Dwellingup is situated in a timber and fruit-growing district east of Pinjarra, and can be found on Bibbulmun Track map 2 - Dwellingup. It has a population of around 400, and the name is derived from the Nyoongar word for "place of nearby water".
The town was established as a timber milling settlement, late in the 19th century. Most of the bush railways that served the old sawmills are gone, but a steam train still operates on the line between Dwellingup and Etmylin. In its early days, Dwellingup was a busy town, with a hotel so popular it was common for a thirsty latecomer to be unable to get into the bar! Sadly, almost all of the original buildings, with the exception of the post office, hotel and nursing post, were destroyed in the catastrophic bushfire of 1961.
In January 2007, Dwellingup was once again declared a natural disaster area when a massive bushfire, the biggest since 1961, destroyed several homes and businesses when it came within 1km of the town. The State Government also declared a bushfire emergency period while other fires around the state stretched emergency services. The Dwellingup fire burnt more that 13,700 ha with a perimeter of 100km and was suspected to have been deliberately lit. All power and communications to the town were cut and many roads were inaccessible for quite some time. Although several recreation sites were destroyed, the Bibbulmun Track escaped untouched.
Handy contacts
Getting there
Dwellingup is located 113km south of Perth, a drive of approximately one and a half hours from Perth city centre. From the city, travel south on the South Western Highway to North Dandalup and turn left on Del Park Road. Dwellingup is a further 25kms.
Dwellingup is located 96km south of Kalamunda, a drive of one hour and 20 minutes.
The next Track town south of Dwellingup is Collie, a drive of 89km, which takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
There is no public transport to Dwellingup. Trains go from Perth City railway station to Pinjarra, which is the nearest train station to Dwellingup, situated 27km away along the Pinjarra-Williams Road.
The Hotham Valley Tourist train travels from Pinjarra to Dwellingup from May to October. Contact the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway on 9221 4444 for more information. Alternatively Pinjarra offers taxi and bus charter services. NB: the Dwellingup fire of January 2007 burnt out several rail bridges and at this time, the Pinjarra to Dwellingup rail service is