Australind & Treendale
Historic Australind is a place to appreciate the fascinating history of the west coast of the Harvey Region. Hear about the shipwrecks, British-Indian horse breeders, Irish rebels, hippes and the Wardandi people that have lived in this stunning coastal area for 45,000 years.
One of Australia’s fastest-growing regional locations, Australind is virtually surrounded by water. With 14 kms of Estuary at its door, the Collie and Brunswick Rivers running through it, and untouched beaches only minutes away, there’s no better place than Australind for water lovers.
Established in 1840 and steeped in history, Australind is one of the earliest Western Australian settlements. The Western Australian Land Company purchased land in the area in 1840 hoping to breed horses for the British Indian Army. In an eccentric attempt to ensure the success of the enterprise they named the surveyed townsite with a name manufactured from Australia and India – hence Australind.
Prior to European settlement, the area was and remains the home of the Wardandi Noongar (Saltwater) people. The Elaap are Wardandi Noongar people who lived around the Leschenault Inlet and Estuary. Stories of the estuary, rivers and ecosystem explain the spirit, cultural lore, life and place of the traditional owners who follow the Six Seasons in harmony with their environment.
Treendale is a new and vibrant community, and the place to head for cafes, a shopping spree and one of Australia’s largest pubs. Australind and Treendale adjoin Eaton, Bunbury and Dalyellup to form the Greater Bunbury area with a population of nearly 80,000 people.
Top 10 Things To Do
1. Catch a Blue Manna Crab
If you like catching your food, over summer beautiful Blue Swimmer crabs are easily scooped up into a net in the Leschenault Estuary. The estuarine lagoon is nearly 14kms in length and 25km2. Blue Swimmer, or as locals call them, Blue Manna crabs can grow up to have a carapace up to 25 centimetres wide and a claw span up to 80 centimetres. (Note: fishing regulations apply). Once cooked, savour with a glass of local Harvey Region wine.
2. Walk the Leschenault Waterfront Historic Trail
The Leschenault Waterfront Historic Trail is a dual-use (walk and cycle) path that follows the Leschenault Estuary foreshore between Eaton and Australind. For a caffeine pick-me-up along the way, stop at Christina Street Reserve where you’ll find a very popular coffee van most mornings. Pure serenity to start your morning.
3. Spoil yourself with coffee & cake at Benesse Australind
The sister café of Benesse Bunbury, offering the rare combination of great coffee, food and service in a light and bright venue, Benesse Australind is one of Broadsheet’s favourite WA cafes. Instagrammers will love the communal, tiled centre table. From buttermilk waffles, green bowls and cider pork salads, to brekky burgers, they have the food spectrum covered. If you arrive for lunch, a must-try is their panko-crumbed red emperor with cucumber salad, citrus, wonton crisp, lime mayo and yuzu dressing. Still hungry, other local foodie favourites include Camille’s Deli Social and Asian Kitchen, both in Treendale.
4. Have watersport fun
The protected waters of the Leschenault Estuary are perfect for kayaking or SUP. When the winds up, kite surfers descend on Ridley Place Foreshore for some fast action water adventure. Those who love a bit more horse-power will find boat ramps at Ridley Place and nearby Eastwell Road.
On your water adventure please beware of our unique wildlife. The Estuary is home to more than 50 species of waterbirds and is a major breeding ground for Western Australian Black Swans.
5. Discover the Karragarup Play Space
Have kids in tow? Then Karragarup Play Space at the Ridley Place Foreshore, Australind is the place to visit. The Noongar word Karragarup translates as ‘place of the crabs’ and you can’t miss the crab in this playground! Kids can scramble over a balancing rope course, a crustacean discovery area, a mangrove tree maze and more.
6. Hike the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park
The Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park is minutes from Australind yet feels like you are miles from civilisation. Locals love this place, especially for hiking, fishing, beach 4WD and snorkelling. For hikers it offers the accessible John Boyle O’Reilly Wetland Trail (1km boardwalk), the Belvidere Interpretive Walk (1.5kms) or the challenging 9km Harris Track which extends from Belvidere to The Cut.
7. Seek natural serenity along the Australind River Trails
Find picturesque river trails starting at Collie River Bridge or Paris Road Bridge in Australind. From the Collie River Bridge at the Clifton Community Reserve walk the trail along the beautiful Collie River. At the Paris Road Bridge continue south along the Brunswick River, passing through the paperbark boardwalk.
8. Uncover our first settler pioneers
History buffs, did you know that Australind is one of the first settled areas in Western Australia and was founded by the Western Australian Land Company to breed horses in 1840? Delve into the past along the Australind Heritage Trail, including a visit to Henton Cottage, built in 1841 by William Dacres Williams as the “Prince of Wales Hotel” and now home to the Australind Artisans Collective.
9. Find fabulous art
When visiting Australind, don’t miss the Heart & Home Sculpture, a beautiful new public artwork by Nic and Alex Mickle of Safehaven Studios. The Ridley Place Foreshore sculpture represents our culture, history and connection to the environment and is one of seven signs installed at each entrance to Australind.
A visit to Featured Wood Gallery & Museum is a must visit too. Nestled in Treendale’s industrial area, Featured Wood is a surprising oasis of stunning quality timber artworks, furniture, showroom spaces, gallery and museum. The museum offers larger than life displays on Ned Kelly, Woodworking, Local Aboriginals, the Bunbury Jetty, American Indians, the US Civil War, and Gallipoli and WW2.
10. Finish with drinks
Check out the epic Treendale Farm Hotel. At 10,000 sqm, it’s massive with a spacious front bar plus an expansive family restaurant, including three separate outdoor terraced dining areas, and no less than three dedicated children’s play areas amid landscaped lawns.
This venue is a local favourite for all ages. and has medals to prove it, taking several awards at the 2021 AON Hospitality Awards for Excellence, including WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue.
In summer, the Treendale Farm hosts Sunday’s at #thefarm with live music and good vibes from 2pm onwards.
