Preston Beach, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Preston BeachWestern Australia |
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Preston Beach welcome sign
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| Established | 1959 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6215 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Waroona | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Murray-Wellington | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest | ||||||||||||||
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Preston Beach is a small, quiet town in the Peel region of Western Australia. It's located right next to the beautiful Yalgorup National Park, between the cities of Mandurah and Bunbury. It's a great spot for nature lovers!
Contents
Discovering Preston Beach's Past
Early Explorers and Roads
In 1829, two explorers, Dr Alexander Collie and Lieutenant William Preston, were exploring the coastline. They found the areas that are now known as Lake Preston and Lake Clifton. Later, in the 1850s, the "Old Coast Road" was rebuilt. This happened after people who had been convicted of crimes were brought to the Swan River Colony to help with building projects.
How Preston Beach Got Its Name
The area around Preston Beach started to be developed in 1959. Two private land areas, "Preston Beach Estate" and "Lakeside Estate," were combined. The local government then officially named this new area "Yalgorup." This name comes from the Noongar language and means "place of waters or lakes."
The town was officially recognized in 1975. However, in 1989, the local council asked for the name to be changed to Preston Beach. This was because everyone in the area already called it Preston Beach. So, the name was officially changed to what it is today!
Life in Preston Beach Today
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Preston Beach is a small town with basic places to stay and things you might need. You can find a convenience store and a service station right in the middle of town. If you're driving through, there are also a couple of roadhouses about 4 kilometers away.
The beach itself is a great place to visit. It has showers, BBQ areas for cooking, and even play areas for kids. It's perfect for a fun day out with family and friends!
Exploring Yalgorup National Park
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The Yalgorup National Park was created in the 1970s. Its main purpose is to protect the special coastal lakes, swampy areas, and the unique tuart trees that grow here. This park is also very important for many different kinds of waterbirds that migrate through the area.
Amazing Thrombolites
At the edge of Lake Clifton, you can see some amazing rock-like structures called thrombolites. These are built by tiny living things called microorganisms. Scientists believe these thrombolites look a lot like the very first forms of life on Earth! It's thought that special fresh groundwater, rich in calcium, helps these structures grow here. There's a special walkway built so visitors can safely view these delicate and ancient formations.
Wildlife in Preston Beach
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Preston Beach is well-known for having lots of Western Grey Kangaroos. You can often spot them hopping around the area! Other marsupials, which are animals with pouches, that live here include the Common Brushtail Possum and the Bandicoot. It's a fantastic place to see Australian wildlife up close.
Getting to Preston Beach
The main road that goes through this area is the Old Coast Road. This road connects Mandurah to Bunbury. You can catch buses that travel between Perth and Bunbury. These buses are run by Transwa, which is part of the Public Transport Authority in Western Australia. The main road is about 4 kilometers away from the town center.
