Dwellingup, Western Australia
Dwellingup is a small town in Western Australia. It is located about 100 kilometers south of Perth, in the Peel region. The town is surrounded by forests and is a popular place for camping, hiking, and outdoor activities.
| Dwellingup Western Australia | |||||||||
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 Dwellingup History and Visitor Information Centre | |||||||||
  Dwellingup | |||||||||
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| Coordinates | 32°43′S 116°04′E / 32.72°S 116.06°E | ||||||||
| Population | 332 (UCL 2021)[1] | ||||||||
| Established | 1910 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 267 m (876 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | 97 km (60 mi) S of Perth | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Murray | ||||||||
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History
[change | change source]Dwellingup was established in the early 1900s. The name "Dwellingup" comes from the Noongar Aboriginal language and is believed to mean “place of nearby water.”
The town was an important centre for the timber industry, and many people worked in sawmills. In 1961, a large bushfire destroyed much of Dwellingup, but the town was rebuilt.
Geography
[change | change source]Dwellingup is located in a forest area, with many jarrah and marri trees. The town is on the Darling Range, a line of hills inland from the coast.
Nearby natural attractions include:
- Lane Poole Reserve
- Murray River
- Nanga Brook
- Scarp Pool
These places are popular for swimming, canoeing, and bushwalking.
Climate
[change | change source]Dwellingup has a Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Summer temperatures often reach above 30°C (86°F), while winters are cooler, with more rain, and daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F).
The area gets more rain than many other inland towns, because of its forested and hilly location.
Demographics
[change | change source]Dwellingup is a small town with a population of about 400 people. Most people are Australian-born, and English is the main language spoken at home.
The town has a close-knit community and welcomes many visitors and tourists, especially on weekends and holidays.
Economy
[change | change source]The local economy is based on:
- Tourism
- Forestry
- Alcoa bauxite mining (nearby)
- Farming in nearby areas
Many people come to Dwellingup for eco-tourism and adventure tourism, such as mountain biking and hiking.
Transport
[change | change source]Dwellingup can be reached by road from Perth via South Western Highway and Del Park Road. There is no regular train service, but the town is home to the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway, which runs historic steam trains for tourists.
Attractions
[change | change source]Attractions in Dwellingup include:
- Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
- Lane Poole Reserve
- Munda Biddi Trail – a long cycling trail through forests
- Bibbulmun Track – a long-distance hiking trail that passes near the town
- Dwellingup History and Visitor Information Centre
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Dwellingup (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
