Donnelly River Village is a hidden treasure nestled in the karri forest. Built originally as a mill town, it was known as the jewel in the Bunnings family timber empire.
The former mill town was used for its original purpose for 30 years, with first buildings being completed in 1948 and the mill finally closing in 1978. The mill was state-of-the-art at the time and was unique in that for most of its working life it was fully steam driven. The village remains largely intact, including cottages, a workshop, shop, clubrooms and the old school. The entire town and the mill are heritage listed. After a short stint as Commission housing, the entire village was converted to holiday accommodation in 1982. The secluded forest location of the village makes it a tranquil retreat for those seeking the peace of nature and a safe place for children to play and explore on family holidays. The old general store still runs seven days a week, serving great coffee, cakes and lunches. The 36 self-contained cottages also make it ideal for functions and events including family reunions, meetings, school excursions and weddings. The village is one of few places where the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail intersect so there are plenty of walks and rides to do. The village is also known for its tame and friendly wildlife. Hand-feed kangaroos, emus, possums and parrots or do a spot of bird watching. |
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