| Explore Ravensthorpe |
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John Septimus Roe surveyed the area in 1848. In 1868 the Dunn brothers settled in Coconarup, thirty years later James Dunn found gold at Annabel Creek, and a gold rush followed. After the depression in the 1930s pastoral land was released with further land releases in the 1960s and 1970s, agriculture remains the principal industry of the area. The Fitzgerald River National Park includes the Ravensthorpe Range, inland bush and farm lands. It's a great place for tourists to discover pristine beaches, four wheel driving trails, hiking, camping, canoeing and viewing wildflowers which bloom all year round. The Fitzgerald School Site has recently been restored to mark the significance of the Ravensthorpe settlement, as well as the development of the district. Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun Visitor Centre and Museum provides a wealth of information on the area. The museum has 72 mineral samples and local gem stones on display. The miner’s cottage and historic shoe display are also worth a visit. Take the scenic Archer Drive to a lookout in the Ravensthorpe Range, there are also wildflower viewing opportunities in spring along the way. The Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Railway Heritage Walk Trail, is a historical walk which follows the old railway line between the two towns. There are other easy walk trails long the line: Ravensthorpe to Desmond, Desmond to Kundip, Kundip to Lee Creek figure of eight and Hopetoun Trail Head Loop. Between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun is Ethel Daw Drive, a 1.5km road off Elverdton Road which takes you to Mt Desmond lookout, offering uninterrupted views.
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