Post Office

GREENBUSHES

HEMA Map reference 74/G3

33° 50' 47" S 116° 03' 09" E

Statistics

Caravan Parks

Unknown

Attractions

Mine lookout, New Zealand Gully walk, Discovery centre.

Services

Unknown

Buildings of note

Exchange Hotel.

Calendar of events

Unknown

Description

‘A more delightful and bracing climate than that of Greenbushes can scarcely be imagined. Even in the height of summer, nights are pleasantly cool, and in the winter season the cold is rarely severe, although some inconvenience may be caused by exceptionally heavy rainfall.’

Twentieth Century Impressions of W.A.
1901
 

The town was first known as Green Bushes Well and was founded in 1889 after tin was discovered in the area. The original site was 3km south of the current site but was abandoned in 1893 due to difficult soil conditions. A new town site was gazetted in 1899 but was 3km from the main road through the tin fields. This resulted in two areas 3km apart both being known as Greenbushes. The northern area eventually became known as North Greenbushes to avoid any confusion.

The Donnybrook to Bridgetown railway was opened in 1898 and a station added to Greenbushes in 1899.

Initially the tin mines were successful but a slump in tin prices in 1893 saw the industry collapse.

It was originally a shire in its own right but today it has been incorporated into the shire of Bridgetown.

The Greenbushes Historical Park focuses on the town's history as a tin mining centre. In the park are old pieces of machinery as well as a mine shaft with a head frame and a replica of a prospectors hut. The town's mining past is also recalled in a series of information boards which were placed around the town in 1988 to help visitors understand what the town was like when it was more successful.