Gnowangerup  

The shire of Gnowangerup embraces the towns of Gnowangerup, Ongerup, Borden and Stirling Range National Park. Two very distinct landscapes make up the shire; Gentle, undulating plains - 100,000 hectares of farmland which supports a highly efficient livestock and cropping industry of wheat, lupines, barley, canola, clover seed, peas, oats and faba beans. The majestic Stirling Range - a growing ecotourism destination which attracts an estimated 175,000 persons annually.

While some settlement in the region took place in the second half of the 19th century it was around 1905 that the lands department was requested to survey the area, now known as Gnowangerup, for town lots. Throughout the shire and the main street of Gnowangerup you will find a number of attractive buildings constructed during these pioneering days. The name Gnowangerup - place of the Malleefowl - is derived from "Gnow," the Noongar (south west aboriginal) word for Malleefowl.

Through out the shire and the main street of Gnowangerup you will find a number of attractive buildings constructed during pioneering days. A large steam tractor imported in 1889 which cleared much of the local countryside is a relic of this era. You will find this tractor in the gardens adjacent to the shire office. At the show ground at the southern end of the main street a collection of unrestored early agricultural machinery can be viewed.