Donnelly River Village provides a valuable insight into a closed chapter in WA's history; a time in the 50’s and 60’s when the timber industry was thriving and hardworking men were encouraged with the promise of free beer to cut as many straight, karri logs as possible.
whistling down the years
The whistle of steam locomotives, thwacking of axes and whining of saws are now a dim echo. Kangaroos and emus parade the mill town streets and the forest rings once more with birdsong._JPG)
tree transitions
From Karri Gully on the Brockman Highway, the old Willow Bridge rail formation provides a very pleasant route along the Bibbulmun Track through the heart of the forest. There is a distinctive north to south transition from jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) through yarri (blackbutt - E. patens) to karri (E. diversicolor). These tree species are found only in WA.
Sometimes growing to 90m, karri is the third tallest tree in the world. Its smooth bark is shed in early autumn, leaving multi-coloured streaks varying in shade across the seasons from pink and orange through to grey and white.
Just north of Donnelly River Village, a massive karri was specially cut in 1958 and sent up to Perth to be displayed at Kings Park. It is still a feature of the park.
off the rails
Timber railways, such as the one heading south from the old Willow Springs mill site, once criss-crossed the forest. They frequently follow watercourses and their gentle gradients make ideal walk trails.
down along the valley
_JPG)
From 'Twin Bridges' south of the Village, the Donnelly River becomes a constant companion for those walking south. Tom Road is the only campsite retained from the original 1970's alignment of the Track and overlooks a permanent pool in the river amongst granite boulders and massive karri.
As the Donnelly River meanders towards the coast, the Bibbulmun Track wends its way through the river valley. It provides challenging walking, riverside campsites with restful swimming holes and some of the best old-growth karri forest in the southwest.
See more photos from this section.
See information about Donnelly River Village.