Boyup Brook Region

Busselton Gelorup

Stratham

Capel Boyanup

Donnybrook

Balingup

BOYUP BROOK

Explore the largest stretch of the Blackwood River as it meanders through rolling hills and farmlands in this extraordinary part of the world.

BOYUP BROOK, SET on the tranquil Blackwood River, is the heart of Western Australia’s country scene. It’s also a rural community brimming with talent and will win you over with its warm hospitality and spirit. Highlighting the fact is Boyup Brook’s obsession (in a good way) with collecting. From a world-famous rare jewel beetle and butterfly collection, record and music memorabilia that will blow your mind, to one of Australia’s largest collections of teapots (over 5,000), the people and treasures of Boyup Brook will intrigue and delight.

Must-dos

1 Explore the quirkiest of collections – Visit the beautiful Carnaby jewel beetle and butterfly collection at the Boyup Brook Visitor Centre. Keith Carnaby was a leading light in the study of jewel beetles and this portion of his collection will take your breath away. The Visitor Centre also showcases the impressive Kradals Doll Collection and locally-made produce with Boyup Brook olive oil a mustbuy. Tea lovers should visit the quirky Quacking Frog Teapot Shed boasting a collection of more than 5,000 teapots and serving, delicious morning and afternoon tea.

2 Blooming wild - Boyup Brook is at its blooming best during the wildflower season (June to October), so much so that every year in October, the Blooming Wild Festival is held to celebrate everything from rare orchids, to quirky collections and exquisite local art. The Shire is filled with stunning wildflower trails in local bush reserves, so why not spend a day getting lost in nature. Boyup Brook is home to rare fauna including numbats, quenda, chuditch and woylie. Perup: Nature’s Guest House is a unique holiday experience, situated among 56,000ha of native forest, and is recognised as the best place in Western Australia to see these iconic mammal. You will truly be nature’s guest.

3 Treat yourself - The beautiful, old stone building in the heart of town houses the Visitor Centre and the exquisite Little Art Gallery. Pop in for a look and also check out the unique products, handcrafted wares and local produce. The Little Art Gallery will be celebrating spring with a delightfully eclectic collection of original artworks by local artists.

4 Get lost in music - This town prides itself as being at the centre of WA’s country music and is home to the state’s iconic Country Music Festival (February). Throughout the year, you can visit the Hot Country Music Shop to view its artists' signature collection and stock up on all things country. Make sure you don’t miss Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre. This entertainment shed is decorated wall-to-wall and floor-to-rafter with memorabilia spanning more than 100 years. The original 1884 wagon of local pioneers, the Muir family, hangs from the rafters. See life-sized sand sculptures of Elvis and Johnny Cash and the ‘record room’ contains an extensive Elvis Presley collection.

5 Harvey Dickson's Rodeo - There’s nothing quite as exciting as a tension-filled rodeo. Cowboys, bulls and horses, getting stirred up and ready to go. A few riders eating the dirt and the cheers from the crowd. If this sounds like your type of action, make sure you

keep 30 October free for the next event.

6 Stockman's Challenge - An exciting weekend over 24 to 26 September, the best of the West Stockman’s Challenge will put daring riders and their skills to test in a battle to be crowned the best in the West. This involves everything horsey, stock handling, horse shoeing, whip cracking, a back saddle contest, a bareback obstacle and cross-country courses.

7 Bright Skies - Astro photographers often refer to the period of mid-autumn to mid-spring as the Milky Way Season. Boyup Brook is one of the best places to soak up the wonders of our Milky Way galaxy, experience a true country night sky, dense with bright stars stretching as far as the eye can see. During August and September, the heart of the Milky Way is high in the southern sky, making it the perfect time to either camp out under the stars or book into a local farmstay and enjoy the clear and bright night skies of Boyup Brook.

8 Historic stories - At the Pioneers’ Museum, see the first clover-seed harvester, developed by Boyup Brook local P.D. Forrest, in 1910. Part of the Museum is the original Masonic Temple, exhibiting furniture and paraphernalia used by the Masons - something rarely seen outside the organisation. Afterwards, take the Heritage Walk following 23 plaques around the town centre. If you’re lucky (appointment only), you may visit one of the district’s first farms and the heritage-listed Norlup Homestead, built for Commander Scott with convict labour.

9 Artfully done -Explore the streets of Boyup and be amazed by the holograms, sculptures and murals by acclaimed local artists Sandy Chambers and Sobrane. Boyup Brook’s public art also encompasses impressive, large scale metal works by Len Zuks and Harvey Dickson..

10 Paddles up – Hire a canoe from the Flax Mill Recreation Complex (also housing a scale model of the working Flax Mill, and other iconic local structures, along with a sewing machine display by appointment) and paddle down the majestic Blackwood River, the longest river in the south west. Peaceful stretches meander through farming country. To experience magnificent flora and birdlife, take a picnic and stop off along the way. For the more adventurous, the river and surrounds are suitable for longer treks that incorporate camping at various spots along the banks. Prefer to be on land? Take the Bicentennial Trail for a pleasant walk alongside the Blackwood River.

FIND A LOCAL

BOYUP BROOK VISITOR CENTRE A Cnr Abel and Bridge Sts, Boyup Brook 6244 T +61 8 9765 1444 E bbvisitor@wn.com.au