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Ravensthorpe WA 6346 (Pop 380)
Pic: by Gnangarra

Ravensthorpe is a Golden Outback wheat and sheep service town surrounded by the Ravensthorpe Range and located 554 km s-e of Perth. Early gold discoveries (1898) saw the town’s population explode for a short time followed by copper mining in 1960s which lasted just over a decade. Art & Craft Exhibtion (July/Aug), Wildflower Show (Sept), Wool & Show Day (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Ravensthorpe includes Cocanarup Homestead (1868), Palace Hotel (1907). Ravensthorpe Historical Society Museum, Morgans St housed within Dance Cottage with neighbouring original gaol and rail van. Rangeview Park, Morgans St pleasant recreation area with various local plant species.

Nearby:
Government Smelter (2 km s-e) (1906-18) copper and gold smelting remains and old equipment. Ravensthorpe Range Lookouts include Archer Drive (3 km north), Mt Desmond (17 km s-e). Hopetown (49 km south) small seaside village with many watersporting activities. Fitzgerald River NP (s-w) covers almost 243 000 ha and protects 20% of the state’s plant species and a number of endangered native animals. The diverse landscape consists of the Barrens - a series of coastal hills, dramatic gorges & spongelite cliffs along the Hamersley and Fitzgerald Rivers. Popular activities include walking, camping, fishing & canoeing. Whale watching (Aug-Nov). Scenic Drives include Hamersley Heritage Trail, Ethel Daw, Mt Madden, Mt Short. Frank Hann NP (100 km north) remote 60 000 ha park of heath, scrub and moorland ideal for hiking. Fabulous wildflower displays (Aug-Nov) but no facilities.  

Accommodation:
Ravensthorpe has a couple of hotel/motels, farmstay cottage and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Morgans St. Tel (08) 9838 1277.

Airport:
Ravensthorpe Airport (RVT), Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Rd. (31 km south).

Hospital:
Ravensthorpe Health Care, Martin St. Tel (08) 9838 2211.