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Australind

The Population of Australind is 12,612. Clifton Park 1,347, Leschenault 3,372 total of 12,673. Harvey Shire total is 25,000.

Australind, topped the National list for W.A’s best sea change destination town in 2007, and is one of the fastest growing towns in regional Western Australia. Australind outshone several Queensland retreats and Dudley Park, near Mandurah.

Australind was one of the earliest settlements in the State. It was named by its founders from a contraction of Australia and India, hoping there would be a prosperous trade between the two countries with cavalry horses and food. The town boasts many heritage buildings and features, which historically are valuable reminders of the Pioneers from the mid 1800s.

At the south-western end of the Harvey Shire, Australind is virtually surrounded by water with the Brunswick and Collie Rivers to the east and south, and the Leschenault Estuary to the west – an aquatic paradise where you can enjoy boating, sailing and windsurfing. The estuary has a large population of Blue swimmer crabs (Blue manna crabs) in season, which is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. If you prefer to fish you have come to the right place! The waters around Australind are abundant with fish such as silver bream and whiting.

The Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park – Australind at the northern end of Australind is a haven for native flora and fauna – a nature lover’s paradise. A good time to see the wildlife, especially kangaroos, is at dusk. Large numbers gather together and flocks of black swans converge on the waters opposite. With the inevitable magnificent sunset, this makes a unique photo opportunity that delights both tourists and locals.

Other suburbs in the Harvey Shire that surround Australind area are: Ashmere Heights, Bountiful Estate, Brotherton Heights, Clifton Park, Galway Green, Kingston, Leschenault, Leschenault Parklands, Parkfield Green, Marina Waters, Meadow Landing, Riverlands, Settlers Estate & Treendale.

Australind today is a vibrant, modern community which enjoys a wonderful, relaxed lifestyle. Stroll through the shopping centre and find a bargain to recall your time spent in Australind, or take a coffee break at the Henks Cafe Australind to sample our country style baking of kitchen treats and enjoy the view.

Things to See and Do

Call into Henton Cottage – Australind Information Centre to collect your Australind brochure and map.

Australind Mosaic

This is one of many mosaics you will find in the Harvey District. Designed and made by a Harvey born and bred ‘Anthea Ward’. The Harvey Shire has a Mosaics and Murals trail featuring Anthea’s unique designs.

Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park

Turn into Cathedral Avenue (scenic drive) from the Old Coast Road to Buffalo Road, then into the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park – Australind. On entering the Park there is an information bay, picnic areas and a camping area. DEC (CALM) rangers collect camping fees daily. This area is abundant with native wildlife, where 60 species of birds have been recorded. Watch the dolphins at play on the southern and western sides
of the peninsula. Binoculars would be a good accessory to take with you! Only Walking and cycling are permitted across most of the Park. However, 4WD beach access is available from Buffalo Beach. Long or short circuit Walking can be enjoyed. There is a 4km Estuary Walk which will take you about 1.5 hours, or a short walk which starts at the carpark. An information panel tells you which direction to take.

Leschenault Discovery Centre / Jetty Walk

A Living Window 1.5 km south of town centre on Old Coast Road. Entry Free. Learn about the estuary environment and the plants and animals in it. Stroll out over the tranquil waters at the Leschenault Waterways Discovery Centre & Jetty Walk. A great place to fish or just relax. BBQ and toilet facilities on site.

Featured Wood Gallery & Museum

The Featured Wood Gallery & Museum is situated in the Light Industrial Area (12 Piggott Drive, off Paris Road roundabout to Treendale). Unique wood craft and furniture created by craftsman John Ablett using forest floor timbers, including Jarrah, Sheoak and Marri. A new addition to the Gallery is the unique museum of life in 1861. Watch out for Ned Kelly, Indian’s and Aboriginal artifacts. This museum features in the Working Life Heritage Trail.

