The tailings at the Government Smelter outside Ravensthorpe

Ravensthorpe
Small sheep and wheat service centre
Located 540 km south of Perth, Ravensthorpe is a small sheep and wheat town which started life as a gold and copper mining town.

The area was first surveyed by the Western Australia Surveyor General John Septimus Roe in 1848. It was Roe who named many of the features in the area. From the summit of Mount Madden (which he named after the Colonial Secretary), Roe named Mount Short after the Bishop of South and Western Australia and Ravensthorpe after the bishop's old parish in England. He also named the Phillips and Young Rivers and Mount Desmond.

The first settlers into the area were the Dunn brothers. It is thought that John Dunn became interested in the area when he became temporarily marooned while sealing off the coast near Mary Anne Harbour. Dunn moved into the area in 1868 and spent 'the first three years clearing scrub, building sheep yards and preparing for permanent occupation' on a piece of land he would name 'Cocanarup'.

In 1871 John Dunn took three months to overland some sheep from Albany with his brother George. He was formally granted 4049 ha on 1 January 1873. John Dunn was killed by local Aborigines in 1880. His grave is located on Cocanarup Road which runs off the South Coast Highway west of Ravensthorpe. Cocanarup Homestead (it was probably built between 1868-1871) is a typical spartan pioneer's house made from local stone and galvanised iron with simple, earthen floors.

By the end of the century the gold mania which had seen the rise of cities like Kalgoorlie had reached a fever pitch. In 1898 Jim Dunn (one of John Dunn's brothers) found gold on the 'Cocanarup' property. Overnight prospectors poured into the area and the Phillips River Goldfield was established.

As with all gold towns the development of Ravensthorpe was hysterical. In 1900 the town was surveyed (it was gazetted the following year) and the population had grown to 500.

The Dunn brothers, who had started the rush which had produced the town, were eager to capitalise on their increased fortunes. When land in the new town was offered for sale in 1901 they purchased two lots in the main street and built the Miners Arms Hotel and a General Store.

Prior to World War I the town continued to grow so that by 1909 the population had reached 3000. By 1918 the smelter and the mines had closed and most of the prospectors had moved away. The mines continued to operate, depending on the price of copper, until the 1970s but the town never regained the vigour it enjoyed prior to World War I.

Development of the town at this time has left a legacy of interesting historical and industrial relics.

Today Ravensthorpe is a tiny town. An annual wildflower exhibition is held on the first Saturday of each September in the Senior Citizens Hall (Morgan St).

Things to see:  

Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau
The bureau is located in the main street (Morgan St). It has information on all local attractions, including information on walking and driving trails in the district, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Cocanarup Homestead
Cocanarup Homestead (it was probably built between 1868-1871) is a typical spartan pioneer's house made from local stone and galvanised iron with simple, earthen floors. It is now located on private property however it is possible to visit the old home. Contact Ravensthorpe Tourist Information (tel: 08 9838 1277, or phone (08) 9838 1163.

The Palace Hotel
The Palace Hotel in Morgan Street was built in 1907 and is the outstanding building in town. It was built from local bricks with a large upstairs verandah and an ornamental staircase. The stained glass window, once a feature of the hotel, is no longer in existence.

Government Smelter
Perhaps the most poignant evidence of the town's former glory is the disused Government Smelter where mountainous tailings dumps and old equipment stand starkly as a reminder of the importance the town enjoyed during the copper and gold rush period. Operating between 1906 and 1918, it smelted gold and copper ingots and once employed around 120 men. The rounded chunks of molten rock are slag remnants, once poured into crucibles then wheeled off for dumping via trolleys. The site is located 2 km south-east of town via the road to Hopetoun.

Ravensthorpe Historical Society Museum
The main attraction is the Ravensthorpe Historical Society Museum which is located in Dance Cottage beside the South Coast Highway. It contains an array of memorabilia and other items pertaining to local history and is open every morning. It can also be opened by arrangement (see the telephone numbers outside) at other times. Apart from Dance Cottage itself the museum complex includes the town's first gaol and the guard's van from the Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe railway.

Cattlin Creek Heritage Trail
There is an interesting brochure, Cattlin Creek Heritage Trail - Development of the Ravensthorpe District, which covers most of the important historical sites in town. It starts at the Dance Cottage Museum, moves to the Railway Station and Railway Turnaround (the railway ran between Ravensthorpe and the Phillips River mining area between 1909-1935), crosses Cattlin Creek where once there was a railway bridge, moves on to the Mount Cattlin Mine, passes the Big House which was built in 1906-7 for the manager of the Government smelter, reaches the current shire offices which date from 1908 and finishes, appropriately, at the Palace Hotel. It is, so the brochure declares, 'a leisurely two hour walk exploring the early history of the Ravensthorpe area'. For further information, contact: (08) 9838 1277.

An entertaining history of the area, Ravensthorpe - Then and Now, is available from the Museum.

Fitzgerald River National Park
Apart from the beautiful beaches and the excellent fishing, the major attraction in the area is Fitzgerald River National Park, a huge 330,000-ha strip of the coastline between Hopetoun and Bremer Bay. It is, by any measure, a superb park of rivers, dramatic gorges, spongelite cliffs along the Hamersley and Fitzgerald River valleys, wide sand plains, isolated mountains, rugged cliffs, pebbly beaches and spectacular displays of wildflowers between August and November. Activities include sightseeing, walking, photography, camping, canoeing and fishing. During the winter months, southern right whales can be seen from the cliffs at Point Ann.

