Gnowangerup Western Australia Australia

Four hours’ drive southeast of Perth is the classic wheat and sheep town of Gnowangerup.

Throughout the shire and the main street of Gnowangerup are a number of attractive buildings constructed during pioneering days. A large steam tractor imported in 1889, which cleared much of the local countryside, is a relic of this era. You will find this tractor in the gardens adjacent to the shire office.

In the showground at the southern end of the main street, a collection of unrestored early agricultural machinery can be viewed.

While some settlement in the region took place in the second half of the nineteenth century, it was around 1905 that the Lands Department was asked to survey the area for town lots.

The shire of Gnowangerup embraces the towns of Gnowangerup, Ongerup, Borden and Stirling Range National Park. Two very distinct landscapes make up the shire: 100,000 hectares of farmland supporting a highly efficient livestock and cropping industry of wheat, lupines, barley, canola, clover seed, peas, oats and faba beans; and the majestic Stirling Range – a growing ecotourism destination which attracts an estimated 175,000 people annually.

The name Gnowangerup, place of the mallee fowl, is derived from ‘gnow’, the Nyoongar (south west Aboriginal) word for mallee fowl.

Hotel/Motel accommodation is available in town. Accommodation is also available in nearby areas of Katanning, Ongerup and Stirling Range.

Restaurant and cafe dining is available.