15 Must Dos in the Harvey Region

As you drive through Harvey, keep an eye out for roadside farmgate stalls selling oranges, mandarins and other local produce (in season). Stretch your legs with a climb up the 14 metre-high Big Orange, nestled in the grounds of the Harvey River Estate winery on the banks of the Harvey River. Owned by the Sorgiovanni family, the estate was established in 1999 and features a great gift shop and cellar door for wine tastings produced by Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy winner Stuart Pierce. The Sorgiovanni’s also produce 3rd Street Farm – Valencia orange, grape and other seasonal juices made from 100% natural, pressed juice.

The 13.5km long serene Leschenault Estuary (Derbal Elaap) waterway in Australind is the best place to scoop up a delectable feed of crustaceans. It is also one of Western Australia’s most significant migratory bird and Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) wetlands, and home to a pod of dolphins. While you’re there, visit the Leschenault Waterways Eco Museum and walk the 2.2km return Australind Jetty Walk.  At nearby Ridley Place Foreshore, relax and look over the estuary while the kids climb the giant Blue Swimmer Crab at Karragarup Play Space.

Further around the Estuary is the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park – just minutes from Australind yet it feels like you are miles from civilisation. Locals love this place, especially for walking trails, fishing, 4WD beach driving, and snorkelling. Stay the night at the Parks & Wildlife Belvidere camping area and learn about its unique Indian, Irish and hippy camp history. (Note: fishing and beach driving regulations apply).

Experience Australia’s WWII internment history. Established in September 1940, Harvey Internment Camp No. 11 was the first purpose-built internment camp in Western Australia and housed around 100 German and 800 Italian Internees. To uncover this history, take the short Shrine Walk and visit the Internment Camp Memorial Shrine – believed to be Australia’s only roadside shrine built by prisoners of war. Continue along the trail to uncover the Shrine Fountain ‘Fontana 2000’, the Internment Camp Ablution Block Foundations and Detention Cells.

Wander through the charming towns and places of the Harvey Region, where the streets, heritage buildings and historic farms whisper tales of the past. Venture along the Australind and Leschenault Heritage trails, one of Western Australia’s first settled areas, founded to breed horses for the British India Company. The State Heritage Listed Henton Cottage (1841) is part of the original Australind settlement and home to Australind Artisan Collective. Across the road is Saint Nicholas Anglican Church (1840s), the smallest and cutest church in Western Australia. A visit to Featured Wood Gallery & Museum is a must too.

The Harvey Region has 42 kms of virtually untouched coastline for you to explore with sand between your toes. The Harris Track is a 9 km (18 kms return) walking track in Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park or; burn off lunch with a sand dune walk in the 100 Acre Wood near Myalup.

Pick a hill, any hill to get fresh air into your lungs. At the Wildflower Ridge Walk, be rewarded with outstanding views of the Harvey Dam, hinterland and coast. Or, climb Billy Goat Hill along the Harvey Hike Trail from Harvey to Harvey Dam.

The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s greatest long-distance walk trails, with two Harvey Region access points on the Dwellingup to Collie section of the track.

In Australind, the Dandjoo Bilya Trail winds alongside the Collie and Brunswick rivers.

The Eaton-Australind Historic Walk Trail is a dual-use path that stretches from approximately 18 kms (one way) along the stunning Leschenault Estuary.

Kick-back in the beer garden of Old Coast Road Brewery near Myalup. Upon entering, visitors will drive up through their one-thousand-tree olive grove to reach the brewery and restaurant, overlooking a massive recreation lawn, kids’ playground and super-fun Wonders of Western Australia mini-golf course. Those who love a beverage will have choice galore with 20 taps of beer, cider and artisan spirits. Craft beer drinkers can’t go past Brugan in Wokalup. The microbrewery uses locally produced hops in their brews and serve some of the best meals in the Region. Officially Australia’s Best Family Dining experience, if you need a feed, the 1000-seat Treendale Farm Hotel is the place to be. Bring your appetite because this pub does it BIG!

Be inspired by the Harvey Region’s huge mosaic, mural and public art collection on the Public Art & Galleries Trail.  You will find unique mosaics by local artist, Anthea Ward and mural and public art by internationally acclaimed artists such as Ian Mutch, Jack Bromell, Luke O’Donohue and Andrew Frazer. When visiting Australind, don’t miss Heart & Home, an impressive sculpture by Nic and Alex Mickle of Safehaven Studios.  Combine art and food at the Miami Bakehouse in Myalup and hop around their mob of uniquely designed Kanga Art kangaroos while sampling one of their award-winning pies.

Spend the night in nature, tucked away in a glamping tent surrounded by Jarrah forest and next to a freshwater dam at Logue Brook/Lake Brockman. The lake with bright blue, crystal-clear water is a water-activity haven – think water skiing, swimming, fishing, marronning, and canoeing. The world-famous Munda Biddi MTB Trail also passes through the site. You can’t camp or ski at nearby Harvey Dam and Gibbs Pool, but it is well worth a visit and great for fishing and kayaking. Pack a lunch and make use of the BBQs and playground. Take the Dick Lofthouse Rotary Walk, which climbs the 45-metre embankment to a scenic lookout spot.

