Pinjarra

Resting on the banks of the tranquil Murray River only an hour drive south of Perth and just a short hop from Mandurah is Pinjarra, the centre of the Murray Shire. Pinjarra is one of the oldest established towns in Western Australia. Although the district has been settled since the early 1830s, large tracts of land remain untouched and have an air of peace and tranquillity.

With its rich grazing lands and thick forests of Jarrah trees the town quickly became known as a centre for dairy, cattle farming and timber. Although today, farms still blanket the surrounding hillsides outside the town, the area is becoming increasingly celebrated as the horse capital of Western Australia.

Bridle trails ribbon the nearby forests, and surveying the area on horseback is a remarkable way to get back to nature. If you prefer two legs over four, the Pinjarra Heritage Walk Trail skirting the Murray River is a fascinating way to view the region and is displayed with tiles that explain the significant Aboriginal, pioneer, railway and forest heritage of Pinjarra.

The dignified steam engines of the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway are ready to take visitors on a nostalgic journey through lush farmlands, up the dramatic and beautiful Darling Scarp and into the forest of Dwellingup.

Beautifully restored historic buildings provide wonderful accommodation for holiday makers. Motel, hotel, caravan park, bed and breakfast and chalet accommodation is also available.

For those visitors planning on caravanning around Australia Pinjarra is now the proud owner of a much needed caravan ‘dump’, situated on Pinjarra Williams Road, in front of the Pinjarra Heritage Train Station (Visitor Centre).  There is also a circular driveway into the Visitor Centre which is accessible for all shapes and sizes of caravan and motor home.