Brookton
Quite peaceful Brookton
Being less than 100km from the Perth metropolitan area, Brookton is a comfortable one hour drive from Karragullen and residents enjoy the lifestyle benefits of outer metropolitan country living whilst retaining many creature comforts such as five commercial television stations and digital mobile telephone coverage. The Shire includes the localities of Kweda and Aldersyde and the township is well appointed with facilities, including 20 hectares of parks and gardens. The first settler and founder of the Brookton district, John Seabrook (1818-1891), moved to the area in 1846 soon after marrying, and named his property "Brookton House". He remained the only European in the area, aside from itinerant sandalwood cutters, until his stepson, A.W. Robinson, took up adjacent land in 1864. During the 1860s and 1870s, more settlers moved into the area, and took on sandalwood cutting (it sold for £9 per ton) as well as wheat and sheep farming. In June 1889, when the Great Southern Railway opened, Brookton was one of the original stations. The station proved to be the catalyst that created a centre for the isolated farms, and the government gazetted a townsite here in 1895 and named it "Seabrook" but local acceptance of the station name and confusion with another Seabrook near York resulted in the townsite's name being changed to Brookton in 1899. The town site attracted a few businesses and by 1903, the tiny settlement comprised a school, hotel, bank and a few shops. The Old Police Station Museum located in the town is the base of the local historical society and contains artifacts and memorabilia of the early settlement days
Things To See And Do
Brookton is the Gateway to the Central South, and is strategically located bisecting the Brookton and Great Southern Highways. Tourist traffic has increasing due to the $32m Brookton Highway development completed in 2001. 3km west of the townsite is a lookout where the entire town and the surrounding countryside can be viewed. Things to see and do around Brookton include:
Old Railway Station And Pioneer Park
The old railway station and Pioneer Park in the centre of town features picnic facilities, a wonderful water feature and an arts and craft store. Located off Ashfield Road 12 km south-east of Brookton. Best viewed in winter, the ruins of the old house and sheds were built from rock, natural clay and bush timber from his property in approximately 1900. Jack Hansen was of Danish descent and became known in the area as the `Animal Doctor`Nine Acre Rock is an ideal picnic ground in winter when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the view from this large expanse of rock is truly magnificent.
Nine Acre Rock & Jack Hansen Ruins
Located off Ashfield Road 12 km south-east of Brookton. Best viewed in winter, the ruins of the old house and sheds were built from rock, natural clay and bush timber from his property in approximately 1900. Jack Hansen was of Danish descent and became known in the area as the `Animal Doctor`. Nine Acre Rock is an ideal picnic ground in winter when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the view from this large expanse of rock is truly magnificent.
Brookton Museum & Heritage Centre
The collection reflects the "Changing Face of Brookton and Its Localities". The exhibitions include Grandma's "wash-house" and a horse drawn table top wagon that was payment for a block of land on which one of Brookton's hotels stands. Exhibitions are revamped periodically and tell stories of the people including the traditional owners, community organisations, businesses and services in the district. The archives are extensive and enquiries are always welcome. The Museum is open by appointment, phone 0427 334 051. Entry and research fees are available on application.
Boyagin Rock
Ten km south-west of Brookton is the Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve. Boyagin Rock is an imposing outcrop which has been cracked and pitted by weathering. Boyagin Rock is a place of great cultural significance to Nyoongar people, who call it Boogin. They believe that if you walk to the top of the rock without stopping you will live a long life. Boyagin provides a refuge for a variety of wildlife including numbats, goannas, echidnas and Tammar wallabies. Take a walk through the woodlands and listen for the ringing call of the grey currawong whilst you look for the native orchids and other rare plants that grow in the Reserve.
Town Lookout
Just 2km before reaching Brookton from Perth on the left side of the road (signposted). View the farming land, surrounding bushland and the townsite of Brookton.
Other Places Of Interest
Brookton is the Gateway to the Central South, and is strategically located bisecting the Brookton and Great Southern Highways. Tourist traffic has increasing due to the $32m Brookton Highway development completed in 2001. 3km west of the townsite is a lookout where the entire town and the surrounding countryside can be viewed. Things to see and do around Brookton include:
Old Railway Station And Pioneer Park
The old railway station and Pioneer Park in the centre of town features picnic facilities, a wonderful water feature and an arts and craft store. Located off Ashfield Road 12 km south-east of Brookton. Best viewed in winter, the ruins of the old house and sheds were built from rock, natural clay and bush timber from his property in approximately 1900. Jack Hansen was of Danish descent and became known in the area as the `Animal Doctor`Nine Acre Rock is an ideal picnic ground in winter when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the view from this large expanse of rock is truly magnificent.
Nine Acre Rock & Jack Hansen Ruins
Located off Ashfield Road 12 km south-east of Brookton. Best viewed in winter, the ruins of the old house and sheds were built from rock, natural clay and bush timber from his property in approximately 1900. Jack Hansen was of Danish descent and became known in the area as the `Animal Doctor`. Nine Acre Rock is an ideal picnic ground in winter when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the view from this large expanse of rock is truly magnificent.
Brookton Museum & Heritage Centre
The collection reflects the "Changing Face of Brookton and Its Localities". The exhibitions include Grandma's "wash-house" and a horse drawn table top wagon that was payment for a block of land on which one of Brookton's hotels stands. Exhibitions are revamped periodically and tell stories of the people including the traditional owners, community organisations, businesses and services in the district. The archives are extensive and enquiries are always welcome. The Museum is open by appointment, phone 0427 334 051. Entry and research fees are available on application.
Boyagin Rock
Ten km south-west of Brookton is the Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve. Boyagin Rock is an imposing outcrop which has been cracked and pitted by weathering. Boyagin Rock is a place of great cultural significance to Nyoongar people, who call it Boogin. They believe that if you walk to the top of the rock without stopping you will live a long life. Boyagin provides a refuge for a variety of wildlife including numbats, goannas, echidnas and Tammar wallabies. Take a walk through the woodlands and listen for the ringing call of the grey currawong whilst you look for the native orchids and other rare plants that grow in the Reserve.
Town Lookout
Just 2km before reaching Brookton from Perth on the left side of the road (signposted). View the farming land, surrounding bushland and the townsite of Brookton.
Other Places Of Interest
- Lions Park
- Memorial Park
- Playground at the sportsground
- Boyagarra Pool
- Kulyalling and Weam reserve
- Trail of Art walk trail
- Various old school sites (Touring map available from Brookton Museum & Heritage Centre)
Swimming Pool
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The old Brookton Railway Station
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Nine Acre Rock & Jack Hansen Ruins
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Town Links
The Lakes York Beverley Brookton Pingelly Popanyinning Cuballing Narrogin Highbury Wagin Woodanilling Katanning Broomehill/Tambellup Cranbrook
Accommodation Links
York Beverley Brookton Pingelly Cuballing Narrogin Wagin Woodanilling Katanning Broomehill/Tambellup Cranbrook
The Lakes York Beverley Brookton Pingelly Popanyinning Cuballing Narrogin Highbury Wagin Woodanilling Katanning Broomehill/Tambellup Cranbrook
Accommodation Links
York Beverley Brookton Pingelly Cuballing Narrogin Wagin Woodanilling Katanning Broomehill/Tambellup Cranbrook