Wander through the buildings, beautiful gardens, river walk, and mini orchard of the Stirling Cottage Gardens Precinct. View the replica 1850s Stirling Cottage, owned by Governor Stirling and the childhood home of May Gibbs, the creator of Australia’s most iconic characters, Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie. It is believed that May Gibbs drew much of her inspiration for her stories and illustrations from her experiences in Harvey. Enjoy a scrumptious high tea or lunch tea on the balcony overlooking the river, or in winter, sit by the cosy log fire and enjoy a hearty homemade soup.

The traditional custodians of the Harvey Region are the Bindjareb and Wardandi Noongar people. Within the Stirling Cottage Gardens Precinct is the Boola Bidi Dreaming Centre and Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee Trail.  Immerse yourself in the ancient Noongar culture with workshops, guided walking tours, and cultural ceremonies. Check out the wares in the retail store and then venture under the Harvey River Bridge to experience the Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee Trail. In Roelands, Roelands Village is perfect for group events. Operated by the Woolkabunning Kiaka Aboriginal Corporation, this previous Aboriginal mission is located on the picturesque Collie River.  To learn more about Australind-Leschenault First Nation history, take a tour with Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours.

Holidays in coastal locations that are busier than a shopping mall are so yesterday! The small coastal communities of Binningup and Myalup Beach are the ultimate destinations for chilled-out hammock lovers or those keen to provide their children with a holiday they had as a child. Expect endless kilometres of pristine waters, great beach fishing, surfing, snorkelling and…not much more (= bliss).

If a river swim is more to your liking, enjoy an invigorating dip on a hot summer day at Brunswick River Swimming Hole – a picturesque section of the Brunswick River.

Tree-changer enthusiasm and the Italian spirit combine to create the Geographe’s Harvey wine sub-region offering traditional French varietals to Mediterranean styles with Italian and Spanish varietals – Arneis, Vermentino and Tempranillo to name a few.

At Vineyard 28, stroll through the vineyards on a mini-Italian escape. Take their tour to discover the winemaking process or book the Taste of Italy Wine + Grazing Experience.

In Yarloop, wind your way up the hills to the picturesque Skipworth Wine Company where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and a wine-tasting session. Don’t drink and drive – take a tour with Bunbury Geographe Tours!

Owned by Harvey River Estate, GeoVino in Harvey’s main street is a beverage and foodie’s dream! Stock up on local wines, craft beers, gourmet cheeses, pate, olives, giftwares, and more. Enjoy a glass of wine, refreshing gin or a delicious beer with charcuterie boards while you shop. This is a favourite local place for Friday night drinks.

Have wine; now it’s time for cheese and great larder provisions from Harvey Cheese.

Indulge in one of the Cheese Cellar tastings to help you decide. They have milkshakes for the kids to sip and slurp too. Adjacent, you will find St Duke’s Distillery, the perfect accompaniment to cheese.

Experience WA’s Food bowl and stunning hinterland firsthand. Combine a getaway with a joyful animal encounter at one of the Harvey Region’s farms stays.

When was the last time you had a picnic with a goat? Head to Harvey Farm Barn for a Meet the Farm Animals self-guided tour, and don’t miss the sunflowers in season. Pack your hamper or grab something from their small coffee hole-in-the-wall. Note – limited opening hours.

Melville Park & Friends Farm Shop is a historic farm dating to the mid-1880s on the banks of the Brunswick River. Every Saturday morning their produce-driven shop offers heirloom vegetables, decadent cheese, and much more.

Brunswick’s life-size town mascot – Daisy the Cow on the Corner – pays tribute to the local dairy industry. Afterwards, head across the road to the Brunswick Tavern for a delicious feed of local produce.

One of the region’s largest carrot producers is behind this highly successful The Crooked Carrot café serving fabulous coffee, breakfast, lunch and sweet treats.

Hit the road on a bitumen and gravel driving adventure. Favourites include the Three Dams Scenic Gravel Drive, Mornington-Camford Off Road Scenic Drive, Harvey to Collie River Valley Scenic Loop, Beela – Big Tree Scenic Gravel Drive, Beela Valley Scenic Drive, Mornington Road Scenic Drive and the Cathedral Avenue Scenic Drive. On the Harvey Region’s northern coast, the Lake Preston Scenic Drive travels through the Yalgorup National Park; the largest national park on the Swan Coastal Plain and a world-recognised RAMSAR wetland.

Cycling is one of life’s great pleasures. Feast on panoramic views of the Leschenault Estuary on the family-friendly Eaton-Australind Historic Trail.  Another dual-path option, but one that will challenge your fitness is the Harvey Hike Trail, which travels from Harvey town site to the Harvey Dam via Billy Goat’s Hill.

Our back roads are the perfect way to hit your kilometre targets whilst soaking up the scenery. We do warn you – stopping for cows to cross the road at milking time is not uncommon! Our favourite rides include, Yarloop Wokalup Road Cycling Trail  and the Brunswick to Wokalup Ale Cycling Trail.

Bring your horse on a holiday and enjoy a day or more on the 10th Light Horse Bridle Trail or within the Myalup Pines Horse Trails.

Feeling adventurous? Then head deep into the Mornington State Forest, near Brunswick-Benger and see if you can find the Big Jarrah tree. Big Haddy is 260 years old, has a 10m circumference, and is on the National Register of Big Trees. Try wrapping your arms around that! Note, gravel road access only with no signage.