Harvey at dusk

Harvey WA 6220 (Pop 3 200)

Harvey is a scenic rural service town in WA’s South West region surrounded by orchards, wineries and sheep and cattle country. Located 150 km south of Perth, Harvey sits on the Harvey River and is bordered by the stunning Darling Ranges. Major Harvey was the first European to explore and survey the area in 1834 with settlers moving in from 1860s. Harvey Weir, WA’s first irrigation system (1916), ensured the district’s agricultural prosperity and together with Stirling Dam, meets the area’s water needs. The local timber industry also contributes significantly to the town’s economy. Harvey markets last Sun each month. Harvest Festival (Mar), Spring Fair (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Harvey Museum, Harper St housed within the old railway station with historic artefacts and memorabilia. Open (2pm-4pm) Sun. Internment Camp Memorial Shrine, South Western Hwy built by prisoners of war in 1940s which is the world’s only roadside shrine of its kind. Key at Visitor Information Centre.

Nearby: 
Harvey Dam (3 km east) pretty landscaped park with a viewing platform, amphitheatre, gazebos and recreational facilities. Popular for bushwalking, canoeing, birdwatching and fishing (with permit in season). Stirling Dam (12 km east) beautiful flora & fauna, bush walks and day trip recreational sites. Fishing and marroning not permitted. White Rocks Museum & Dairy (15 km south) (1887) historic machinery displays and modern technology side by side. Open (2pm-4pm). Logue Brook Dam (15 km n-e) many water activities and horseriding. Beaches include Myalup (21 km west) for swimming, surfing and beach fishing and Binningup (25 km s-w) for sheltered swimming, boating, beach fishing and snorkeling. Wineries in the area include Myalup Vines, Idlewild, Jm Lowe Farmer.

Accommodation:
Harvey has a couple of hotel/motels, a farmstay and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: James Stirling Pl. Tel (08) 9729 1122

Airports:
Busselton Regional Airport (BQB), Vasse Hwy, Yalyalup. Tel (08) 9781 0444. (87 km s-w); Perth Airport (PER), 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport. Tel (08) 9478 8888. (143 km north).

Hospital:
South West Health Campus, cnr Bussell Hwy & Robertson Dr, Bunbury. Tel (08) 9722 1000. (49 km s-w).