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Dardanup Attractions |
Dardanup is a 10 minute drive south east of Bunbury (14 kms)
and only 180 kms south of Perth and is the gateway to the lush
Ferguson Valley, With fertile farmland, sensational views and
native bush, Dardanup and its environs have gained popularity in
recent years. Visitors come to enjoy the wildflowers, wine tasting,
bush walking and, more recently, to visit
“Gnomesville”.
The Dardanup Shire includes the townships of Dardanup, Burekup,
Eaton, Ferguson Valley, Padbury Fields, Waterloo and Wellington
Mills
Ecological
Attractions
King Jarrah
Tree
The King Jarrah Tree is over 500 years old and is 26 metres
tall. Situated in the Wellington National Park, the tree is
part of the Wellington Dam Scenic Drive which follows the river for
11 km.
Cultural
and Lifestyle Attractions
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Gnomesville
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Ferguson Valley
Traditionally a dairy and beef grazing country and now dotted with
wineries, the Ferguson Valley offers a vista of rolling hills and
picturesque valleys with plenty of recreational activities.
Enjoy wine tasting, a scenic drive in any season.
Historically important is St Aiden’s Church with its
graveyard cemetery which contains the graves of some of the
pioneers of the area.
Gnomesville
This whimsical gnome village, Gnomesville, is located at the
roundabout in Wellington Mills and has hundreds and hundreds of
gnomes. You are encouraged to wander around, enjoying the
fantasy of it all and to bring a gnome from your home town add to
the growing population.
Mt Lennard Mountain
Bike Trail System There are a number of trails marked
out with signs of a push bike marking the way. For more
information, visit the West Australian Mountain Bike Association
website.
Geographe Wine
Region
The Ferguson Valley is part of the Geographe Wine Region a small
area with a strong reputation for the production of fine wine.
Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon/Blanc, Riesling and
Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varieties. Rose is
also now proving to be very successful and
popular.
Wellington
Mills
Wellington Discovery Forest is a place for students and teachers to
explore and learn about Western Australia's remarkable jarrah
forest, its ecosystem, values and management. It is located close
to Bunbury in the Ferguson Valley, near the historic Wellington
Mill townsite.
School programs have been developed for students from Early
Childhood to Late Adolescence.
Crooked Brook
Forest
This recreation area is a testament to the power of community
commitment to a cause, turning an area of forest that was destined
to be a gravel pit into family friendly scenic walking trails with
barbeque facilities, information plaques and including wheelchair
access.
History
and Historical Attractions
Dardanup Heritage
Trail
This 2.5 Km walk around the town of Dardanup takes in 15 historical
and heritage sites, including the Post Office (1895), the
first Catholic Church built outside Perth in 1854, (Thomas Little
Hall), Dardanup Hotel (1905, St Mary’s Church (1906)
and the RSL War Memorial and Palmer Park to name a
few.
John Boyle
O’Reilly
John Boyle O’Reilly was an Irishman who through the
circumstances of his early life became involved in the struggle for
freedom in his country. A struggle which saw him suffer years of
imprisonment and transportation to Western Australia as a convict,
where his story of escape has become a
legend.
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