| Things
to See & Do Heritage sites, art galleries, wood furniture, country cafes and boutique shops nestle side by side on the vibrant main street. Walk the parks and riverside, take in a horse or wagon ride through state forests, sample local wines and fresh home-grown produce, or enjoy a picnic gazing out on a valley vista, the choices abound! |
Geegalup
Heritage Trail & Walk |
Food & Wine |
Blackwood
Classic Power Boat Race
When: Every year in September. Address: Blackwood River, Bridgetown Phone: 08 9248 3356 Email: info@dinghyracing.com.au Website: www.dinghyracing.com.au Four power dinghy races are held on the Blackwood River annually. They include the Nannup Cup, the Sunnyside Sprint, The River Race and the Blackwood Classic 250. Claims to be the longest power dinghy race in the world, the Blackwood Classic 250 is a three day time trial covering some 250 kms of the Blackwood River, commencing at Bridgetown, passing through Nannup and Sues Bridge, and finishing at the river mouth at Augusta. More information at the Power dinghy Racing Club. |
Blackwood
Marathon Relay
When: Every year on the last Saturday in October. Address: PO Box 259, Bridgetown Phone: 08 9761 1535 Email: alanw1@iinet.net.au The increase in the numbers from the original 56 team entries in 1979, to 377 entries in 1991, sees the continual rise in popularity of this event. Today, the event attracts all levels of competitors from the elite champions to others who just compete for fun. Former competitors are Robert De Costello, Steele Bishop, Shane Gould and Sue Malaxos. |
| Galleries
Galore There are many woodcraft and art galleries for you to explore. Bridgetown even has Australia’s ONLY Jigsaw Gallery, housing what may be the Worlds Smallest Wooden Jigsaw. From the main street shops to magnificent old country houses converted to stunning studios and workshops, you are sure to find that unique ‘something’ to add to a private collection or for a treasured gift |
Parks & Bushwalks |
| Festivals & Events Bridgetown hosts many festivals and sporting events throughout the year. Music festivals such as Blues at Bridgetown and the Blackwood River Chamber Festival are a fabulous contrast to major draw cards such as the WA State Kayak Championships, Blackwood Classic Power Boat race, Festival of Country Gardens, Blackwood Marathon and much much more! Contact the Visitor Centre for details on current events |
| Blues
at Bridgetown When: Every year, in the second weekend in November. Address: 154 Hampton Street, Bridgetown Phone: 08 9761 2921 Email: blues@bluesatbridgetown.com Website: www.bluesatbridgetown.com Blues at Bridgetown is a community managed music festival. Nestled in the spectacular Blackwood Valley this three day event is WA’s premier Blues music festival. Bridgetown becomes a five venue, Blues music showcase with a massive, free Saturday street party. |
Festival
of Country Gardens
When: Autumn Delights (May), Spring Festival (Nov). Address: Blackwood River Valley Phone: 1800 001 357 Email: mail@countrygardens.com.au Website: www.countrygardens.com.au The Festival is held through the hinterland of the South West with gardens in Bridgetown, Balingup, Greenbushes, Manjimup and Nannup. The main festival is held during spring over the first week and third weekend of November. Visit the Festival Centre office housed in the old Railway Station in Bridgetown. |
During the month of April each year Bridgetown is a blaze of colour with flags flying for the annual Flag Festival. Over a thousand flags are displayed throughout the town by businesses and private houses. Pupils at the towns schools make their own flags to join in the festival. |
| BLACKWOOD
VALLEY 2009 WA BOUTIQUE WINE SHOW The Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association’s Annual Wine Show has been announced for 2009. In its seventh year of showing fine Western Australian wines, organisers of the event are again inviting boutique wineries from across the State to participate in what is becoming one of the region’s main events. The Blackwood Valley 2009 WA Boutique Wine Show will be held on 17th October in Bridgetown . Boutique wine producers from across the State are invited to showcase their wines along with producers from the Blackwood Valley Wine Region. Blackwood Valley Wine Association’s President, Jennifer Duncan , said “We are really excited about the event this year. We had 137 wines entered last year and are expecting over 200 for this years event. With the current over supply within the wine industry, we feel it is still really important to be recognising small producers for their high quality boutique wines. It is also a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the wines from the Blackwood Valley Wine Region. ”Wine entry is open to any Western Australian producer who crushes from less than 100 tonnes of fruit per year. Wines containing a minimum of 85% grapes grown within the Blackwood Valley Wine Region or that are made in a winery within the region are eligible for Blackwood Valley Trophies. The Blackwood Valley Wine Industry Association encourages everyone to enter the show and support the promotion of boutique wines. “The Blackwood Valley WA Boutique Wine Show is a great opportunity for small wine producers to be able to promote their wines and their regions. We look forward to a wide range of wines from across the State to truly highlight the diversity and individual uniqueness of wines from each region.” Said Mrs Duncan. Information about the show and entry forms can be downloaded from the Association’s website www.blackwoodvalleywine.asn.au or by contacting Kirsten Martin on 9767 3030 or bvwia@westnet.com.au |
Events held in Bridgetown
Bridgetown Events
Bridgetown is in the heart of the beautiful Blackwood River Valley only three hours drive south of Perth. The town is renowned for its crisp cool mornings, with mist shrouded hilltops in the winter, stunning autumn and spring colours and a cool retreat in the summer. Bridgetown is surrounded by tall forests, wonderful scenic drives, and is considered to bethe most picturesque towns in Western Australia.
As the only heritage listed town in the South West, Bridgetown has many fine old buildings that have been painstakingly restored, creating a wonderful mixture of old world charm with modern facilities