Leschenault Estuary

Aquatic heaven along the Old Coast Road
Popular for crabbing, fishing, prawning, boating, sailing and windsurfing. Boat ramp, car park, playground and public toilets are opposite the shopping centre. Numerous picnic and BBQ (wood) sites are scattered along the foreshore. Fishing groyne and Leschenault Waterways Discovery Centre & Jetty Walk located 1.5km south of the Old Coast Road shopping centre. Throw in a line and catch a tailor, whiting, flathead, flounder or herring for your evening meal.

Cathedral Avenue

Off Old Coast Road, north of the town centre.
A shady, scenic drive through the arching Paperbark trees along the estuary foreshore. This is a favourite place for kangaroos and black swans, especially at sunset. BBQs and picnic sites are located along this drive.

Australind Heritage Trail

The name Australind was coined by its founders, the Western Australian Company, from a contraction of Australia and India.

1. Henton Cottage – Paris Rd (originally ‘The Prince of Wales Hotel’)
Opposite St Nicholas Church is of historic interest. Built in 1841 by William Dacres Williams as the “Prince of Wales Hotel”. Its Original two rooms came from England as a prefabricated building. Heritage Roses that add to its appeal surround the gardens. Henton Cottage now houses a Tourist Information Centre, arts crafts and collectable antiques.

2. The Church of St Nicholas
The original site was approximately 2km north of Henton Cottage – Australind Information Centre on Old Coast Road.
An interesting reminder of the early days is the historic St Nicholas Church.

Built by James Narroway in 1840’s circa as a small workman’s hut where he lived with his wife Sarah. Later in 1848, it was used for a church and on the festival of St Nicholas in 1993, the church became a parish in it’s own right then converted to a Congressional Chapel by John Allnutt (whose home can be seen nearby) prior to 1860’s and dedicated to the Church of England in 1915. Made of Jarrah and measuring only 3.8 × 6.7m, it claims the distinction of being the smallest church in Western Australia. It was the only building then available for settlers to use as a place of worship.

3. Upton House – Upton Place
Built in 1844/5 for Mrs. Elizabeth Fry. The original building bricks are believed to have been cargo or ballast on the “Trusty” during her second voyage to Australind in 1844.
Private residence (not open to the public).

4. Memorial Seat – Old Coast Rd
Situated 800m north of Henton Cottage – Australind Information Centre on Old Coast Road, Australind. A stone memorial seat located on the site of the landing of the first settlers in 1840. A plaque showing the original town plan and memorial to early pioneer’s and ships.

5. Pioneer Park – Opposite memorial seat
First planted circa 1843 by Lucy, Rachel and Caroline Clifton. Two of the three peppermint trees still stand plus a fig tree brought from Tenerife Island in 1841.

6. Cathedral Avenue – Scenic Drive 3.4 km
Scenic Drive – 3.4 km. This was the original Old Coast road. Although the road has been altered in parts, the Paperbark trees can still be admired arching over the road in a cathedral like manner.

7. John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Monument – Buffalo Rd – 11.6km Buffalo Road – 11.6 km.
In 1803 Lieutenant de Freycinet on board the ‘Casuarina’ sighted a rocky point which was part of what is known now as Koombana Bay. On entering the Bay he discovered an inlet which he named ‘Leschenault’ after the expedition’s botanist. John Boyle O’Reilly was one of 62 Irish Political prisoners among 279 convicts who arrived at Fremantle in 1868. He was a member of the Fenian Movement, an organisation dedicated to achieving an independent Irish Republic. O’Reilly escaped from this area whilst working as a member of a convict road crew near Bunbury. He hid in the dense peppermint woodland with the help of a local family. John Boyle O’Reilly made his escape aboard an American Whaler, the ‘Gazelle’ on 3 March 1869. Before settling in Boston he assisted 6 Fenian political prisoners in their escape from Fremantle Prison aboard the ‘Catalpa’. He became a well known humanitarian, poet, writer and orator. A granite monument erected to O’Reilly stands at the northern entry to the Leschenault Peninsular Park.

