A celebration of history, culture, creativity, and community – across ten unforgettable towns.
This autumn, step into the stories that shaped our region. The Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival is your invitation to rediscover the rich heritage, traditions, and creative spirit that continue to inspire life in the South West.
Held across ten unique towns — Balingup, Bridgetown, Donnybrook, Greenbushes, Boyup Brook, Nannup, Manjimup, Pemberton, Northcliffe, and Walpole — the festival showcases the diversity and heart of the Southern Forests & Valleys region through hands-on workshops, historic displays, heritage trails, re-enactments, art exhibitions, and more.
Whether you’re a local history buff, a curious traveler, or simply after a meaningful day out, this vibrant celebration offers something for everyone. Here are just some of the highlights to explore and add to your itinerary:
Balingup
Halls Heritage Tour – Step inside the stories of our region’s beloved community halls as they open their doors for a day of heritage, culture and connection.
Explore at your own pace or join a guided bus tour, with live entertainment, history, food and storytelling at every stop.
Balingup Small Farm Field Day – Celebrate 35 years of rural heritage with sheep dog trials, traditional farm skills, hands-on crafts and a rich Aboriginal cultural showcase of the Six Noongar Seasons.
Avenue of Honour – Planted in 1932, Balingup’s Avenue of Honour commemorates local World War I soldiers, its stately oaks standing as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Boyup Brook
Boyup Brook Classic Cars – A hidden gem in Boyup Brook, this private collection showcases classic cars, motorbikes, and caravans lovingly restored over more than 40 years. Set in a former dealership, it brings motoring history from the 1920s to 1970s to life.
Boyup Brook District Pioneers Museum – Discover Boyup Brook’s award-winning museum, home to early settler exhibits, farming history, and Australia’s only publicly accessible, fully preserved Masonic Lodge.
Terrific Teapots – Discover a delightful and quirky collection of over 5,000 teapots lovingly preserved by Ruth and Ray Gorman. Wander through displays from across the ages, spotting nostalgic pieces from childhood and treasures gathered from around the world.
Flax Mill Museum – The Flax Mill in Boyup Brook, established in 1941, played a vital role in wartime flax processing. Today, a replica mill display make it a fascinating stop for history enthusiasts.
Local History Sharing Event – Hear about the newly revised Wilga history book and fascinating memories of Boyup Brook from locals in a warm and welcome atmosphere at the Boyup Brook Community Resource Centre.
Bridgetown
Bridgetown Police Station & Orcharding Museum Open Day – Step back in time with free entry to the Bridgetown Police Station and Orcharding Museum, where engaging exhibits reveal the town’s rich history and early settlement stories.
Classic Car Show & Parade – See classic cars on display at Bridgetown’s River Park before they cruise through the main street and on to Greenbushes, returning to the Town Square carpark on Spencer Street from 11.30am, then displayed till 1.00pm.
Memoir Writing Workshop – Join author Sarah Evans for a creative writing session on using memory to enrich your storytelling, with practical tips for tackling memoir without getting lost in the details.
Vintage Movie Matinee: Lassie Come Home (1943) – Step back in time and enjoy a classic film experience in the historic Bridgetown Town Hall, where picture shows were screened from the 1910s onwards. As part of the Southern Forests and Valleys Heritage Festival, the Shire of Bridgetown–Greenbushes invites you to a free vintage movie matinee featuring Lassie Come Home (1943).
Anzac Heroes Talk – Joinlocal expert Richard Allen from the Bridgetown Historical Society in Memorial Park as he gives a talk about the Bridgetown men and women that served in the War.
Donnybrook
Halls Heritage Tour – Explore the stories of our region’s historic community halls on a vibrant day of culture, entertainment and heritage, with guided and self-drive options.
Policeman Way’s Museum – Explore Policeman’s Way, a unique collection of police memorabilia from around the world, curated by former WA Police Officer Larry Morgan, open for viewing by appointment during the Heritage Festival.
Donnybrook Historical Society Museum – Discover Donnybrook’s history through its dairy, beef, apple, gold and stone industries, with artefacts, local stories and a nostalgic matchbox collection.
Greenbushes
Ghost Walk (Anzac Theme) – Join Ada the friendly ghost of Greenbushes as she takes you for a stroll through the streets of Greenbushes.
Greenbushes Discovery Centre Open Day – Discover Greenbushes’ rich history at the Discovery Centre with free entry Sunday 26th April, featuring interactive displays on mining, timber milling, agriculture, and local community life.
