BOYUP BROOK

HEMA Map reference 74/G4

33° 50' S 116° 21' 4' E

Statistics

Caravan Park

Flax Mill               08 9765 1136   

Services

Attractions

Carnaby’s Beetle Collection, Bottle Museum, Grapevine. Art Studio & Aviaries, Bi-Centennial Walkway, Blackwood Crest Winery, Bridge Picnic Area, Country & Western Music Centre, Glacial Rock Formation, GregoryTree, Norlup Homestead, Pioneers Museum Scott's Brooks Wines, Storm Boy Jumpers.

Buildings of note

Norlup homestead 1874.

Calendar of events

February: Country music festival, Ute and truck muster. March: Tennis club open, Camp draft. April: Sheepdog trials. May: Book bonanza. September: River race, Harvey Dickson's country music weekend, Tulips with a difference. October: Blackwood marathon, Rodeo. November: Agricultural show.

Description

Situated on the Blackwood River the town was named after an Aboriginal word Booyup meaning place of big stones. (Another source quotes Buyu - place of smoke or Booy - big smoke.)

The area was explored by A.C. Gregory as early as 1845 and was first settled in 1854 by a Commander Scott. Next came James LeeSteere in 1861, who took up land near the Blackwood River. In 1871 William Forrest took up land here as well.

The town’s development can be traced to the formation of the "Upper Blackwood Progress Committee" by local farmers in 1899. Their aim was to "advance the interests of this rising and important district".

With an eye to the main game, the Committee proposed the town be named Throssell. The proposal was sent to the Minister for Lands, wait for it, George Throssell - sucky sucky.

Despite the obvious 'brown nosing' the town site was not immediately accepted but the Committee persisted and the townsite was gazetted in 1900 - as Boyup. In 1909 the town became Boyup Brook to avoid confusion with Boyanup.

Early development started with the building of a school in 1900 and then by 1909, the railway . Timber mills started up in the area prior to World War Two and some continued to operate until 1982.

A flax mill operated from 1940-1960 (one source says 1965) and today the area is reliant on sheep, cattle, oats and barley production.

Boyup today remains a small quiet service centre for the surrounding farms. The town itself is fairly confusing as it appears to have just grown without any thought of town planning. The streets are very ‘higgldy piggldy’ and can be a bit difficult to get a grip on.

Boyup Brook Grapevine

This is believed to be the largest grapevine in Australia but as it is on private property, it is not always available for tourists to look at. The vine is said to have come from Bridgetown in the form of a switch to gee the horses up. It ended up being planted and has now been growing for over 100 years. It is on a farm about 8km from town and permission to view it can be obtained via the tourist bureau.

Camping sites.

Querijup Pool - Track goes north-east to a quiet crossing on Scotts Brook. Close to Norlup homestead and Scotts Brook vineyard. 33° 57' 50" S 116° 30' 45" E

Asplin Siding - Suitable for caravans. Tracks may be wet in winter. 33° 48' 47" S 116° 29' 36" E

Mullidup Pool - Tone River. Suitable for caravans. Could be damp after rain. Large number of sites. 34° 07' 22" S 116° 47' 33" E

Tone Bridge - Overnight stop or picnic area.

Trigwell Bridge - Suitable for caravans, close to the road. Overnight stop or picnic. On north side of river and west side of bridge, Flat area - shelter under the bridge. 33° 40' 29" S 116° 35' 50" E

Picnic Sites

Willinarrup - Access track may be difficult. Nice flat area by the river 3km from Boyup Brook.

Sandakan Park - Free electric BBQ, gazebos; small playground area; skateboard park; toilets. Sandakan Memorial to those who lost their lives in Borneo.

Lions Park - Natural bush land setting. Toilet and night lighting. Walk trail around town from here.

Newlgalup - Right hand side of Boyup Brook - Dinninup Road west of Newlgalup Road,  7kms out of Boyup on river side.

Eulin Crossing - Nice flat area by river with boat launch ramp. Large pool 6km long and very wide in some places. Water birds. Very popular spot. Probably not large enough for camping but excellent for a picnic.

Condinup Reserve - Track off West Arthur Road, 500 metres north of Condinup Road. Track near boundary. Easy to miss.

(C) Don Copley