| DUNSBOROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
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The name Dunsborough probably comes from the early naming of the foreshore area as Dunn Bay,
believed to be named after an early American whaler named Dunn who regularly used the area and
even planted a garden there to provide fresh vegetables for himself and crew. Another theory is
that it was named by Governor Stirling after the town in Scotland. The aboriginal name was 'Quedjinup' meaning 'place of women'. Wherever the name came from Dunsborough is today a thriving town of 3,000 people on a beautiful bay in a lovely section of Western Australia. Although it was first frequented by whalers who used it as a source of wood and water, it was not gazetted as a town until 1879. In the early 1800's hundreds of whalers were operating off the Western Australian Coast and in Geographe Bay and in 1846 the Castle Bay Whaling Station was established and its first manager, William Seymour, built a shingle roof cottage in Dunn Bay Rd. This building still exists although it has been moved to the Old Mill at Yallingup. Around this time a timber industry developed at Quindalup, 3km. south east of the present township, and a jetty was established where hardwood jarrah and karri were loaded onto flat-bottom barges for transport to the larger ships anchored off-shore, and eventually to India. The timber was hauled to the jetty along a tram track of wooden tracks with a base of solid jarrah sleepers. The first ship carrying timber to India was the 'Lord Raglan' which sailed in 1858. Quindalup, meaning 'place of the Quinda', takes its name from a small marsupial bandicoot now rarely seen. Quindalup was also the site of Yelverton's Mill which supplied timber. Dunsborough enjoys a moderate climate with an average maximum of 22.1° and minimum of 11.1° C. between December and February in reaches the high 20°s and between July and September drops to 8.1°. The average annual rainfall if 864mm. mainly between May and October. PLACES OF INTEREST: This coastal park lies between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste and contains hundreds of caves, golden beaches, and spectacular coastal scenery. It is possible to walk between the two capes and in fact you are encouraged to do so. More information on the park is available from the information Centre. The Ngilgi Cave is between Dunsborough and Yallingup off Caves Rd. and is open 7 days with entry to the cave every 30 minutes. Regular tours provide the thrill of real caving in a safe environment - suitable for all ages. Here you will see startling limestone formations and immense chambers of great beauty. The cave was discovered by Edward Dawson in 1899 and he was so impressed with his find he pressed to have the find opened to the public. In 1900 it became the first show cave in Western Australia. It takes its name from its association with an aboriginal legend describing a battle between a good spirit (Ngilgi) and an evil spirit (Wolgine). Open: School Holidays and Long Weekends. 9.30 to 5.00 (Last entry 4.00pm.) January School Holidays. 9.30 to 6.00 (Last entry 5.00pm.) All other times. 9.30 to 4.30 (Last entry 3.30pm.) Semi-guided tours are available. Enquiries Ph: 08 9755 2152. Fax 08 9755 2022. Torchlight Tours for groups. The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (1903) will be found on the north-west tip of Cape Naturaliste at the end of Naturaliste Terrace from Dunsborough. Built from limestone quarried at nearby Bunker Bay at a cost of £4,800 it was officially opened in 1904. Spectacular coastal views will be seen and there are fully guided tours, a maritime museum, souvenirs, walking trails, and whale watching in season (usually June to October). The lighthouse is now automated and the last keeper left in 1996. The lighthouse is open daily from 9,30 to 4.00pm with last entry at 3.30. In school holidays it is open from 9am. to 5pm. with last entry at 4.00pm. Phone or Fax 08 9755 3955 for enquiries. Caves Rd. Club professional Lindsay Stephen. Full 18 hole course. Free golf for children under 16 with a paying adult.. Ph: 08 9756 8100. Gunyulgup Valley Dve. Yallingup. Ph: 08 9755 2177 Regional Art Gallery open 7 days (10am-5pm.) WQildwood Rd, Yallingup. Ph/Fax: 08 9755 2309 Australian made wool products, shearing and sheep dog demonstrations. Shop2. 222 Naturaliste Tce. Dunsborough. Ph: 08 9756 8778 Diving adventures on the 'Swan' wreck. Whale watching in season, Charters daily. Open daily, 9.30-5.00pm.. TOURS: Tour Operators: Diving on 'HMAS Swan', whale watching, operating on the whole WA coast. Accommodation and Diving Packages 1800 199 029 Cape Dive. Ph: 08 9756 8778. Diving on 'HMAS Swan', whale watching. Dunsborough Boat & Bike Hire. Ph: 08 9756 8701. canoes, dinghys, windsurfers, bikes. EcoTours. Ph: 08 9752 2334. You walk - we carry ! Cape to Cape walk from 1 to 10 days.. Dunsborough Horse World. Ph: 08 9755 3372. Trail rides, pony rides, wine tours. Mirravale Horse Riding. Ph: 08 9755 2180. Yallingup. Scenic trail rides and lessons. ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:  USE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH INFORMATION CENTRE: Dunsborough Tourist Bureau (Open daily) Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre. Seymour Boulevarde, Dunsborough. WA 6281. Ph: 08 9755 3299. Fax: 08 9756 8065 HOW TO GET THERE: By road south from Perth 185km. through Mandurah to Bunbury along highway 1. Take the Bussell Hwy through Busselton and turn west just before Vasse 14km to Dunsborough. LIGHT PLANE Telephone: 08 9478 3850. Freecall 1800 677 747 (WA only) Maximum baggage 10kg per person. Perth to Busselton or Margaret River. Flights Mon. Wed. Fri. Depart Perth 6.45am, 4.15pm. Arr. Margaret River: 7.20am. 4.445pm. Arr Busselton: 7.45am. 5.10pm. COACH Perth Terminus: Perth City Bus Port 3 Mounts Bay Rd. Perth. Ph: 08 9342 2333 Leaves Daily 8.45am. East Perth Terminal. Ph: 13 10 53 Approx 4-5 hours depending on stops. Sunday to Friday. Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri. 9.00am Mon, Wed. 12.45pm. Thurs. 12.45pm. Fri. 5.15pm. Departs Sun:1.30pm. |
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins 2008 | |