Drive south from the Donnybrook Tourist Information Centre for half a kilometre then take Capel turn off on right hand side. Turn left at Emerald Street, upper Capel Road one kilometre on the left. Drive terminates at Kirup on South West Highway. Four kilometres along upper Capel Road is situated a stone quarry from which Donnybrook stone is recovered. Also in this area are old goldmine workings. These workings are difficult to find and require some exploration of the road. Please take care.

Eleven kilometres will bring you to the old site of English Field School. The site is marked. This drive is very picturesque passing through orchards, dairying areas and tree-line slopes. Areas such as Fry's flats are kept green all year round through water provided from large irrigation dams.

 

Drive 2: Alternative to South West Highway Donnybrook-Kirup via Sandhills Road. 22 kilometres.

Drive south from the Donnybrook Tourist Information Centre for two and a half kilometres then take the Boyup Brook turn off on the left. Proceed for just under one kilometre then take the right turn onto Sandhills Road (scenic drive no.1). Sandhills Road will rejoin the South West Highway at Kirup adjacent to the Kirup Tavern. This drive runs through timbered country, orchards and grazing land.

You will also pass Old Brookhampton Hall and Bedfords Mill. The latter being a small private saw mill still in operation and can be visited. Half a kilometre before reaching Kirup you can take a left turn on to Kirup Road and visit Grimwade, a small logging settlement. This diversion will take you through natural timber and pine plantations.

 

Drive 3: Alternative to South West Highway Kirup-Balingup.

Leave Kirup driving south along South West Highway for three kilometres and then take right hand turn for Cundinup. Continue for eight kilometres and then take left turn on to Dorant Road (gravel road). Follow this road for seven kilometres through heavily timbered country. The road will intersect with the Balingup-Nannup Road.

As you travel south along the Dorant Road there are two forks which may confuse you. At the first branch right and at the second go left. This will not be a problem for those heading north.

When you reach the Balingup-Nannup Road turn left for Balingup (ten and a half kilometres) right for Nannup (see drive 4). This drive passes through pine plantations. Is not recommended for caravans.

For those wishing a break, or to stop overnight when the Balingup-Nannup Road is reached turn right and continue for half a kilometre, on the right is "Wrights Bridge" a location for camping, caravans, swimming, barbecues and picnics.

 

Drive 4: Balingup-Nannup alternative route for Busselton, Margaret River; also Greenbushes and Bridgetown.

Route well signposted in Balingup. When heading south along South West Highway take right hand turn at 'the quilters corner' and 'tinderbox'. Five and a half kilometres from the Cheese Factory is Ferndale picnic area. A further six kilometres will find you at Wights Bridge where you will find facilities for barbecues, swimming, camping and caravan parks.

Powlalup nature reserve lies a further two kilometres towards Nannup. Redgum Hill Bed and Breakfast is twenty-four kilometres from the Cheese Factory. For much of this drive the road follows the Blackwood River. This route is very scenic and well worth the time to see.

 

Drive 5: To Wellington Mills and Wellington Dam alternative route for those heading to Bunbury, Collie or Perth.

Head south from the Donnybrook Tourist Information Centre for two and a half kilometres and take the Boyup Brook road on the left. Continue for thirteen and a half kilometres and make a left turn at Lowden. Turn off for Wellington Mill is approximately twelve kilometres along this road and is sign posted.

This route is very picturesque, particularly in winter and spring, passing through rolling countryside and plantations. On route to Wellington Mills you may visit the Nittarni Studio on Ferguson Road; this studio has a resident potter. Also take time to inspect the King Jarrah Tree. This is well sign posted.

 

Drive 6: Donnybrook-Balingup via Lowden and Grimwade. 62 kilometres.

Drive south from Donnybrook Tourist Information Centre for two and a half kilometres take left turn on to Boyup Brook Road. Lowden lies some thirteen and a half kilometres along this road. Take a right hand turn into Lowden Road continuing until you intersect Bekin Road, turn right and Grimwade lies some four and a half kilometres along Bekin Road.

If visitors drive into Grimwade and locate the 'airstrip' road they will find picnic facilities adjacent to the dam. Bekin Road rejoins the South West Highway just north of Balingup. Alternatively visitors may wish to take the Kirup Road just under one kilometre south of Grimwade. Kirup is fifteen kilometres distant. This drive will allow visitors to see virgin forest, replanted forest and pine plantations.

 

Drive 7: Donnybrook-Boyanup-Capel-Donnybrook. 94 kilometres.

This drive is intended for visitors staying in Donnybrook as a day trip. Leave the Tourist Centre and head north along the South West Highway. Argyle fruit is located at seven and a half kilometres where you can obtain fresh fruit in season. A further five kilometres towards Boyanup is located Lodge Farm, Bed and Breakfast. Boyanup is reached after travelling sixteen kilometres. Situated here is a train and vintage car museum. Look for signs on right hand side after the rail crossing.

Adjacent to the museum on the Dardanup Road is a scenic picnic and barbecue area, located at the bridge over the brook. Those who wish to continue the drive should head back towards Donnybrook from the museum for one and a half kilometres and turn right at the Busselton turn off. Drive for two kilometres and take Boyanup West Road on the right. Eight kilometres on this road will bring you to the All Souls Anglican Church. This church was built around 1932 and was originally sited at Ferguson.

Boyanup West Road intersects with the main coastal highway - turn left towards Capel. At Capel visitors can visit the Bubbling Billy Tearooms for refreshments and view an extensive range of craft items. Local vineyards and beaches are also sign posted. The Donnybrook turn off is indicated in Capel. Some twenty kilometres along this road is Iron Stone Falls which is now used as a barbecue and picnic spot. The Donnybrook-Capel Road takes visitors through dairy and orchard country as well as areas of state forest.

The Gallery", Cnr Brockman St & Blackwood River Drive Balingup, WA 6253, Phone:(08) 9764 1818, Open: 7 days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm balinguptourisom@westnet.com.au    www.balinguptourism.com.au