Pinjarra

An hour drive south of Perth and just a short hop from Mandurah is Pinjarra, the centre of the Murray Shire. Pinjarra is one of the oldest towns in Western Australia and lies on the banks of the Murray River, straddling the South West Highway. Although the district has been settled since the early 1830s, large tracts of land remain untouched and have an air of peace and tranquillity. The dignified steam engines of the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway are ready to take visitors on a nostalgic journey through lush farmlands, up the dramatic and beautiful Darling Scarp and into the forest of Dwellingup. The train runs from May until October. If it is action you want, Pinjarra has both thoroughbred and harness racing, an excellent golf course, skydiving and a multitude of water and land based activities. The Pinjarra Festival in June and the Teddy Bear's Picnic every November are popular events, as is the Rodeo also held in November. The Pinjarra Visitors Centre is located at Edenvale, the homestead of the McLarty family with a café and craft shops. The Devonshire teas are recommended. Pinjarra has a selection of cafes and restaurants, tearooms and restaurants. Beautifully restored historic buildings provide wonderful accommodation for holiday makers. Motel, hotel, caravan park, bed and breakfast and chalet accommodation is also available.