Bremer Bay, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bremer Bay Western Australia
View of Bremer Bay
Bremer Bay Location in Western Australia
Postcode(s)	6338
Elevation	27 m (89 ft)
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	515 km (320 mi) SE of Perth 180 km (112 mi) ENE of Albany
LGA(s)	Shire of Jerramungup
State electorate(s)	Roe
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 20.7 °C 69 °F 9.5 °C 49 °F 606.5 mm 23.9 in
Localities around Bremer Bay: Gairdner Gairdner Fitzgerald River NP Boxwood Hill Bremer Bay Fitzgerald River NP Southern Ocean

Bremer Bay is a small town on the coast in Western Australia. It's part of the Shire of Jerramungup and is located in the Great Southern region. You can find it on the south coast, between the cities of Albany and Esperance. The town sits right where the Bremer River meets the ocean.

Bremer Bay is about 515 kilometers (320 miles) southeast of Perth, which is the capital city of Western Australia. It's also about 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Albany. This area is the traditional land of the Southern Noongar people, also known as the Koreng people, who are part of the larger Noongar nation.

Who Lives in Bremer Bay?

Bremer Bay is a small community. In 2016, about 231 people lived there all year round. However, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the town gets much busier. Its population can grow to almost 6,500 people as visitors come to enjoy the area.

How Bremer Bay Got Its Name

Recreational beach fishing at Dillon Bay, near Bremer Bay.

The bay was named in 1831 by John Septimus Roe. He was a captain on a ship called HMS Tamar. He named it after Sir Gordon Bremer, who was a naval officer.

The first European settlers arrived in this area in the 1850s. The very first home, called the Wellstead homestead, was built in 1861.

Originally, the town was known as Wellstead. But in 1951, local people asked for the name to be changed to Bremer Bay. This change was officially approved in 1962.

In 2012, a large bushfire threatened Bremer Bay for five days. It started when lightning struck some plants outside of town. The fire burned through nearly 10,000 hectares (about 24,700 acres) of farmland and natural bush. It took 120 firefighters to put out the fire.

Bremer Bay Telegraph Station: A Look Back

In 1874, Bremer Bay was chosen as an important spot for the East-West Telegraph Line. This line connected Perth to Adelaide, going through a place called Eucla. The first telegraph station was built in 1875. It was a small wooden building with a shingle roof.

These telegraph stations along the East-West Line had a Station Master, an assistant, and linesmen. Often, Aboriginal workers also helped. Some important people who worked at the Bremer Bay station include:

• Mary Wellstead (1850–1894): She was trained in telegraphy and worked as the telegraph operator at Bremer Bay from 1875 to 1877. She continued as an assistant until 1881.
• George Philip Stevens (around 1861–1941): Known as GPS, he arrived in Bremer Bay in late 1877. He later became the Station Master at the Eucla Telegraph Station and then managed all telegraphy in Western Australia.

The original station was replaced in 1896 with a larger stone building. This new building was designed by George Temple-Poole.

The old repeater station is still standing today. Since 1986, it has been listed on the Register of the National Estate, which means it's an important historical site. Today, it's used as a café and bakery.

Things to Do in Bremer Bay

Bremer Bay is famous for its beautiful beaches. The main beach is just a short walk from the town center. If you like boating, there's a marina at Fishery Beach with full facilities.

Off the coast, you'll find the Bremer Marine Park. This is a special area in the ocean that helps protect marine life. The town gets its electricity from a special system that combines wind power and diesel generators.