Australia So Much to See
Greenbushes, Western Australia - restoration and conservation
Our final stop was at Shwenke’s Dam. A talk by Koomal Dreaming and Cape Cultural Tours principal Josh Whiteland, known
as Koomal, showed local bush tucker, as well as wooden tools made by traditional Aboriginal methods. Koomal is the Aboriginal
name for the South West Brushtail Possum, a subspecies which is threatened due to loss of habitat and predation by feral animals such
as foxes.
Conservationists from the Blackwood Basin Group have worked with the mining companies to create a wetland area suitable for waterbirds,
some of which are threatened species due to habitat loss. As wading birds required shallow water, the open cuts with steep
sides would not work, so one dam was made into a wetland by filling the edges with soil, and planting reeds in the shallow waters
created. This wetland and recreational area has been named Shwenke’s Dam, after the mine manager when it was commenced. Blackwood Basin Group Chairman Per Christensen talked about the dam and the waterfowl recovery. 400,000 birds across 38 species
have been observed at the dam, and 1,000 different insect species, including many aquatic species, have been seen. Fish (Australian
native and a non-native species) as a major source of food for the visiting birds have also thrived in the wetland. Two species of
native crayfish, a shrimp species and a native turtle species have also been seen.
Environmental staff from
Talison explained rehabilitation works undertake to restore the natural environment after mining.
The inundation of past
open cut mines has created some 24 water bodies varying in size from one to 20 hectares.
Where to stay?
For caravanners and campers there are plenty of options.
Maranup Ford Caravan Park is a small
family owned park by the Blackwood River in a rural setting in a lovely shady grove. They offer a fully serviced caravan and
camping area, a lodge, a cabin and bed and breakfast accommodation options. Genuine friendly country hospitality. Thirteen kilometres from Greenbushes. Pets permitted with usual conditions.
Bridgetown Caravan Park is less than twenty
kilometres from Greenbushes and in a town which has a lot to offer tourists and travellers. This older style caravan park overlooks
the Blackwood River and has good reports from visitors. There is a little noise of road traffic passing on the hill, but is
usually quiet for most of the night. Pets permitted with usual conditions.
Free camping is available
at three sites.
Although it has little to offer, some caravanners and motorhomers still utilise a grassed area known aGreenbushes Rest Area, alongside the South West Highway at the corner of Blackwood Road (the northern entrance to Greenbushes). This used to be the designated camping area prior to the opening of the Sports Ground to campers.
Greenbushes Sports Ground,
accessed from the Blackwood Road entrance, has room for caravanners around the oval. Access to toilets and town water. Pets permitted, and generators used (with consideration for other campers).
Greenbushes Swimming Pool, a large waterhole
which has been improved as a swimming area and playground. This is in a bushland setting and accessed from Spring Gully Road. A small separate parking area has been set aside for campers, with a three day limit. Limited sites, and not suitable for big
rigs. Toilets and barbecues. Pets permitted with usual conditions.
Not camping?
Both the Shamrock
Hotel and the Exchange Hotel offer accommodation.
Blue Sky Retreat offers self catering accommodation in a restored farm house ten
kilometres from Greenbushes via Maranup Ford and Huitson Road. As a farm stay, they have activities with a variety of farm animals
for children. Pets permitted (conditions apply).
There are numerous accommodation venues, cottages and bed and breakfast
accommodation in Bridgetown, fifteen minutes’ drive from Greenbushes.