Brunswick Junction, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brunswick Junction Western Australia
Peters Creameries building
Brunswick Junction Location in Western Australia
Established	1898
Postcode(s)	6224
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	161 km (100 mi) from Perth 26 km (16 mi) from Bunbury 21 km (13 mi) from Harvey
LGA(s)	Shire of Harvey
State electorate(s)	Murray-Wellington
Federal Division(s)	Forrest

Brunswick Junction is a small town in the South West region of Western Australia. It is located along the South Western Highway, between the towns of Harvey and Bunbury. In 2016, about 772 people lived in Brunswick Junction.

History of Brunswick Junction

The original Aboriginal name for the Brunswick area is Mue-De-La.

How Brunswick Got Its Name

The Brunswick River runs just north of the town. It was explored by John Septimus Roe in 1830. The river was likely named by Governor Stirling after the Duke of Brunswick. Stirling was in charge of a ship in 1813 that took the Duke of Brunswick to Holland.

First Farms and Railway

The first farm in the area, called "Alverstoke," started in 1842. It was owned by Marshall Waller Clifton. Within a few years, the farm was growing wheat, barley, and potatoes. A bridge was built over the Brunswick River at Australind. This made it easier for settlers to reach the main community in the Harvey District.

In 1893, the railway line connecting Perth and Bunbury was finished. At that time, no one lived in the exact spot where the town is now. However, a group called the Brunswick Farmers' Association was formed. A post office and a school were already operating nearby. In 1898, a new railway junction was opened south of the river. This was when the railway line to Collie began. A railway station was built at this junction.

In 1898, the town had a population of 68 people.

Town Upgrades

In 2011, the town's centre got a big upgrade. This project cost about $380,000. It included a playground with a dairy theme, new landscaping, and underground power lines.

Brunswick Junction Today

Today, Brunswick Junction is mostly known for its dairying industry. A large Friesian cow statue, nicknamed Daisy, stands in a park in the town centre. This statue shows how important dairy farming is to the area. Peters Creameries, a company in town, makes milk products and cheese using milk from nearby dairy farms.

The town also has several old buildings. These include the shire hall, Catholic and Anglican churches, and old railway cottages. The nearby Beela Valley offers a scenic drive. This drive goes through farming areas east of the town and into the Mornington forests.

Brunswick Agricultural Show

The Brunswick Agricultural Show is one of the biggest shows in regional Australia. More than 15,000 people visit it every October. The show features a fashion parade, trade exhibits, arts and crafts, and beautiful flowers.

Transport in Brunswick Junction

Brunswick Junction is located on the South Western Highway. It is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) north-east of Bunbury. In town, the highway is called Ommaney Road. Brunswick Junction is also connected by road to Australind to the west, via Clifton Road.

Railway Connections

The town is a stop for the Australind passenger train. This train travels from Perth to Bunbury on the South Western Railway.

Brunswick Junction is also an important railway junction. It connects to the railway line that goes to Collie. In the past, other railway lines extended further east from Collie.

Preceding station	Transwa			Following station
Harvey towards Perth		Australind		Bunbury Terminus