CALM have put out a brochure titled Fitzgerald River and Frank Hann National Parks which provides detailed information on the roads in the park, a useful map, information about camping (there are no facilities), fishing and bushwalking.

A very detailed study of the park, A Park in Perspective, has been commissioned by the Fitzgerald River National Park Association and written by Keith Bradby. It provides information on the geology, geomorphology, climate, vegetation and history of the park.

In the Introduction Bradby sums up the appeal of the park when he writes: 'The park sits astride the incised valleys of four major river systems, which flow south-east to the coast. Dominating the southern section is a low range of rugged quartzite hills known collectively as The Barrens, while the core of the park is an extensive undulating plain...The flora of the park is exceptionally rich and diverse. Although the Park is only 0.2 per cent of Western Australia's land surface, over 20 per cent of Western Australia's plant species occur there. Many of the plant species are endemic to the region, reflecting the tight and varied plant/soil mosaics. Vegetation varies, from woodland on the richer soils through to mallee and mallee heath.

'There are more recorded species of birds, mammals and frogs than in any other reserve in south-west Australia. This is partly a reflection of the park size, but also because of the blending of wet country and dry country species which occur in the park.' In fact, there are 209 bird species and over 1800 recorded plant species, including 81 orchid types. 62 plant species are unique to the park, including the brightly-coloured royal hakea. Some of the park's flora, such as the showy banksia, is notable for unusual and striking leaf-shapes. 18 native mammals are known to inhabit the park, including the rare dibbler and the heath rat; both, at one time, thought to be extinct. Threatened species, such as the woylie, the tammar wallaby and the ground parrot, mostly inhabit the heaths and mallee in the north of the park, which preserves an example of the vegetaion once typical of the wheatbelt before clearing occurred.

There is a walkway to the top of East Mount Barren Lookout which affords fine views of the area. The trek takes two to three hours return. Beaches along the coast include Barrens Beach and East Mylies Beach (both good for walking, fishing and whale watching), West Beach (good for surfing but with no facilities), Whalebone Beach (for remote backpack camping), Quoin Head (accessible by 4WD only with free gas barbecues, toilets, bushwalking, camping and fishing), and Hamersley Inlet, which has two campsites, toilets, bushwalking and fishing opportunities.

The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia has an excellent map of Bremer Bay-Hopetoun which, apart from providing a useful description of all the attractions in the area, has detailed information on the tracks and 4WD roads through the Fitzgerald River National Park. It can be obtained from the RAC in Albany or from the head office at 228 Adelaide Terrace, Perth.

Frank Hann National Park
This remote 60,000-ha park is located about 100 km north of Ravensthorpe. Consisting chiefly of moorland, heathland and scrubland, it is of value to those interested in genuine hiking. There are no facilities. The wildflowers are in bloom from August to November. CALM have put out a brochure titled Fitzgerald River and Frank Hann National Parks which provides detailed information on the roads in the park, a useful map, information about camping (there are no facilities), fishing and bushwalking.

Ravensthorpe Range
This 45-km long strip offers fine views of the district. It can be accessed by all vehicles via either Ethel Daw Drive (16 km south-east of town) or Archer Drive (10 km north of town). However, Range Top Drive is only negotiable by 4WD. For further information, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Hamersley Drive Heritage Scenic Trail
This 170-km circular route makes its way to Fitzgerald River National Park. Brochures are available from the Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Ethel Daw Scenic Drive
This 30-km trail takes in Mount Desward Lookout (340 metres) which offers excellent panoramic views of the district. A related brochure is available from the Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Mt Madden Scenic Drive
This is a 160-km circuit drive which takes in the local scenery and the views atop Mount Madden, although those wishing to drive straight to the mountain and back can do so in a shorter 76-km trek. The Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau has a related brochure, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Mt Short Scenic Drive
This is a 40-kmscenic tour for those possessed of four-wheel-drive vehicles. Its destination is Mt Short, which can be climbed. Along the way travelers can enjoy the pleasant local flora and mining relics. The Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau has a related brochure, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

The No. 1 Rabbit-Proof Fence
Portions of the 1822-km rabbit-proof fence (recently a focus of a film of the same name) can be seen in the area around Ravensthorpe. It was constructed between 1901 and 1907 to keep rabbits ad other pests out of farming areas, and was used as a guideline for three young Aboriginal girls in the 1930s who walked the length of the fence to make their way from enforced captivity back to their families. For further information enquire at the Ravensthorpe Tourist Bureau, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

Rock Hunting
There are plenty of mineralised rocks in the area for fossickers but it is best to inquire first at the Tourist Bureau and avoid trespassing, tel: (08) 9838 1277.

	Tourist Information
	Ravensthorpe Hopetoun Area Promotions Morgan St Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9831 277 Facsimile: (08) 9838 5029
	Motels
	Ravensthorpe Motel Hopetoun Rd Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1053 Rating: ***
	Ravensthorpe Palace Motor Motel/Hotel Morgan St Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1005 Rating: **
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Chambejo Farm Cottage P.O. Box 95 Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9835 7015
	Caravan Parks
	Ravensthorpe Caravan Park Elston St Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1050 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Ravensthorpe Motel Hopetoun Rd Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1053
	Ravensthorpe Palace Motor Motel/Hotel Morgan St Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1005
	Ravy Country Kitchen Morgan St Ravensthorpe WA 6346 Telephone: (08) 9838 1163