The view from the Nannup Brewing Co. deck
Undulating valleys, winding rivers, ancient forests, hiking and cycling trails, orchards, charming towns, wineries and festivals. If Sir Henry Blackwood could see his eponymous region now, he’d be turning in his grave.
Offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle, the Blackwood River Valley serves up not only a feast for the senses, but an insight to the lives of early settlers, who came to the area for work in the nearby timber mills. Stretching for 270km, the region’s namesake waterway is Western Australia’s longest continually flowing river, flanked by ancient forests of tall jarrah, marri and karri trees, a region rich in produce and a major contributor to southwest Western Australia’s sensational food bowl.
Hosting eclectic events throughout the year where quaint towns burst with activity, not to mention the abundant art and craft wares, rich history, dense forests, nature trails and natural pools, there is something for every taste and season in Blackwood River Valley.
Fruit of every variety — part of the sensational WA food bowl
The only way is ‘up’
In Western Australia, there are a lot of place names ending in ‘up’ — Balingup, Nannup, Manjimup, Dwellingup, the list goes on. While some claim the suffix means ‘place of water’, others believe the origins lie in the meaning ‘place’. Either way, there’s a medley of ‘ups’ south of Perth and this neck of the woods has plenty of placenames that honour the Traditional Custodians of the land.
Travelling for two and a half hours from Perth, and passing several orchards and roadside fruit stalls, it quickly became apparent to us that this region of Western Australia is rich in agricultural offerings. Everything from apples, oranges, pears, peaches and apricots thrive here and you’d be a fool not to take advantage of purchasing some of this locally grown goodness just footsteps from the trees they were picked from! Grapes deserve a mention also, with more than 50 vineyards and cellar doors in the region, producing some of Western Australia’s best premium wines to pair with artisanal local produce.
Welcome to Blackwood Valley — an often-overlooked slice of natural paradise, right under Perth’s nose.
All things quirky
After stockpiling fresh produce, we continued until we found ourselves in the enchanting town of Balingup, a cute spot punching way above its weight in all things quaint. Believed to be named after Indigenous warrior Balingan who hailed from the area, the town has since undergone various iterations, from tin mining country to dairy farming and fruit orchards. Alongside hosting the ever-popular Balingup Medieval Carnivale every August, thousands of keen hikers pass through the town each year, embarking on Western Australia’s most famous hike, the ambitious 1000km Bibbulmun Track.
For those wanting a more leisurely stroll minus the backpack and walking poles, take to the main street where countless art galleries, quirky collectibles, op shops and antique stores colourfully display their wares. The famous Tinderbox at the end of the street beckons, hosting a treasure trove emporium of herbal products, essential oils and earthy aromas of natural goodness in blue jars. Across the road, the Balingup Picture Theatre built in 1936 still stands in all its timber glory with the nearby Packing Shed providing both rustic charm and an insightful window to days past with its Balingup Heritage Exhibition, Mr Foster’s (previously Olde Shed Cafe) of homecooked treats and Balingup Fruit Winery.
History, fine food and fruit winery at the Packing Shed
Spoil yourself at Tinderbox, Balingup
Just out of town, tree lovers will appreciate the volunteer-run Golden Valley Tree Park, a 60-hectare arboretum of more than 3000 individual trees, the largest of its kind in the state with more than 500 different species on show. Stretch the legs and take a stroll from varying trails from ‘Pear Walk’ to ‘Sequoia Walk’ showcasing these lofty specimens, where each season offers beauty of a different kind. The ‘Oak Grove’ walk (45min) offers an easy stroll with a dedicated picnic area. Pair it with a bottle of local wine and produce to enjoy the shade of these beautiful giants with autumn in particular putting on a sensational display of shifting gold and red russet hues.
