Harvey: Art Walks, Water and History

Harvey can be explored through very different themes: time at Harvey Dam, outdoor art and places of remembrance and education. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these aspects separately. At the water, trails, picnic facilities and paddling are the focus; the art trails connect the Harvey River with local themes, while the memorial and museum offer other ways to explore history and remembrance. You can first decide what kind of experience you would like to shape your stay.

At Harvey Dam: Trails, Picnics and Paddling

Harvey Dam has trails and picnic areas with pavilions and barbecue facilities. This offers a choice between being active and taking a break outdoors. Visitors can paddle there in a kayak or canoe; motorboats are not permitted. If you want to spend time on the water, this provides clear guidance when choosing an activity. Families can also plan their day around whether they would like to focus on a walk, a picnic or paddling.

Art Trails Along the Harvey River

The Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee (Noongar Knowledge Path) is an art walk along the Harvey River. Ten original artworks by the local Noongar community give it a distinct cultural focus. Visitors can start either at Stirling Cottage Gardens or at The Jungle on the South Western Highway in Harvey. These two starting points provide practical guidance for planning this art walk.

The May Gibbs Trail offers a different focus: this short trail runs along the edge of Stirling Cottage Gardens beside the Harvey River. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and learn more about May Gibbs along the way. There are different kinds of walks to choose from: the Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee focuses on original works by the local Noongar community, while the May Gibbs Trail centres on a garden stroll and the author May Gibbs.

The Big Orange: Views and Harvey History

The Big Orange stands atop a 10-metre-high tower. Climbing a further 4 metres and 62 steps leads to an observation platform inside. The exact number of steps provides practical guidance if you would like to discuss the climb with your family beforehand. Inside, visitors can also view information about Harvey’s history and photographs. The views, images and historical information offer several distinct points of interest.

Places of Remembrance and Culture

For more than 80 years, the Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine has been a place of prayer, remembrance and education. Visitors can explore exhibitions that tell the story of the internment camp and the shrine. Prayer and remembrance sit alongside historical interpretation here, shaping the character of this place.

The Harvey Railway Station Precinct and Museum 1890s offers a different cultural connection, with a May Gibbs exhibition. It recalls the time the author of Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie spent in Harvey. The exhibition offers a literary theme, while the memorial explores the history of the internment camp and the shrine. If you are interested in Harvey, you can include these different perspectives on history and culture in your trip plans.

Choose Your Travel Focus for Harvey

When looking for a hotel in Harvey, you can first consider which experience you would most like to shape your stay: water and paddling, outdoor art, or places of history and remembrance.

Discover more destinations: Dardanup, Manjimup, Shadforth, Schroeder, Karratha, Kalgan, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Bow Bridge.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.