Greenbushes is a historic timber and mining town located between Balingup and Bridgetown in the Blackwood River Valley. The town was named for the unusual "green bushes" surrounding a well that was frequented in the late 1880s by thirsty travellers journeying south from Bunbury.
The town got its start when an influx of prospectors arrived after the discovery of a pound of tin in a creek in 1888, resulting in three town sites, two of which still stand. Today, the town’s main industry is mining, particularly lithium and tantalum. The Public Mine Lookout gives a birds-eye-view into the Cornwall Pit where tantalum ore was extracted in open cut mining until 2003. Open daily, the lookout provides one of the few opportunities in Western Australia for the public to view an operational mine site. Wheelchair and disabled access is provided at the lookout.
The Discovery Centre provides more information about the town’s history, including interactive displays and a mine walk. Greenbushes is situated at 324 metres above sea level, the highest point of the Darling scarp.
Top things to see and do in Greenbushes
- Visit the Greenbushes Pool and Boardwalk. The spring-fed natural pool has a picnic area, barbecue facilities and a boardwalk with signposted walks. Take time to explore the conservation area adjacent, where you may even spot wildlife in the nesting boxes along the walk trails.
- Take the Heritage Amble walk along Blackwood Road, where you’ll learn about the towns history through fictional characters. Booklets are available from the Discovery Centre.
- Take one of the well signposted trails around Greenbushes that adjoin the Bibbulumun Track. Various trails take in waterways, pools and old-growth forest.
- Visit the Greenbushes Community Garden, which is located at the town square and is a thriving collection of community-managed vegetable plots, fruit trees and a bee/bug hotel. Regular workshops and morning teas are held on site.
- Visit during the Greenbushes Winter Festival Weekend, held annually on the first weekend of Augusta as part of the Bridgetown in the Winter Festival. It includes many community-run activities including a dance and a guided wattle and orchid walk.