DWELLINGUP

HEMA Map reference 74/E3

32° 42' 51" S 116° 04' 03" E

Statistics

Caravan Park

Caravan Park          08 9538 1157

Services

Attractions

Lane Pool Reserve, Baden Powell Camp Site, Nanga Mill, Murray, Hotham Valley Railway, Oakley Dam, The Stringers, Yarragail, Tony’s Bend, Island Pool, Charle’s Flat, Scarp Pool, South Dandalup Dam, Marrinup

Buildings of note

Unknown

Calendar of events

February: Log chop. April: Giant pumpkin competition. July: Winter festival.

Local fruit growers

Millhouse

Visitor Centre

Island Pool

Description

The town site was surveyed by WF Rundall in 1909 and he suggested the names; Dwellingerup, Marrinup and McLarty. A mis-spelling saw the town gazetted as Dwelingupp in 1910 but this was amended in 1915. The name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of nearby water'.

The original appending of the double 'p' to the town's name appears to have been done for other towns like Kirupp, Kulikupp, Manjimupp and Mungalupp. This came about from a decision by the Royal Geographical Society about the pronunciation of various Aboriginal words. This would have led to the towns ending with an 'oop' sound instead of the 'up' sound we have come to know today. The R.G.S. rule was abandoned in 1915.

The town was mostly destroyed by bushfires on January 24th 1961. A wet winter followed by a dry spring and summer caused the fuel load in the surrounding forest to build up. Lightning strikes started a series of fires around the south west and hot conditions and high winds caused a fire storm. For 4 days and nights fire fighters and residents fought back the fires north of town but on the 5th day 41c degree heat and strong north west winds drove the fire into the town. 161 homes, 74 cars, the mill, church, police station, town hall, shops, post office and forestry centre all burned to the ground. It is a credit to the forestry department that no lives were lost.

The town has since been re-built. Areas around the town are suitable for camping, especially along the dams and river.

The Hotham Valley Railway wends its way up the steepest section of track in W.A. from Pinjarra, through the state forest to Dwellingup. It is an absolute must for train buffs and a chance for the rest of us to recapture the romance of the age of steam.

The area around Dwellingup is famous for its fruit production. Stone fruit season coincides with summer and prices are usually around half of that in suburban shops.

South of Dwellingup you will find some excellent campsites along the river. Some, like Baden Powell are suitable for large vehicles and caravans. CALM administer the area and camping fees are payable. Island Pool is one of the best swimming spots along the river. The area is called Lane-Poole Reserve and was named after Charles Edward Lane-Poole the first Conservator of Forests in W.A. Charles Lane-Poole was largely responsible for the introduction of legislation in 1918 that controlled the logging of forests and reduced the wholesale destruction that was happening before that time.

In Lane Poole Reserve there is a fire ban from 15th December-15th March. Bring your own wood for fires outside fire ban season. Dogs are currently ALLOWED in this area if on a leash.

The following behaviour will not be tolerated and may lead to eviction from Lane Poole and/or to legal proceedings:

• Abusive, offensive language;

• Threatening behaviour, both to CALM staff or other campers;

• Any behaviour which disturbs the proper use of the reserve by other campers, including the excessive use of amplified music;

• Erratic driving of motor vehicles;

• Failing to obey the directions of CALM staff;

• Failing to obey fire restrictions during prohibited times;

• Damage to property or wildlife or vegetation;

Visitors who fail to leave the Reserve when requested will be prosecuted and face a maximum fine of $1000.

Marrinup POW Camp.

During World War Two there was a need to house prisoners of war and an agreement was reached with Britain to bring a number of prisoners to W.A.

No. 16. POW Camp was constructed in the bush near Dwellingup and the prisoners were used to provide labour on farms and for cutting timber. Marrinup could hold up to 1,200 prisoners and began operation in August 1943.

German and Italian prisoners were held in separate areas of the compound. A special screening process ensured that no radical elements were allowed to come to this camp but in general it was the Italians who were best suited to being used as labour on local farms. Germans tended to work more as timber cutters.

Prisoners were not forced to work but were instead paid a small amount in the form of tokens which could be exchanged for 'luxury' items like chocolate and cigarettes.

A number of prisoners enjoyed the life in Australia so much that when the war ended they applied to stay but immigration rules meant they had to return home first and make their application from there. This was not a popular decision and at least 30 men escaped and managed to stay in W.A. after the last transport ship had left Fremantle. Others returned home and successfully applied to immigrate.

Little is left to show where the camp once stood except for a clearing in the forest and a few building foundations.

Baden Powell Campsite