Following European Settlement the Peninsular was mostly used for stock grazing. In 1838 Thomas Little purchased 741.4 hectares on Leschenault Peninsula on behalf of Charles Prinsep, and named the homestead Belvidere in honor of the Prinsep mansion in Calcutta. Little managed the property to raise horses and cattle for the Indian Army. In the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Belvidere became a commune for alternative lifestyler’s, with up to 14 houses. A granite monument to; John O Reilly, Irishman, soldier, convict, poet, author and lecturer.

John Boyle O’Reilly Wetland Trail – Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park – Australind
Length: 1km return – Surface: Bitumen and Boardwalk – Difficultly: Easy – Users: Walkers, Prams, Wheelchairs – Facilities: Information Shelter, Tables, Toilets.
Learn more about the plants and animals of this park as you meander through Tuart, Peppermint and Paperbark trees. At the information shelter, discover how the Irish convict John Boyle O’Reilly made his daring escape into the bush here from a ship named the Gazelle in 1869.

8. Australind Cemetery – Old Coast Rd – 2.2km (was Mt. Claremont Cemetery)
Approximately 2.2km north of Henton Cottage – Australind Information Centre on Old Coast Road, on the crest of a limestone hill, the first burial took place on the 13th March 1842, that of Dr Anthony French Carpenter, Medical Officer on board the Barque ‘Parkfield’. Dr. Carpenter was about thirty at the time of his death. This unfortunate event was a year after the arrival of the first settlers. Others buried here are Marshall Walter Clifton and his wife Elinor along with many of their descendants. A special feature in spring is an abundance of wildflowers of all varieties.

Other Historical Plaques

Benjamin & James Piggott – near Shire Office in front of Library, early pioneers.
Australind State School – 1.4 km Cathedral/ Scenic Drive
Catholic Church Site- Circa 1870- 1970 2.4km Cathedral Scenic Drive
Parkfield School – 10 km – Buffalo Road, just past the stand of trees.

New Subdivisions of the Australind Area

ASHMERE HEIGHTS
Beautiful meadows rich with wildlife.

Ashmere Heights is just 2 kilometres from the Australind Shopping Centre, yet you could be in the middle of a forest! Ashmere Heights is located on the side of hill overlooking the Leschenault inlet. The main feature of this area, is that is contains a lot of old growth trees, most of which were left when the subdivision took place! The roads were planned with minimal disturbance to the trees and strict building covenants ensured a high quality estate. Driving into Ashmere Heights is like driving into another world.

Ashmere Heights residents are served by the close-by Australind 7 day shopping centre, doctors surgery’s, fast food outlets and hardware store plus the Australind Recreation Centre. Australind also houses the new development of Treendale, also with a new huge shopping centre and amenities, upon entering Ashmere Heights estate, you feel as if you have just entered a State forest!

SALES:- It was the regions fasted ever selling subdivision, selling out over the weekend of its release. The demand for lots was so great, that future stages were also sold off the plan on the weekend, despite no pegging taking place.

It remains one of the areas most sought after real estate areas and offers a serene lifestyle.

BROTHERTON HEIGHTS
Just 2 minutes from the Leschenault Estuary and a variety of activities for the whole family, water sport & crabbing, 3 minutes from Australind Shopping Centre, 2 minutes from High School, 2 minutes from Primary Schools & 3 minutes from Highway to Perth.

BOUNTIFUL ESTATE
Situated close to the Leschenault Leisure & Aquatic Centre and playing fields and is close to almost everything! The footy oval, soccer pitches, tennis courts and public swimming pool. Just a short drive to the Leschenault Estuary where you can drop the boat in, go crabbing or just lay around enjoying what nature has to offer. Supermarket, Schools and Doctors are all just a few minutes away. What more could you want from a location? A perfect estate with all the access that a growing family needs.

CLIFTON PARK
Clifton Park is close to the Brunswick & Collie Rivers, shopping centre, crabbing and Golfing.

Secluded and charming with views of the leschenault inlet. Well presented area. Just minutes to Australind’s retail hub, first- rate schools and scenic walkways.

