Waroona & Hamel
The township of Waroona has much to offer visitors. Please scroll down the page to find a little of its history, plus some "Things to see and do", and a list of other services and activities.
History
Settlers began to arrive in the area in the late 1830s although Drakesbrook (later to be known as Waroona) did not come into its own until the Pinjarra to Picton railway line was opened in 1893. The building of the railway, for which local timber was milled, boosted the town. When the railway was extended many more settlers came to the district.
The town catered to the needs of the mill workers with a post office, general store, blacksmith, a number of hotels come boarding houses, churches, doctor and dentist. The farms supplied butter, fruit and vegetables for the men of the mills and chaff for the horse teams that hauled the logs.
As in many of the small towns of the time dances, picnics and football formed the core of social life within the community.
The devastation of the Dwellingup fire of 1961 saw the closure of the nearby Nanga Brook Mill and townsite.
Today agriculture (beef and fresh produce), bauxite mining and tourism are important contributors to the local economy.
Waroona’s history book ‘Drakesbrook Days & Waroona Years' is available from the Visitor Centre.
Things to see & do
Waroona Visitor Centre - Local Art & Craft
Open 9.30am to 3.30pm daily, the Waroona Visitor Centre houses an art and craft gallery with a display of quality local art and handcrafts, and has visitor, tourism & community information. Disabled access and public toilets (during opening hours).
Waroona Visitor Centre Information
| Open |
Closed - Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day |
|---|
| Location |
37 South West Highway, Waroona |
|---|
| Postal Address |
PO Box 20, Waroona, WA, 6215 |
|---|
| Ph/Fax |
(08) 9733 1506 |
|---|
| Email |
visitorcentre@waroona.wa.gov.au |
|---|
Drakesbrook Place
Waroona's town square provides a central meeting place with its informal picnic and seating areas, an amphitheatre, stage and public facilities. An ongoing commitment by the local community saw a number of artworks in various mediums created to reflect and celebrate Waroona past and present. Memorial Hall, South West Highway.
Drakesbrook Antiques & Collectables
A wonderful collection including over 300 pieces of Moorcroft pottery plus Charlie Bears, Clarice Cliff, Doulton, figurines, china, glass, toys, dolls and more. This is a must see for browsers and collectors alike.
Drakesbrook Antiques & Collectables Information
| Open |
10:00am-5:00pm Wednesday to Sunday |
|---|
| Location |
85 South West Highway, Waroona |
|---|
| Phone |
(08) 9733 1240 |
|---|
| Website |
www.drakesbrookantique.com.au |
|---|
Centennial Park
Centennial Park is situated on South West Hwy at the southern end of town. Children’s playground, picnic seating, gas barbecues and stately trees provide a relaxed setting. Wide paths and modern toilets accommodate wheelchairs. The park is home to an interactive memorial to the old Drakesbrook School which burnt down in 2006.
Drakesbrook Weir
Gently undulating hills provide a picturesque backdrop for the cool clear waters and the grassed area is a popular picnic spot with its shaded tables and free gas barbecues. Recreational activities include walking, birdwatching, swimming, fishing and canoeing (no power boats).
Take a stroll along the wide disabled-friendly path (500m return) through natural bush to the rock-face wall of the weir where nearby a bronze plaque commemorates the discovery of the first known specimen of WA's remarkable atrichornis clamosus (noisy scrub bird).
Please note - Public toilets are available. Dogs are prohibited in all areas. Powerboats are also prohibited.
Waroona Recreation & Aquatic Centre
A modern facility with heated indoor pool, water slide, toddlers' area; squash, indoor tennis, basketball and netball courts; comprehensive gym, and various programmes offered. Crèche & free barbecues for Centre users. Function & meeting rooms, and fully appointed kitchen available at excellent rates. Disabled facilities. Open access to children’s playground and skate park.
