GREENOUGH HAMLET

Introduction to the site

            Welcome to the Greenough Hamlet. This guide  provides a plan and brief background about each of the buildings in the Hamlet. As you will soon be welcomed to stroll around the site, take time to note the important features of the buildings and try to imagine the Hamlet bustling with people as it did in the nineteenth century.

            Most sections are open to the public and we would request that you respect the buildings, furniture and artefacts at this historic place. This Hamlet is conserved not only for our enjoyment but also for that of future generations.

            Located approximately 25 kilometres south of Geraldton, the Greenough Flats form the flood plain of the river system close to the mouth of the Greenough River. The buildings and landscape of the Greenough Flats provide an example of colonial expansion in the mid-nineteenth century. During the 1860s Greenough became a thriving agricultural area but the threat of rust on the wheat crops combined with drought, flood and poor prices for agricultural products led to the area's decline.

            The population of the Greenough Flats dropped dramatically in the first half of the twentieth century and many of its fine buildings fell into disrepair. Today the cultural heritage value of Central Greenough has been recognised and since the 1970s efforts have been made to prevent further deterioration of the buildings in what is now known as Greenough Hamlet.

Heritage Significance

Historic Greenough has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

The place is aesthetically pleasing because it has a collection of recognisable landscapes, and man-made structures, which demonstrate the various styles of early Western Australian architecture.

It has significant historic value as it demonstrates both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal land use. It is also connected with people or organisations of note in Western Australian history e.g. George Grey, AC and CF Gregory, Walter Padbury, Hamersley & Co.

The place has scientific value because it provides evidence of the past technologies of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal in terms of building and rural development.

It has significant social value providing evidence of the manner of working and living in a nineteenth century farming community.

Its rarity value lies in the collection of buildings, which form the Greenough Hamlet.

THE NATIONAL TRUST AND SHIRE OF GREENOUGH HOPE YOU WILL

ENJOY A VISIT TO THIS HISTORIC PROPERTY

You can buy Greenough Trail Guides at the Shire of Greenough and at the Greenough Hamlet Tourist Centre.

This great little guide will provide you with information on historic buildings in Greenough. We also have self-tour guides for the buildings within the Hamlet and around the Greenough Flats.

Tour/Coach Bookings   (08) 99 210 500
Tearooms                      (08) 99 261 084
Visitor Centre                (08) 99 261 660

Links to National Trust