Adaptive Hiking in WA
City of Armadale — $21,481 for Spring Steps 2024
City of Belmont — $10,000 for Garvey Park: Urban Trail Discovery
City of Kalamunda — $19,498 for Hiking is for Every Body
Co-Exist Australia Ltd — $25,000 for Stride and Thrive: Empowering Perth Youth through Hiking
Gold Regional Tourism Organisation Inc (TA Australia’s Golden Outback) — $15,000 for Month of Hiking
HikeWest Incorporated — $24,280 for Family Hiking Program
Nature Play WA — $24,200 for Trails Leadership Program
Perth Region Tourism Association — $25,000 for Perth Hills Travelling Trails Festival
Rottnest Foundation Inc — $25,000 for Wadjemup Bidi Trail Discovery Program
Shire of Murray — $18,139 for Guided Endurance Hikes
Trails WA Inc — $19,620 for Intro to Trail Running Series