Tourist attractions and activities in and around Mt Barker, WA

Mt Barker offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.

Nature lovers are especially well catered for, particularly in wildflower season when the amazing diversity of flora in the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges are a world-class attraction in their own right.

For wine lovers, the Mount Barker region has many award-winning wineries, many with cellar door outlets, and there are cafés and restaurants to suit every taste.

Our proximity to the south coast provides the opportunity for day trips and touring around Albany and Denmark.

BANKSIA FARM Pearce Road, Mount Barker. Phone/fax 9851 1770. Email Website www.banksiafarm.com.au Showy wildflower garden, featuring all 77 Banksia species and 96 Dryandra species, wildflower interpretation centre, tearooms, botanic art gallery, banksia product sales and native plant nursery. 'Touch, taste and observe' guided tours - an interpretive eco-tourism treat. Peak flowering April to November. Closed July, December 24 - January 3, and weekends in December, January & February.
HILLSIDE BAMBOO NURSERY 1376 Porongurup Rd, Porongurup. Phone 9853 1123. Fax 9853 1184. Email Website http://members.westnet.com.au/peter.bamboo Admire over 280 species of majestic bamboos in our 2 acre bamboo garden and nursery, which also specialises in palms, exotic plants and cacti. We specialise in bamboos for edible shoots and timber, as well as rare bamboos for collectors, Asian edible plants (galangal, tumeric, Thai ginger, cardamom, curry leaf tree etc..), fruit trees & unusual edible plants like bananas, guavas, chompoo, yakon lakon, natal plum, ice cream bean plant, dragon fruit, etc. We have also many species of palms and cacti-succulents.
KALANGADOO KRAFTS AND CAFE 41 Spencer Rd, Narrikup Phone/Fax 9853 2007    Email  Website www.livingearthorganics.com.au Visit us at the historic Narrikup General Store, which was established in 1922. The store carries a wide range of local and unique quality art and craftwork, as well as a range of quality cards, and a small range of patchwork material and craft patterns. In the Living Earth Organics section we stock a wide range of certified organic/bio dynamic fresh produce (local when in season), groceries and green cleaning products. Open Monday - Friday 8am - 5:30pm, Wednesday 8am - 1pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5:30pm.
KELLY'S CAFE MUSEUM Oatlands Rd, Mt Barker. Phone 9851 1562. Fax 9851 2440. Email Arts and crafts, antiques, Australiana, memorabilia, collectables and much more. We are the home of the Dinky Donkey Shop - www.dinkydonkeyshop.com Open Thursday to Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm.
LOTHLORIEN STUDIO Takalarup Rd, Porongurup. Phone studio 9854 3009, home 9854 3008. Email Showcasing a wide selection of beautiful handcrafted work by Dave Taylor, featuring wrought iron and recycled jarrah, in this stunning rendered strawbale gallery overlooking the Porongurup Range. Watch the blacksmith at work. Follow the signs along Takalarup Rd. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Weekends, please phone ahead.
MOUNT BARKER HERITAGE TRAIL The Mt Barker Heritage Trail is a 30 km drive, tracing the development of the prosperous Mount Barker farming district. It features sites of historical interest within the townsite and immediate district, including the Mount Barker Lookout, the area's first bridge and St Werburgh's Chapel - possibly the only church in Western Australia built on private property by a landowner. The trail offers a pleasant half-day's outing, with opportunities for picknicking and walking. Pick up a guide at the Mount Barker Visitor Centre.
MOUNT BARKER LOOK-OUT AND TV TOWER Situated on top of Mt Barker Hill, it is easily pinpointed because of the 170+ metre high TV tower. A short drive to the summit affords views north to the Stirling Range and south to Albany.
MOUNT ROMANCE 2 Down Rd, Albany. Phone 9841 7788. Fax 9841 7100. Email Website www.mtromance.com.au Mt Romance is part of an industry which dates back to the founding of the Western Australian colony during the early 1800s. To show you more, we offer free tours, an international showroom, Cafe Sultan and Wine Cellar, Tribal Dreaming Relaxation Centre, and The Cone, The Gong & The Bowl. Open 7 days, 9 am to 5 pm.