Manjimup
Manjimup Dark Corners – As dusk falls, follow the Night-watchman’s lantern as ghostly figures emerge from the shadows to share their stories. Dark Corners uses projection mapping and augmented reality to bring history and its long-departed characters to life.
The Gaslight Age Exhibition – Step back into the late 19th century and discover how domestic “town gas” powered homes before electricity. This exhibition brings the era to life through authentic fittings, fixtures, and stories of the innovation that lit streets and warmed homes.
State Timber Museum & Reflections Room – Explore WA’s first major industry at the State Timber Museum in Manjimup, where tools, stories, and innovations reveal the timber industry’s history. The adjoining Reflections Room immerses visitors in the lives of the workers who shaped the Southern Forests.
Heritage Park Curator Talk – Join a guided tour of the Manjimup Heritage Park with our curator, departing from the foyer at 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the festival.
Visions of our Past Exhibition – Explore a stunning collection of historical Warren region photographs at the Manjimup Historical Society, capturing the area’s growth through the eyes of local photographers.
Historic School Plaque Bus Tour – Step back in time with the Manjimup Historical Society on a guided bus tour exploring historic school sites, including state registered buildings across the Manjimup district. Discover what school life was like for early settlers.
Nannup
Nannup Open-Air Museum – Stroll Nannup’s Main Street to explore heritage-inspired window displays, collect limited-edition postcards and discover local stories celebrating the town’s history and community spirit.
Discover Nannup’s Stories – Experience Nannup’s history through 20 local stories from the Oral History Project, accessible via QR codes in shop windows or with headphones at the Library and Historical Society.
Nannup Historical Society & Museum – Explore Nannup’s past at the Historical Society & Museum, home to over 3,000 photographs and memorabilia that bring the town’s history to life.
Nannup RSL Hall Tour – The RSL Hall will be open to the public, by appointment with volunteer-hosted tours. Explore a fascinating display of historical memorabilia.
Northcliffe
Northcliffe Pioneer Museum – Explore Northcliffe’s settler history at the Pioneer Museum, with original artefacts, the George Gardner exhibition, and the 1924 Robey Engine—all set beside Jubilee Park’s bush trails.
Understory Art & Nature Trail – Wander the award-winning Understory Art & Nature Trail in Northcliffe, an inspiring 1.2km forest walk featuring sculptures, songs, and stories by over 50 artists.
Northcliife Karri Cup MTB Challenge – Now in its 32nd year, the Karri Cup is a landmark mountain bike event in Northcliffe, celebrating decades of local sporting heritage.
Pemberton
Pemberton Hotel Centenary Celebration – Join us for a once-in-a-century celebration as we bring together locals, visitors, and friends for a truly memorable weekend. Enjoy a rich mix of storytelling, live music, great food, and fireside moments as we reflect on the past and toast to the next 100 years.
Pemberton Museum – Pemberton’s early settler history, from late 1800s pioneers to the 1920s Group Settlers who built a dairy industry amid harsh conditions, can be explored through displays and artefacts at the Pemberton Museum.
Pemberton Tramway – Board a historic tram for a scenic journey through towering forests, showcasing the region’s timber heritage with informative commentary.
Walpole
Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk – Experience the ancient red tingle forest from above on the breathtaking Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, a 40m-high journey through Gondwana-era canopy.
Giant Tingle Tree – Discover the Giant Tingle Tree, an ancient, fire-hollowed marvel, on an interpretive forest trail that reveals the resilience and rich stories of this unique ecosystem.
Walpole Library Local Heritage Display – Delve into Walpole’s unique local history through a curated display crafted by passionate librarians.
Swarbrick Art Loop – Discover Swarbrick, where towering karri trees, powerful conservation history, and striking art installations come together to tell the story of the Walpole Wilderness.
Heritage Trails
From town trails to ancient forest walks, explore trails that highlight the region’s heritage and natural landscapes
🗺️ Plan Your Heritage Adventure
From vintage treasures and creative workshops to heritage tours and classic displays, the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival brings together the region’s past and present to life in a uniquely immersive way.
Whether you’re exploring local museums, enjoying interactive workshops, taking scenic heritage walks, discovering stories from the region’s early settlers, or reconnecting with country across towns, there’s something to inspire, inform, and uplift everyone this year.
📖 View the full festival program and brochure on our website.
📍 Visit the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival page
Come for the stories. Stay for the experience.
Get ready to step into history and celebrate the heart of our region.