LESCHENAULT
Enjoy a change of lifestyle in Leschenault. If you ever thought about a lifestyle change this place could be just the place for you. Leschenault is the northern locality that adjoins Australind and is south of Binningup in the Shire of Harvey WA.

The community of Leschenault is made up of several subdivisions, Settlers, Ashmere Heights, Marina Waters, all being semi rural of around one acre or so.
The first subdivision in the area started out out as Riverlands but now has the distinguished name of Settlers.

MARINA WATERS

North of the Town of Australind amongst the trees and wildlife.
The flat area where the Community Hall, and a few of the other houses now stand, situated in Marine Drive was used to grow potatoes, tomatoes and watermelons, by the lessees who also ran cattle and sheep on the property for a few years.

Subdivision proceeded slowly from mid 1980’s and the gradual expansion of the Leschenault area has seen a limited amount of land vacant.

Australind itself is expanding at a great rate and the inclusion of the Galway Green subdivision between the two has seen the Settlers area linked by internal roads to Australind instead of just using the Old Coast Road.

MEADOW LANDING
Your very own tranquil environment with nothing to disturb you but the sweet chirp of the birds and gentle breeze blowing through the trees. Meadow Landing is the place to settle down and enjoy what life has to offer.

GALWAY GREEN
Views to the Darling Ranges. Walking distance to local school. Short stroll to the tranquil Brunswick River. Close to local parkland, playground and lake. Short distance from the shopping centre and the Leschenault Estuary.

PARKFIELD GREEN ESTATE
This wonderful estate features an avenue of trees with sporting, recreation and aquatic centre nearby. The Parkfield Green Estate has easy access to primary and high schools and the Australind Shopping Centre.
RIVERLANDS/SETTLERS
A northern locality that adjoins Australind and is south of Binningup in WA.
Settlers is a subdivision of Australind along with Ashmere Heights, Marina Waters, all being semi rural of around one acre or so.
The first subdivision in the area started out out as Riverlands but now has the distinguished name of Settlers.

Prior to being subdivided the area contained a couple of limestone pits and a couple of hundred acres of land used for grazing. The flat area where the Community Hall, and a few of the other houses now stand, situated in Marine Drive was used to grow potatoes, tomatoes and watermelons, by the lessees who also ran cattle and sheep on the property for a few years.

Subdivision proceeded slowly from mid 1980’s and the gradual expansion of the Leschenault area has seen a limited amount of land vacant.

Australind itself is expanding at a great rate and the inclusion of the Galway Green subdivision between the two has seen the Settlers area linked by internal roads to Australind instead of just using the Old Coast Road.

TREENDALE

Treendale is located on the banks of the Brunswick River, near Australind. Treendale Estate is a 1,200 residential lot estate, which will also include a major shopping centre, retail outlets, tavern, medical centre and retirement village. Construction of stage 1 of the Treendale District Centre will commence in February 2009 at a cost of $48 million, with construction of the proposed retirement village to follow. This fresh and vibrant estate is a perfect place to enjoy nature.

Treendale is an ultra-modern community nestled in natural bushland just a short drive from Australind. With 2 kilometres of unspoiled river frontage, 25 hectares of public open space, parklands, childrens’ playgrounds, bush walks and much more. Of course, the demand for these homesites continues to be high, and it’s definitely first in best address.

Heritage Council Database – Australind

Australind Memorial (11964)
Australind Police Station (17444)
Australind Prec No 1- Henton Cottage and Upton House (12022)
Belvidere (17632) (Leschenault)
Boat Landing (3179)
Cathedral Avenue and Wetlands Inc Paperbark Trees (4460) (Leschenault)
Cooks Park Farmhouse (1186) (Leschenault)
Church of St Nicholas, Australind (1188)
Ditchingham Homestead and Outbuildings (11965)
Henton Cottage (1189)
Parkfield Homestead (11968)
John Boyle O’Reilly Monument (3163)
Mt Claremont Cemetery (4528)
Springhill Homestead (1198)
Upton House (1187)


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