Take a drive among the giants in Golden Valley Tree Park, Balingup
Make like a tourist
From Balingup, we headed southeast to Nannup, taking in the sites along the spectacular Blackwood River Tourist Drive (a self-guided tour). After a 45-minute meander past lush farmlands, orchards and jarrah and marri forests, we stopped at The Old Cheese Factory. Deceptive by name (hint, there’s no cheese), it houses an eclectic mix of everything handmade, culminating in Western Australia’s largest arts and craft factory. Stoneware pottery, timber products, Indigenous crafts, furniture, antiques and paintings — if it’s handmade, it’s here and worthy of a wander and a local souvenir pick-up.
Further along, we stopped at Wrights Bridge to take in the views of the spectacular scenery and Blackwood River, a gorgeous, shaded spot where RVs and caravans can rest for the night, right by the water in the heart of lush forest (camping fees apply). Bring your canoe, kayak or fishing gear, and if you’re a twitcher, your binoculars too, to eye the numerous waterbirds that frequent the area. If you enjoy colourful flowers, then springtime is the best time of year to visit, as Mother Nature never fails to impress and the wildflowers put on their annual full-bloom show, offering picnickers, hikers and bikers a vibrant splash of colour.
Blackwood River
Wrights Bridge is a tranquil stop to rest
Nannup — the stopping place
True to its Indigenous name of ‘stopping place’, Nannup may provide a tranquil sanctuary to rest for a while, but over Western Australia’s labour day long weekend (28 Feb – 2 March 2026), its population swells as thousands flock here during its annual and much-loved Nannup Music Festival.
This town is also home to the Nannup Flower and Garden Show every August (7–17 August 2025), where the Munda Biddi cycling trail runs right through town. Scratch the surface of this cute hamlet and explore the main street, Warren Road’s detailed Heritage Trail, where displayed plaques out front of weatherboard homes and verandah shopfront businesses reveal the names and lives of early settlers who resided here. From convict turned bootmakers, drapers, mechanics, tobacconists, hairdressers, grocers and hardware sellers, their original heritage buildings still stand today, testament to Nannup’s rich past, proud history and continued community spirit.
Home of the Nannup Music Festival
For adventurous gourmands, try a tasting session of crocodile, venison, buffalo, wild boar, emu or kangaroo at the local TigerValley Gallery and Giftware store. Owners Brad and Mandy have filled its walls with their acrylic paintings and handcrafted furniture and clocks made from local timber.
The town’s centre features the Nannup Hotel, lording over the local bowling green like a time-worn sentinel, its original wooden building constructed in 1899 replaced by the stone grande dame that stands today, serving cold beers, pub fare and a sensational courtyard to unwind in.
At the end of Warren Road, right across from the town’s caravan park, we spotted another great perch for a cool drink. At the family run Nannup Brewing Co., good old-fashioned service, live music, a leafy timber deck and beer garden overlooking a lush valley could not be more inviting. We took our stools at the bar, sipped our beers and enjoyed the tunes of a local band, with a vista over a valley of mature trees and twisting vines. If you’re here in the cooler months, cosy up on the Chesterfield inside by the roaring fire, settle in and sample the local brews.
The Nannup Brewing Co.
Trees, pianos and soap
Like Balingup, Nannup too celebrates its tall giants with an impressive arboretum located at the end of town, with many of its inhabitants prime examples of their species. Planting began in 1922 as a trial of exotic timber species and many of them have reached maturity, their impressive limbs and branches stretching skyward, offering a great spot for a tranquil picnic or a moment of quiet contemplation.
Towering trees at Nannup Arboretum
At the other end of town, the Avenue of Honour pays tribute to fallen soldiers, with rows of ornamental pear trees lining the street as a mark of respect, honouring those hailing from the Nannup district who enlisted in the armed forces and never returned home.
Across from the bowling green, an incongruous bright red shopfront with sunlounges and umbrellas caught my eye. Beautiful scents of natural oils and soapy goodness filled the air in Forest Hemp Soap Smith, a haven of handmade goodies. Within minutes of entering the store we were treated to a piano rendition and song, with soap maker Simon belting out a few tunes in what can only be described as a country town shopping experience with a difference.
