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.
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!
Amenities
Location
Margaret River Old Settlement
53/69 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285, Australia
Reviews
4.5 (432 Google reviews)
CW T13 December 2023
Beautiful, clean, peaceful and quiet park to take nice trail walks or runs. The main tracks are clearly marked out and I see that some people also create their own tracks for their own walks or hikes. There was ample parking spaces when I visited in a weekday afternoon though it does seem to get quite packed when I drove past the place on a weekend morning.
yanche tabitha28 January 2022
Loved this greenish park..!
Nearby Cafe which provide for hiring bikes and fixing bikes,super clean and shiny benches, bbq area, next to the old settlement house, and walking track on the bush (2.5km). It was so amazing.
Definitely worth it and must come to spend the day with kids.
Nicky Schrama04 September 2022
Fantastic little walk. I took my pram and it was comfortable enough to navigate the gravel. Beautiful walk through the trees, stunning river crossing and then a gorgeous broadwalk section over the river. Comes out next to a great Cafe too!
M C31 August 2022
There are different walk trails that you can do at this park, and it’s very lovely and peaceful place to walk. Suitable for children too as there are playgrounds available.
The park is located just outside the city centre, so you can either drive and park there, or walk there is you can staying close to the city centre.
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