Walpole, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WalpoleWestern Australia |
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 Walpole
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1933 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6398 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Manjimup | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warren-Blackwood | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor | ||||||||||||||
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Walpole is a small town in the south-western part of Western Australia. It is about 430 kilometers (267 miles) south-east of Perth. The town is also 66 kilometers (41 miles) west of Denmark.
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Where is Walpole Located?
Walpole is very close to the northern end of the Walpole Inlet. The town gets its name from this inlet. The inlet itself is named after the Walpole River.
How Walpole Got Its Name
Captain Thomas Bannister discovered the Walpole River in 1831. Governor Stirling later named it after Captain W. Walpole. Governor Stirling and Captain Walpole had served together on a ship called HMS Warspite in 1808.
Early Settlers and Growth
The first European settlers in the Walpole area were Pierre Bellanger and his family. They arrived in 1909. They traveled by boat from Albany to settle on a large piece of land.
In 1910, land in Walpole was set aside for a national park. This made the area a popular spot for holidays. More development happened in the 1930s. This was part of a plan to settle more people on the land.
The railway reached nearby Nornalup in 1929. The town site of Walpole was officially created in 1933.
Why the Name Changed (and Changed Back!)
Walpole was always the preferred name for the town. However, people thought another town in Tasmania already used the name. So, the new town was officially called Nornalup.
This caused confusion because a railway station 13 kilometers (8 miles) east was also called Nornalup. Later, the Post Office found out there was no Walpole in Tasmania. In 1934, the town went back to its original name, Walpole.
Things to See and Do in Walpole
Walpole is one of the few towns that the Bibbulmun Track passes through. This is a very long walking trail.
The area is famous for its huge, old trees. These include giant tingle trees and karri trees. Another popular attraction is the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. This walk is located in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.