PORONGURUP RANGE NATIONAL PARK One of the oldest volcanic formations in the world, covering an area of 2401 hectares. Easy walk tracks lead to most of the peaks, giving spectacular views. Visit Castle Rock, Balancing Rock, Devil's Slide and the Tree in the Rock. Walk beneath 60 metre high karri trees. Picnic areas with BBQs are located through the park. More here
ST WERBURGH'S CHAPEL Around the world there are 32 religious buildings dedicated to St Werburgh - 29 in England, one in Ireland, one in Zimbabwe - and one just 12 minutes from Mt Barker town centre. This historic chapel was built in 1873 on the Egerton-Warburton Estate and consecrated by Bishop Hale of Perth in 1874, to serve the pioneers in the district. Even today services, weddings and christenings are held by candlelight, as the chapel has never had power.
STIRLING RANGE NATIONAL PARK Covers an area of 115,671 hectares of natural vegetation and scenery. Many tracks provide easy access to wildlife and flowers. Picnic areas with BBQ facilities are located throughout the park. More here
THE LILY 9793 Chester Pass Road, Stirling Ranges, Borden. Phone 9827 9205. Reservations freecall 1800 980 002. Fax 9827 9206. Email Website www.thelily.com.au One of Australia's most unique landmarks, this authentic design 16th century, full-size flour-producing Dutch windmill is the only one of its kind in the country. With its 22 ton cap and a sail length of 24.6 metres, it is also the largest traditional windmill ever built in Australia. Open Thursday to Sunday.
THE OLD POLICE STATION MUSEUM Albany Highway, Mt Barker. Phone 9851 1631, 9851 1735. Mt Barker's first police station was built by convict labour in 1868 and the cottage occupied by police officers and their families until 1908, when a new police station was built next door. The court house office was added in 1919. Opened as a museum in 1968, the museum now displays a diverse range of memorabilia, set in a garden featuring spacious lawns and heritage roses. Entry fee $4, students (12-16 years $2). Open Saturday & Sunday and public and school holidays, 10 am - 4 pm. Other times by request.
UNIQUE JARRAH PRODUCTS Spring Rd, Porongurup. Phone 9853 1047. Email Furniture made to order, jewellery boxes. Looking for that special gift? Please visit us.
WHALE WORLD Frenchman Bay Rd, Albany. Phone 9844 4021. Email Website www.whaleworld.org If you are looking for a great day out, with fun and adventure for the whole family, then head to Whale World. Offering a unique insight into a once operational whaling station, admission includes a free guided tour and access to over 20 exhibits, including the Cheynes IV whalechaser, film and multimedia shows, historical photo galleries, engine and equipment displays and the panorama tower gallery. Also available for your family enjoyment we have sun-smart playgrounds and BBQ facilities and Whalers Galley Café. Open 7 days, 9 am to 5 pm.

MONGOLIAN YURT DISPLAY  12 Morpeth Street, Mount Barker. W.A. 6324

An authentic Mongolian Yurt ( Ger ) display offering a unique insight into the Nomads                             life style. You can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while watching a Mongolian movie by                        appointment.  Contact Robyn or Vince on 08 98512131 or 0438135062                                                   Open 7 days 9am to 5pm  except Friday which is open from 2pm to 5pm

HUTONG`S GALLERY  12 Morpeth Street, Mount Barker. W.A. 6324 

Exquisite, quality Chinese Art-Wares from Beijing. A gallery into another world of jade,                     bronze, stone, wooden objects, delicate porcelain & cloisonné, old scrolls, framed                             pieces & jewellery.   Open 7 days a week 9am to 5pm except Fri 2pm to 5pm.                                                 

Festivals and events at a glance

Not only does Mt Barker offer great local attractions and tourist drives, but also some terrific seasonal festivals and events. For festival details and dates, please contact the Mount Barker Visitor Centre. Why not pick your festival and take a break?