Porongurup, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PorongurupWestern Australia |
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Roadside sign near Mount Barker
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 Porongurup
Location in Western Australia
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| Population | 370 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 6324 |
| Elevation | 269 m (883 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Plantagenet |
| State electorate(s) | Blackwood-Stirling |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Porongurup is a small village on the northern slopes of the mountain range in the Shire of Plantagenet in Western Australia. At the 2006 census, Porongurup had a population of 370.
The name is derived from the Aboriginal place-name, and consequently arrived with no spelling as such. A common alternate spelling is Porongorup and while some maps still show this spelling, state government signs around the town use "Porongurup", as does the promotion association for the region.
The mountain range includes Castle Rock, a popular climbing destination, and the Devils Slide.
History
On 11 February 2007, a fire began on private property near the north-west corner of the national park, around eight kilometres west of the Porongurup village. The fire spread along the rear boundaries of several properties and into the national park. Fire crews helped prevent the fire spreading to nearby housing throughout Sunday night but on Monday afternoon (12 February) it jumped Porongurup-Mt Barker Road and spread into private property to the north-east of the village centre. One private residence and a number of farm sheds and buildings were destroyed and other buildings seriously damaged in the fire. Fire crews, including aerial support from six water bomber planes, battled the blaze and by Tuesday morning it was effectively under control. By Wednesday morning (14 February) the fire had burnt through around 95% of the national park and several farms and wineries showed the scars of the fire.
It was reportedly the most devastating fire in the region since the 1960s. Less than a week after the fire began, a committee was formed to take charge of remedial work in the community and in a show of resilience, local wineries still held their annual wine festival a few weeks later. Despite the national park remaining closed to visitors, the annual Art in the Park exhibition was allowed to go ahead in early April.
Sections of the park, including the Castle Rock walk trail and the Tree in The Rock picnic area, were reopened to the general public in September 2007.
