Nannup, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Nannup is a town and shire
in the South West region of Western Australia
, approximately 280 kilometres (174 mi) south of Perth
on the Blackwood River
at the crossroads of Vasse Highway
and Brockman Highway
, linking Nannup to most of the Lower South West's regional centres. At the 2006 census
, Nannup had a population of 501.
Aboriginal
origin, meaning either "stopping place" or "place of parrots", and was first recorded by surveyors in the 1860s. The area was initially known as "Lower Blackwood", and was first explored by Thomas Turner in 1834. In 1866, a bridge was built over the river and a police station was established. A townsite was set aside in 1885, surveyed in 1889 and gazetted on 9 January 1890. In 1906, a primary school and shire office were built, and in 1909, a railway (no longer in operation) was built from jarrah wood, linking to the South Western Railway and allowing the export of Nannup timber.
, shire offices, roadhouse, a sporting complex, shopping facilities, accommodation for travellers (hotel/motel, B&Bs
, caravan park), police station, three cafes, a hardware store, community centre, golf club and golf course, nursery and a gemstone museum. The main street has changed little over the years so has considerable heritage value.
The town population is about 600, with 1200 in the Shire of Nannup.
(formerly the Southwest Folk Festival) held over the Labour Day
long weekend in March each year and includes street performance and market stalls as well as a variety of musical performances.
Shire of Nannup
The Shire of Nannup is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, approximately south of the state capital, Perth and southeast of the coastal resort town of Busselton...
in the South West region of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, approximately 280 kilometres (174 mi) south of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
on the Blackwood River
Blackwood River
The Blackwood River is a major river and catchment in the South West of Western Australia.The river begins at the junction of Arthur River and Balgarup River near Quelarup and travels in a south westerly direction through the town of Bridgetown then through Nannup until it discharges into the...
at the crossroads of Vasse Highway
Vasse Highway
Vasse Highway is a Western Australian highway connecting Busselton and the South Western Highway 15 km south of Manjimup. It is long and travels through jarrah and karri hardwood forests for most of its length, with some small agricultural areas and wineries nearby, and forms the main street...
and Brockman Highway
Brockman Highway
Brockman Highway is a highway in Western Australia. A few hours south of Perth, it runs west from Bridgetown via Nannup to Karridale.Nannup is situated at the junction of the Vasse Highway and the Brockman Highway....
, linking Nannup to most of the Lower South West's regional centres. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Nannup had a population of 501.
History
Nannup's name is of NoongarNoongar
The Noongar are an indigenous Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast...
Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
origin, meaning either "stopping place" or "place of parrots", and was first recorded by surveyors in the 1860s. The area was initially known as "Lower Blackwood", and was first explored by Thomas Turner in 1834. In 1866, a bridge was built over the river and a police station was established. A townsite was set aside in 1885, surveyed in 1889 and gazetted on 9 January 1890. In 1906, a primary school and shire office were built, and in 1909, a railway (no longer in operation) was built from jarrah wood, linking to the South Western Railway and allowing the export of Nannup timber.
Present day
Nannup is the only town within the Shire of Nannup, and has a district high school (1961), telecentreTelecentre
A telecentre is a public place where people can access computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills...
, shire offices, roadhouse, a sporting complex, shopping facilities, accommodation for travellers (hotel/motel, B&Bs
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
, caravan park), police station, three cafes, a hardware store, community centre, golf club and golf course, nursery and a gemstone museum. The main street has changed little over the years so has considerable heritage value.
The town population is about 600, with 1200 in the Shire of Nannup.
Economy
Timber milling and agriculture (principally beef cattle) dominate the local economy although wine, floriculture and tourism are industries of growing importance. Furniture production and other local timber value-adding activities are also a minor employer.Events and festivals
Since the beginnings of the tourist industry in Nannup there have been several events and festivals held to promote the town. These include the week-long Flower and Garden Festival held in August each year and the weekend Rose Festival in November. The largest of Nannup's annual festivals is the Nannup Music FestivalNannup Music Festival
The Nannup Music Festival is a live performance music festival showcasing primarily folk music, but also other styles...
(formerly the Southwest Folk Festival) held over the Labour Day
Labour Day
Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
long weekend in March each year and includes street performance and market stalls as well as a variety of musical performances.