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Manjimup History & Historical Attractions

The town of Manjimup is a regional centre for the largest shire in the South West of Western Australia. It possesses areas of ecological, historical, agricultural, commercial and industrial interest.

History

The name Manjimup is probably a local Aboriginal word meaning 'rushes near the waterhole'.

The Timber cutter Thomas Muir first settled in the Manjimup district in1856, followed in 1862 by George and Sarah Giblett who built at Balbarrup to the east of Manjimup. Giblett's house (1870) and the Dingup Church (1896) still stand at Balbarrup.

Manjimup town was declared in 1910 and the following year the railway from Perth arrived. The district saw its population increase dramatically when it became part of the less-than-successful Group Settlement Scheme after World War I.  Brought into being to resettle returned soldiers and immigrants, the idea was to open up more agricultural land.  However, inexperience, lack of tools and a depression saw the end of this scheme.  An information board near One Tree Bridge describes the problems experienced by “the Groupies” as they were known.

Today the district's principal industries include timber and timber products, fruit growing, canning, vegetable growing, dairying, fat lambs, wool, grain and a burgeoning wine industry.

Historical Attractions

Dingup Church

The outstanding Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park covers 24 acres and contains the Manjimup Tourist Bureau, Bunnings Age of Steam Museum, the State's only Timber Museum, Historical Hamlet, Fire Tower Lookout, Blacksmith's Shop, Timber Park Gallery, Tearooms and Gallery, children's playground, public toilets, picnic shelters and barbecues.

The Timber Park is an ideal family destination where a day can be spent exploring, feeding the ducks, fish and generally relaxing with a picnic or barbecue lunch.
The Museum is open between 9am and 5pm daily.

Dingup Church

Built in 1896, this historic building was used as a school and a church by the early settlers.

Diamond Tree Lookout

An information board near the tree gives the following information “In contrast with the northern forest areas the gentle undulating country and very tall trees of the southern forest offered few vantage points for fire lookouts. To build towers high enough to see over the forest would have been too expensive. An alternative was a cabin built high enough in one of the taller trees. The first Karri fire lookout tower, called Big Tree, was constructed to the west of Manjimup in 1938. By 1952 eight tree towers had been constructed.”

Diamond Tree Lookout

There is also an adventure trail, the Jim Fox Adventure Trail, designed for the young and young at heart.

One Tree Bridge

A series of  displays tell the story of One Tree Bridge.  When it became necessary to bridge the Donnelly River, nature played its part by providing a giant Karri tree in the right place.  The tree was felled and a decking of split slabs built to make the bridge.

There is a placard near the tree which gives the following information: “Welcome to the Karri forest. Walk the Karri Glade Path a 15 minute easy grade loop. Karri is one of the largest living things on our planet. One tree can weigh over 200 tonnes, grow to 90 m in height, use 170 litres of water a day, produce 1 kg of honey per season, take nine people holding hands to span its girth, and do it all in 400 years”.

Dean Mill

Free tours of the local mills are scheduled at nominated times and the milling town of Deanmill gives a valuable insight into the early days of the district