Wokalup, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wokalup Western Australia
The Wokalup Tavern in January 2023
Wokalup Location in Western Australia
Postcode(s)	6221
Area	[convert: needs a number]
Location	146 km (91 mi) from Perth 6 km (4 mi) from Harvey
LGA(s)	Shire of Harvey
State electorate(s)	Murray-Wellington
Federal Division(s)	Forrest

Wokalup is a small town in the South West part of Western Australia. It is located along the South Western Highway, between the towns of Harvey and Brunswick Junction. In 2006, about 449 people lived in Wokalup.

The town's name comes from an Aboriginal word, "wokul." This word means "the place of the carpet snake." Before irrigation started, carpet snakes were often seen in farm sheds. Later, tiger snakes became more common in the area.

History of Wokalup

The land where Wokalup now stands was first given to an owner in 1830. However, the owner did not develop the land, so the ownership ended. In the 1840s, a company called the Western Australian Company took over the land.

Early Settlers and Roads

The first person to live and farm in the area was Thomas Hayward. He started farming south of Harvey in 1859. At that time, there were no proper roads or bridges. During the 1860s, bridges were built over the Harvey and Brunswick rivers. Convicts also helped build a road from Pinjarra to Brunswick. Thomas Hayward helped provide supplies for the convicts and their horse teams.

How the Town Grew

In the 1890s, a railway line was built through the area. A railway stop, or siding, was opened and named Wokalup. A small private town then began to grow around this siding. In 1963, the local government, the Shire of Harvey, asked for Wokalup to be officially recognized as a town.

Wokalup Today

Today, Wokalup is a small town focused on farming. Most services, like shops and bigger facilities, are found in nearby Harvey. There was once a deer park in Wokalup. This park is now being turned into a place for making cheese and a tourist spot. This is a good location for it, as the area around Harvey and Brunswick is known for its dairy farms. The town also has a tavern and basic places to stay for visitors.

Wokalup's Climate

Wokalup has a climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most of the rain falls between May and August. The sunniest months are from November to February.