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
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.
Golden Valley Tree Park – Wander WA’s largest arboretum across 60 hectares and six stunning self-guided trails.
Road Board Display – Step back in time and explore the origins of local governance in Balingup with a special heritage display on the Balingup Road Board, presented in the very building that once housed its office.
Boyup Brook
Stories of Boyup Brook – Local Author Afternoon – Hear local authors share stories from Boyup Brook’s past and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of conversation, memories, and complimentary tea.
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.
Heritage Walk Trail – Follow the Boyup Brook Heritage Trail at your own pace, with a free brochure and afternoon tea from the Visitor Centre — and friendly local advice to help you on your way.
Bridgetown
Anna Salen Immigrant Story – Discover the stories of nearly 8,000 Eastern European refugees who arrived on the Anna Salen and helped shape the region, in a compelling presentation by researcher Amanda Lovitt.
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 11am, then displayed till midday.
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.
Bridgetown Town Hall Reopening – Join us to celebrate the reopening of the beautifully restored Bridgetown Town Hall with a day of history, guided tours, exhibitions, and a special community ceremony.
Donnybrook
Donnybrook Apple Festival – Celebrate tradition, creativity, and community at the Donnybrook Apple Festival, one of WA’s oldest festivals, showcasing the town’s rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere.
Indigenous Walk Trail – Start at the Waugyl Sculpture and explore the Indigenous Walk Trail, immersing yourself in Dreamtime stories, Noongar seasons, and scenic river views.
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.
Greenbushes
Ghost Walk (Anzac Theme) – Join Ada the friendly ghost of Greenbushes as she takes you for a stroll through the streets of Greenbushes.
Maranup Ford Historic Garden Tour – Enjoy a guided walk of the historic Maranup homestead gardens, followed by morning tea and a talk on its history, with time to explore and ask questions.
Greenbushes Discovery Centre – Discover Greenbushes’ rich history at the Discovery Centre with free entry from April 23–27, featuring interactive displays on mining, timber milling, agriculture, and local community life.
Manjimup
Wash Rinse Repeat Exhibition – Join the grand opening of the washing machine history exhibition on April 19 at 10am, marking the start of the Heritage Festival, with display continuing available throughout the festival.
Historic Schools Plaque Tour – Take a bus tour with the Manjimup Historical Society to explore 9 historical school sites and discover early school life circa 1920. Bookings required by April 19 at the Manjimup Visitor Centre.
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.
Nannup
Catholic Church Centenary – Celebrate 100 years of the Nannup Catholic Church. Join us during the Heritage Festival to explore its history, enjoy a cuppa, and be part of this special milestone.
Night Calling Film Screening – Experience Nannup’s natural heritage on the big screen with Night Calling, a stunning documentary by WA filmmaker Sue Taylor, following Dr. Boyd Wykes’ study of the elusive Masked Owl.
Stories Beyond the Grave – Step back in time at the Nannup Library’s History Exhibition and explore the lives of the pioneers who shaped the town through photographs, records, and personal stories.
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 Heritage Walk – Explore Northcliffe’s heritage on a self-guided walk past historic buildings and plaques—start at the Pioneer Museum and grab a brochure to guide your journey.
Pemberton
Pemberton Heritage Trail Walk – Take a heritage walk through Pemberton to discover century-old buildings and commemorative bench seats honoring mill workers and early settlers—marking 100 years since the Group Settlement began in 1925.
Mill Hall Markets – Held in the historic 1913 Mill Hall, the Pemberton Heritage Festival Markets celebrate community spirit and local history in a much-loved landmark.
Pemberton Pioneer 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 Visitor Centre Museum.
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.
🗺️ Plan Your Heritage Adventure
From vintage treasures and creative workshops to forest walks and first-hand stories, the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival brings together the past and present in a uniquely immersive way.
Whether you’re sipping tea with local authors in Boyup Brook, wandering among commemorative oaks in Balingup, exploring the immigrant stories of Bridgetown, or reconnecting with country in Northcliffe and Walpole — you’ll find something to inspire, inform, and uplift.
📖 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.
