Margaret River Old Settlement
4.5 (316 Google reviews) Margaret River Old Settlement
Coming south into town on Bussell Highway, turn left immediately over the bridge.
There is limited parking on site. Visitors are encouraged to park in Rotary Park on the northern side of the river and access the Old Settlement via the pedestrian bridge over the Margaret River.
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Visit the Old Settlement in Margaret River and immediately be transported back to the days of the Group Settlement farms.
Established in 1977 by members of the local Rotary Club, the attraction is a Group Settlement Scheme-style village that also depicts the beginnings of the Augusta-Margaret River dairy industry in the 1920's. There are a number of relocated buildings on site, including the Bramley Group School, Cowaramup Group House and a blacksmiths.
The former pottery workshop has undergone extensive refurbishment and is now The Hairy Marron Cafe featuring a deck which overlooks the Margaret River.
Nearby and connected via a bridge over the Margaret River is Rotary Park, which is home to a vintage steam locomotive known as Kate. Built in England in 1889, shipped to the region in 1890 and used for log hauling in the area until 1909, the eight-tonne locomotive was used at sawmills in Karridale, Jarrahdale and Marrinup, before being sold in 1917 and used at Wyndham until 1962.
In her retirement, Kate was bought by the Margaret River Rotary Club and displayed at Rotary Park. Kate is the only remaining engine built for the Karridale timber industry.
While walking along Ten Mile Brook Dam Trail starting from Rotary Park and around The Old Settlement, keep an eye out for the white-breasted robin, golden whistler and other bush birds. This is also a great spot for wildflowers in the spring!