Forest Hemp Soap Smith in Nannup
Music while you shop
Barrabup Pool — a reflective place
It was a hot day, and when it came time for a dip it felt like a treat heading out to this special place. Forget chlorine, entrance fees and crowds. There is nothing like a cool down in one of nature’s tranquil waterholes to soothe the body and soul. Just 10km out of Nannup, we entered St John Brook Conservation Park and were greeted with the calmest, reflective waters, right in the central heart of the forest. A beautiful sanctuary far from the madding crowd, we swam from one end of the natural pool to the other before lying on our backs, gazing up at the towering karri and jarrah trees that enveloped us and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere.
The serenity is a far cry from Barrabup’s heyday as a thriving timber mill town in the 1800s. Lying in the water and listening to nothing but birdsong, I couldn’t help but think how different the air would have once sounded with a mill of 150 workers and a steam train hissing through the woods all those years ago. About five minutes further along the track lies the former Workmans Pool. Banned from entering Barrabup Pools, workers used this alternative watering hole, enjoying a well-earned respite from a hard day’s graft at the mill.
Barrabup Pools in St John Brook Conservation Park
It was easy to while away a few hours in St John Brook Conservation Park, with meandering walking trails all around the natural pools, with plenty of parrots, wrens, kookaburras and cockatoos to keep an eye (and ear) out for, and for fishing enthusiasts, there is plenty of rainbow trout and marron. Bring a picnic and savour the sites, smells and sounds of this unique place carved by nature. Canoe or kayak its waters, or for those wanting a little more adventure, take the 22km walk or bike ride along the Old Timberline Rail Trail that follows the old tramway before cooling off again in the still waters under a canopy of green.
Upcoming events and festivals in the Blackwood River Valley region
- Balingup Medieval Carnivale: 23–24 Aug 2025
- Nannup Flower and Garden Festival: 8–17 August 2025
- Blues at Bridgetown: 7–9 Nov 2025
The Telling Tales in Balingup children’s storytelling festival
Where to stay
Here are some great caravan and RV-friendly accommodation options:
-
Wrights Bridge Campground
Nannup Road
Southampton WA 6253
A medium-sized campground in the forest, alongside Blackwood River 12km from Balingup. There are unpowered campsites, picnic tables, pit toilets and the campground is dog friendly.
Booking required and camping fees apply. -
Greenbushes Pool
Greenbushes Loop
Greenbushes WA 6254
Located 11km out of Balingup, this campground allows up to three nights camping for free. There are shady spots, toilets, drinking water, barbecue areas, swimming and pets are allowed. -
Nannup Caravan Park
4 Brockman Street
Nannup WA 6275
Pet friendly with 95 caravan sites on the banks of Blackwood River.
P: 08 9756 1211 / 0413 036 357
E: nannupcp@outlookcom.au -
BIG4 Bridgetown Caravan Park
24431 South Western Highway
Bridgetown WA 6255
Located on the banks of the Blackwood River, this caravan park has a range of accommodation options to suit travel styles and budgets.
P: 08 9761 1900
E: reception@big4bridgetown.com.au
Where to go
Here are some great spots to visit during your visit to Blackwood River valley:
-
Balingup Visitor Centre
South Western Highway
Balingup WA 6253
P: 08 9764 1818
E: balinguptourism@westnet.com.au -
Blackwood Cafe and Tourist Information
24 Warren Road
Nannup WA 6275
P: 08 9756 1120
Download the Experience Nannup App here. -
The Old Cheese Factory
16 Nannup Balingup Road
Balingup WA 6253
P: 08 9764 1018 -
Nannup Brewing Co.
1 Warren Road
Nannup WA 6275
P: 08 9700 9011 -
St John Brook Conservation Park
P: 08 9752 5555
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