Yarloop

The population of Yarloop is 658. Cookernup 322.

Yarloop, Western Australia can help you rediscover the age of steam and timber as you step back in time at this perfectly preserved country town. Reminisce about an earlier age when the local general store was the place to meet and the air pulsated with industrial toil. Yarloop was established in the late 1800s as a timber milling town.

By the early 1900s, Millers Timber and Trading Company (now Sotico) virtually owned the town as the major local employer and landowner. The company set up engineering workshops to service the needs of logging mill towns in the surrounding forests. At the town’s peak, the workshops employed approximately 500 men. Sotico is now a very modern timber mill and the old historic engineering workshops that spanned the steam and horse-drawn era are being restored. Conducted tours of both places are available by appointment.

Yarloop has been registered as a conservation area and is deemed a historic precinct by the local council. Stroll through streets lined with historic timber workers’ cottages and enjoy the close-knit community feel. Yarloop is located 125kms south of Perth on the South Western Highway and is serviced daily by the Australind train from Perth and Bunbury.

Some remains of buildings and gardens are still visible. Follow one of the bushwalk trails through the forest to discover more about this beautiful area or just sit and admire the crystal clear creek. Visit the secret home of the rare noisy scrub bird. Spend a few days or a few hours exploring this old settlement. There are large, grassy campsites for groups, or secluded spots for those who like their privacy. Hoffman’s even has the luxury of flushing toilets, free gas BBQ, picnic facilities and footy oval. This is now in a water catchment area and has restrictions. No swimming, fishing or animals. Camping is prohibited from the end of Easter till November 1. DEC (CALM) rangers patrol the area checking for camping fees daily. These are to be paid at Lake Brockman Caravan Park.

Thing to See and Do

Logue Brook Dam – Lake Brockman is situated on Logue Brook Dam Road off South West Highway, 4kms south of Yarloop set amidst the Jarrah forest of the Darling Range, the pristine waters of Lake Brockman are popular with water-sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. Enjoy a swim, take out a canoe or go water-skiing. Try your luck for marron or trout (In season and with permit). Picnic sites are located in the Jarrah forest surrounding the dam and a scenic drive runs around the rim of the reservoir. Boats can be launched on the southern shore.

Walking:
Walk a section of the Bibbulmun Track, sign-posted as the Kangaroo Walk Trail circuit (yellow markers), on the northern side of the dam.

YARLOOP GAZEBO & STATUES

YARLOOP PLAYGROUND & CONCRETE SOFA

The Yarloop Playground & Concrete Sofa is in a great location by the Yarloop Steam Workshops. The playground offers activities for children and one of the ‘Concrete Sofa’ collections set under a huge Morton Bay Fig tree that is also a wonderful sight to see.

HOFFMAN ROAD LOOKOUT

Hoffman Road, off South West Highway Be inspired by sweeping views across the town of Yarloop and to the Indian Ocean. Don’t forget your camera!

YARLOOP STEAM WORKSHOPS MUSEUM

Railway Parade/Barrington-Knight Road,
Yarloop Ph (08) 9733 5368. Fax 9733 5214.
Entry Fees: Adults $8, Child U/18 $5, Family $20, Live Steam Day – Adults $10, Child U/18 $7, Families $30.

Step back in time at the unique Yarloop Steam Workshops. The workshops were established in the early 1900s to service the needs of timber mills located throughout the South West forests. Be fascinated by the saw doctor’s shop, steam locomotives and steam generators, the vast and haunting main workshop and the treasure trove that is the patternmaker’s shop. A craft shop and café are located on site. Guided tours on steam days. Bookings essential for tours any other day. The Yarloop Steam Workshops is also part of the Working Life Heritage Trail.

HISTORICAL STEAM BOILERS

In September 2006, two Historical Steam Boilers were placed on the corner of the South Western Highway and Johnson Road in Yarloop to attract attention to the town and its historic workshops.

The 19-tonne boilers were put in place using two cranes and two low loaders along with support from the local police, the fire brigade and local businesses. The boiler’s holes were sealed then painted. Rusty surfaces and holes have also been made safe by welding plates over them.

The boilers will be a lasting impression of a town that was the centre of the timber industry in Western Australia at the end of the Victorian Steam Age ere.

YARLOOP HERITAGE TRAIL

Stroll along this 2.5km walk through the town centre and discover the true heritage of Yarloop. Highlights include the Yarloop Workshops Museum and Replica Store, Timber Mill Cottages, St. Joseph’s Church, Yarloop Hospital, War Memorial, “Happy Valley” Single Men’s Quarters and All Saints Church. Guidebooks are available from the Yarloop Workshops.

YARLOOP BOWLING CLUB

Teasdale Street Phone (08) 9733 5279
Call in for a friendly game of bowls or darts with the locals, or just mingle at the bar. You will be made to feel most welcome. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to join a local BBQ or party!

HOFFMAN MILL PICNIC SITE

Hoffman Mill Picnic and campsite, approximately 13kms east of Logue Brook Dam Visit the site of this old timber milling town. Camping for that perfect peaceful getaway.  Visit the historic town of Yarloop is a gem for lovers of all things rustic!

HERITAGE COUNCIL DATABASE- YARLOOP 

All Saints Anglican Church (1204)
Barratt Homestead (fmr)(12006)
Blacksmith’s Shop (fmr), Yarloop (18477) 

See History for more information regarding Harvey history.