Nannup, Western Australia

Nannup Western Australia
Population:	501 (2006 Census)[1]
Established:	1889
Postcode:	6275
Elevation:	130 m (427 ft)
Location:	281 km (175 mi) from Perth 71 km (44 mi) from Busselton 73 km (45 mi) from Pemberton 45 km (28 mi) from Bridgetown 110 km (68 mi) from Margaret River
LGA:	Shire of Nannup
State District:	Blackwood-Stirling
Federal Division:	Forrest
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 22.4 °C 72 °F 8.6 °C 47 °F 944.8 mm 37.2 in

Coordinates: 33°58′55″S 115°45′54″E / 33.982°S 115.765°E / -33.982; 115.765

Nannup is a town and shire in the South West region of Western Australia, approximately 280 kilometres (174 mi) south of Perth on the Blackwood River at the crossroads of Vasse Highway and Brockman Highway, linking Nannup to most of the Lower South West's regional centres. At the 2006 census, Nannup had a population of 501.^[1]

History

Nannup's name is of Noongar Aboriginal origin, meaning either "stopping place" or "place of parrots", and was first recorded by surveyors in the 1860s. The area was initially known as "Lower Blackwood", and was first explored by Thomas Turner in 1834. In 1866, a bridge was built over the river and a police station was established. A townsite was set aside in 1885, surveyed in 1889 and gazetted on 9 January 1890.^[2] In 1906, a primary school and shire office were built, and in 1909, a railway (no longer in operation) was built from jarrah wood, linking to the South Western Railway and allowing the export of Nannup timber.

Present day

Nannup is the only town within the Shire of Nannup, and has a district high school (1961), telecentre, shire offices, roadhouse, a sporting complex, shopping facilities, accommodation for travellers (hotel/motel, B&Bs, caravan park), police station, three cafes, a hardware store, community centre, golf club and golf course, nursery and a gemstone museum. The main street has changed little over the years so has considerable heritage value.

The town population is about 600, with 1200 in the Shire of Nannup.

Economy

Timber milling and agriculture (principally beef cattle) dominate the local economy although wine, floriculture and tourism are industries of growing importance. Furniture production and other local timber value-adding activities are also a minor employer.

Events and festivals

Since the beginnings of the tourist industry in Nannup there have been several events and festivals held to promote the town. These include the week-long Flower and Garden Festival held in August each year and the weekend Rose Festival in November. The largest of Nannup's annual festivals is the Nannup Music Festival (formerly the Southwest Folk Festival) held over the Labour Day long weekend in March each year and includes street performance and market stalls as well as a variety of musical performances.

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  Panorama of main street in June 2007

• 

  Panorama of main street in June 2007

See also

• Shire of Nannup

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Nannup (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL520200&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 19 July 2011. 
2. ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+country+town+names. Retrieved 2007-04-17. 

External links

• Shire of Nannup
• Nannup Music Festival