Boyup Brook: History and the Blackwood River

Boyup Brook combines a remarkable railway history with local collections and experiences on the Blackwood River. The Railway Station recalls the arrival of the railway in 1909; the Boyup Brook District Pioneers’ Museum showcases the district’s pioneering spirit. There is also a butterfly exhibition, a repurposed mill site and canoeing on the river. This means you can shape your stay around different interests: historic places, regional history, nature experiences or a specific event.

Local history and special collections

The Boyup Brook Railway Station is of historical and social significance as a testament to the arrival of the railway in 1909. The year gives your visit a specific historical reference point and makes the railway a clear starting point for exploring local history.

The exhibitions at the Boyup Brook District Pioneers’ Museum reflect the spirit and ingenuity of the district’s pioneers. The Masonic Lodge is also located at the museum: it is the only one of its kind in Australia that is open to the public with authentic furnishings, symbols and regalia. The Lodge therefore adds a particular focus on historic interiors and their symbolism to a visit to the museum.

The Carnaby Collection of Beetles and Butterflies is also represented in Boyup Brook, including a butterfly exhibition. Another place with a historic connection is the Boyup Brook Visitor Centre. It is housed in the town’s original Agricultural Hall, dating from 1910. The years 1909 and 1910 provide two distinct points of reference: the arrival of the railway and the original hall that now houses the Visitor Centre.

Blackwood River: mill site and canoeing

The buildings of the Old Flax Mill have been converted into a recreational and camping complex on the Blackwood River. The repurposing of a historic mill site is another of the themes that shape Boyup Brook. Canoeing offers another way to experience the river: a stretch of the Blackwood River in Boyup Brook is suitable for beginner canoeists and young children for most of the year. If you’re travelling with children, this is a specific option for spending time together on the water; the suitability applies to this stretch of river and for most of the year.

Events and travel dates

The annual Boyup Brook Country Music Muster is scheduled for 19–21 February 2027 at Music Park on Jackson Street. The Blackwood Marathon Relay offers a different focus: it takes place every year on the last Saturday in October and starts in Boyup Brook with a 12-kilometre running course.

These two dates offer different reasons to plan a trip: a multi-day music event on specific dates in February 2027 and an annual running event in October. If you’re planning your stay around either event, check the event dates again before booking.

When looking for a hotel, your reason for visiting can be a useful starting point: consider whether you’re visiting Boyup Brook primarily for its history, the river or a particular event.

Discover more destinations: Port Hedland, Murdoch, Pinjarra, Clackline, Yallingup Siding, Bellevue, Northcliffe, Carnamah

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.