Waroona Recreation & Aquatic Centre Information
| Open |
(Click here) for Opening Hours |
|---|
| Location |
Hill Street, Waroona |
|---|
| Phone |
(08) 9733 2389 |
|---|
Langford Hill Riding Farm
Lessons, school camps and trail rides through scenic bushland on the panoramic escarpment surrounding Lake Navarino and the Drakesbrook Weir. Rides with refreshment stopovers. Catering for beginners, disabled and experienced riders with accommodation available by arrangement. Disabled access. Bookings required.
Langford Hill Riding Farm Information
| Location |
136 Elliott Street, Waroona |
|---|
| Phone |
(08) 9733 1455 or 0417 911 491 |
|---|
| |
|
|---|
Lake Navarino (Waroona Dam)
The Waroona Dam was built on the Drakes Brook with work completed in 1966. The reservoir known as Lake Navarino covers an area of 145 hectares with its primary use being irrigation. It is also used extensively for recreational activities such as water skiing and freshwater fishing. The surrounding forest provides beautiful displays of wildflowers in season. Bush walking is a popular pastime for many visitors and part of the old Bibbulmun Track is still in existence and has been reopened for public use as part of the Munda Biddi Trail. Dogs on leash.
Please click the below link to view a video of Lake Navarino. The video was taken using a drone courtesy of Trent Lewis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqmCtl4dlL8&feature=youtu.be
Munda Biddi Trail
Munda Biddi means "path through the forest" in the local Nyoongar language. Predominantly a gentle cycling trail, it is made up of bush tracks, firebreaks and old railway formations and begins in Mundaring. The Waterous Loop starts at Lake Navarino Forest Resort and meanders through the rolling hills of the Darling Scarp.
Munda Biddi Trail Information
| Phone |
(08)9481 2483 or 0422 112 229 (Munda Biddi Trail Foundation) |
|---|
| Website |
www.mundabiddi.org.au |
|---|
Forest Edge Recreation Camp
Forest Edge Recreation Camp experienced a major loss of key infrastructure and property in the January 2016 Waroona-Yarloop bush fires. The owners, Graeme and Sonia Watson, together with staff and volunteers, have worked tirelessly on the rebuild and have since reopened. For more information please visit their Facebook page or their website.
Forest Edge Recreation Camp Information
| Location |
133 Weller Road, Waroona |
|---|
| Phone |
(08) 9733 1731 or 0429 470 047 |
|---|
| Website |
www.forestedge.net |
|---|
Hamel Hall & Bush Poles
Hamel is a small though progressive community working to protect its heritage. Hamel Hall, on Cornucopia Street, was constructed by prisoners around 1902 as prison barracks. Its rich history then saw it utilised in various capacities from 1908 until late 1970. By this time it was in poor repair but in mid 1980 was saved from demolition and restored for use. On its eastern side you will find picnic tables, barbecues and three bush poles crafted by locals depicting facets of life in Hamel. Hamel Park, nearby on Cullinga Street, has a modern playground, half basketball court and wide open spaces for a game of your choice.
Hamel Hall & Bush Poles Information
| Location |
Cornucopia Street, Hamel (a few minutes drive south of Waroona) |
|---|
Other Available Services
- Bendigo Bank ATM
- Churches - St Mark's Anglican Church, St Patrick's Catholic Church, Waroona Abundant Life, Waroona Uniting Church, Salvation Army, Christian Fellowship
- Dump Point – Waroona oval, Gate 3 on Millar Street, water available.
- Medical & Dental
- Harvey Medical (Waroona), Fouracre Street 9733 3007
- Dentures Direct WA, Fouracre Street 0411 222 784
- Chiropractic, 10 Henning Street 0458 940 981
- Fashion Boutiques
- Hairdressers
- Laundromat
- Library
- Licencing
- National Bank (ATM available)
- Natural Therapies & Massage
- Newsagency
- Pharmacy
- Real Estate Agents
- Supermarket
- Transport & Charters
- Vehicle Service/Repairs
- Rigg’s Auto Service, 7 Coronation Road 9733 1848
- Waroona Tyre & Mechanical, 62 SW Hwy 9733 1007
- Waroona Smash Repairs, 3/69 McLarty Street 9733 1103