Greenough: History, Landscapes and Discoveries

Greenough combines evidence of early settlement with a distinctive landscape on the coastal plain. A self-guided walk through Central Greenough on Yamatji Country offers one way to explore the area. Other highlights include a historic homestead, a long driving route through the region and trees shaped by the prevailing southerly winds. You can discover Greenough on foot, by car or through its natural and cultural heritage, depending on your interests.

Walk and heritage precinct

Central Greenough on Yamatji Country can be explored on a self-guided walk. The heritage precinct is open seven days a week from 9 am to 3 pm, except on public holidays. When planning your visit, take note of both the opening hours and the public holiday exception. The walking tour and a longer drive through the region are different formats, each suited to a different way of exploring.

A homestead with family history

Greenough Museum & Gardens is located in a heritage-listed former homestead. It was built between 1862 and 1880 using convict labour for local entrepreneur John S. Maley, and was his family’s home for 70 years. It has been a museum since 1966. These time spans tell the story of the building’s successive uses: first as a homestead, then as a family home and finally as a museum.

The Greenough Museum & Gardens Maley archive includes documents about the business dealings of regional entrepreneur John Maley. The collection contains letters, financial records, diaries and convict records. For anyone interested in the region’s history and its written records, these types of documents offer a tangible insight into different aspects of business and personal history. Much of the front garden has been opened to the public. In 2013, this area was named Elizabeth’s Garden in honour of Elizabeth Maley.

Greenough and Walkaway by road

The Greenough/Walkaway Heritage Trail is a 57-kilometre driving route. It explores the region’s settlement history and the buildings of a once important community that shrank significantly after the floods of 1888. The route’s name includes Greenough and Walkaway, and its theme links regional history with the surviving buildings. Unlike the walk through Central Greenough, the Heritage Trail is designed as a driving route.

Another historic structure is Convict Bridge, also known as Maley’s Bridge. It was built in Greenough between 1864 and 1866 using convict labour. Both names and the construction period are part of the structure’s history; together with the former homestead, it points to the region’s building history. Those interested in historic structures will find another named stop in Greenough, in addition to the museum.

Wind-shaped trees and water activities

Greenough’s so-called Leaning Trees grow horizontally along the roads on the coastal plain, shaped by the prevailing southerly winds. Their unusual growth makes the wind’s impact on the landscape visible and sets Greenough’s natural attractions apart from its historic buildings and collections. Landscape and culture offer distinct reasons to learn more about the area.

Nearby, the mouth of the Greenough River and Devlin Pool offer opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. These activities complement historic exploration with time spent by the water.

More destinations: Drummond Cove, Northam, Scotsdale, Lancelin, Cuballing, North Fremantle, Port Kennedy, Mount Helena.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.