Waroona
Town in the heart of a mixed farming area south of Perth
Located 112 km south of Perth, Waroona is in the centre of a dairy farming, forestry and potato growing area. It is a small and pleasant town noted for the outdoor activities such as water skiing on the nearby Waroona Dam, trout and marron (fresh water crayfish) fishing, swimming and bushwalking.

The Waroona area was first explored by Europeans in the 1840s. On Drakesbrook weir, 5 km south of Waroona, there is a plaque which recalls that ŒAlong this valley of Drakesbrook on November 3, 1842, passed John Gilbert, Pioneer ornithologist of W.A., & James Drummond, Colonial Botanist, on an expedition from Perth to Augusta & near this spot on that day they discovered the first known specimen of WAıs remarkable Atrichornis clamosus, a sweet voiced bird of the scrub, which has since been rarely seen.ı The bird in question was the scrub bird.

The Waroona area wasnıt opened up to major settlement until 1871 when John Fouracre purchased land which was divided into smaller homestead settlement units. The arrival of the railway line in 1899 allowed for a rapid increase in the local population and by 1902 there were over 1000 timber workers and their families in the area.

There is some dispute about the origins of the town. Some sources claim that it was originally known as Drakesbrook and changed to Waroona in 1899 with the arrival of the railway line. While the Australian Encyclopaedia claims that the town grew up around a railway siding called McDowell Siding.

Things to see:  

Vision Splendid Gardens
While the attractions in the town are limited the Vision Splendid Gardens in Parnell Street are an ideal picnic spot. The Gardens boast more than 50 000 annuals as well as thousands of trees and shrubs. Novelties in the Gardens include a miniature Sydney Harbour Bridge, an Italian Grotto and a huge glasshouse where begonias and exotics are grown.

Yalgorup National Park
To the west of the town is Yalgorup National Park which takes in coastal woodland as well as Lakes Preston and Clifton. The park is noted for its stands of Tuart, Peppermint and Orange Wattle, Jarrah and Marri. As well the fauna in the park includes emus, brush wallabies and Western Grey kangaroos. The lakes are home to a rich variety of birdlife most notably black swans and ducks, maned geese, teal and mountain duck.

Beyond the National Park is Preston Beach, an isolated beach noted for its fishing. It is possible to drive 4WD vehicles onto the beach. Catches in the area include skippy, whiting, tailor, herring, salmon (in season) and bream.

	Tourist Information
	Waroona Tourist Information Centre South Western Hwy P.O. Box 283 Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1506
	Motels
	Drakesbrook Motel/Hotel 342 South Western Hwy Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1566 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Waroona Hotel Fouracre St Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1232
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Drakesbrook Guest House 111 South Western Hwy Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1245 Rating: ***
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Nanga Dell Farm Cottage Kyabram Rd Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9538 1035 Rating: **
	Caravan Parks
	Lake Navarino Forest Retreat Inverell Rd Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 2106 Rating: ***
	Waroona Caravan Village 311 Logue St Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1518 Rating: **
	Waroona Dam Caravan Park Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1529
	Camping & Other
	Forest Edge Recreation Camp Weller Rd Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1731 Facsimile: (08) 9733 2171
	Restaurants
	Drakesbrook Motel/Hotel Restaurant 342 South Western Hwy Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1566
	Lake Navarino Restaurant & Kiosk Waroona Dam Waroona WA 6215 Telephone: (08) 9733 1709