Properties By Region

Greenough Hamlet Heritage Information

The Greenough Flats were first explored in 1839. Nearly 10 years later, a settler expedition arrived at the Greenough River and aided by the arrival of cheap convict labour, the area seemed set for a bright future. The land was very fertile and productive, and a strong sense of community was established in the 1850's and 1860's. The initial agricultural success with grain encouraged further settlement and more development. By 1860, there were three mills on the Flats including steam and horse driven.

However, a combination of floods, red rust and drought created problems for the farming community throughout the 1870's. By the beginning of the twentieth century, Greenough's position as a thriving grain producing region was declining. As wheat production and the population declined, so too did the other services such as flour milling, schools, hotels and shops.

In the 1960's the heritage value of Greenough was recognised and plans were made to save and restore buildings. The National Trust of Australia (WA) and the Shire of Greenough now jointly manage this historic site.

The Greenough area is unique in that there is a large collection of heritage buildings forming the Hamlet. Visitors can stroll around the site and imagine the Hamlet bustling with people as it did in the nineteenth century. The structures in the Hamlet are largely intact and include amongst others three churches, a convent, cottages, the post office, a school, an old store and a well.

Today, Greenough and its surrounds take the visitor back in time to appreciate the contributions made by a nineteenth century farming community in Western Australia.