Population of the Harvey District is 21,000. Harvey town is 2,825. Rural 2,855.
The thriving town of Harvey, which is situated on the river, enjoys a unique Italian heritage. This cosmopolitan influence has resulted in a vibrant community with a relaxed and friendly lifestyle. In 1829, Captain James Stirling (later to become the first Governor of Western Australia) selected a quota of fertile land and called it the Harvey River Settlement, later named Harvey. Harvey is nestled on fertile, irrigated plains beneath the rolling foothills of the Darling Range and is approximately 20 kilometres from the coast. Nearby natural features include tranquil jarrah forest, Harvey Weir and Stirling Dam, the Bibbulmun Track and the evergreen pastures Harvey is famous for! Today the Harvey Shire is an outstanding region. It possesses a wide diversity of industries, many recognised worldwide. We have some of the best beef production, citrus growing, dairy farming and viticulture in Australia. Most employment in the area is generated by agriculture, bauxite mining (Alcoa), tourism and the industrial parkland, Kemerton, with its production-based industries and timber milling in Yarloop now compliment the shire. We invite you to explore Harvey and indulge in some of the local produce, to delight all tastes! We are just one and a half hours drive south from Perth on the South Western Highway and serviced daily by the Australind train from Perth to Bunbury. Explore our beautiful green countryside of rich earth and pure water. A friendly welcome awaits you!
HARVEY 'A BREATH OF FRESH AIR' AND NATURE AT YOUR DOOR STEP. Things to See and Do
HARVEY "BIG ORANGE"One of WA's large icons. The Big Orange gets a fresh new look and re-opened on the 19th July 2008. Harvey's landmark the 'Big Orange' has been fully restored to its former glory and placed on a steel structure 17m high overlooking the orchards of Harvey Fresh on Third Street. The steel structure has viewing deck which also features some Harvey History. A staircase offers easy access into the Big Orange. The Big Orange can be entered via the cellar door at the Harvey River Bridge Estate winery. Gold coin donations given to enter the orange will be given to Telethon. Harvey Fresh has been a long-time and strong supporter of this worthy cause. The investment in the landmark has been well over $250,000 and Harvey Fresh believes it will add tourism value as a gateway to the South-West. Back in the mid 1980's, a small tourist park was built on the outskirts of Harvey and the Big Orange was perched on the roof of the building next to the South West Highway. Unfortunately the tourist park eventually closed down and the Big Orange fell into disrepair. In 2004, Harvey Fresh purchased the Big Orange because the company believed - because of its poor condition - it did not provide a good impression for visitors entering the beautiful town of Harvey. The Big Orange was removed and under police escort was transferred to the Harvey Fresh site along the Harvey River. Harvey Fresh is a truly 100 per cent WA owned and operated business. MOSAICS AND MURALSMOSAICS: The Harvey Region has a unique collection of mosaics designed and made by a local artist Anthea Ward. You will find a trail of these large mosaics at the entrances to Harvey, Binningup and Myalup.
Street benches and other mosaics can be seen at the Harvey Visitor Centre, Australind Shopping Centre and Australind Recreation Centre. MURALS: The main street of Harvey features wall murals depicting the Harvey District lifestyle. While you are in the main shopping area, there is a seat not far from the murals which has also been painted by Anthea.
HARVEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Harper Street, Harvey
Open Sundays 2pm – 4pm. Entry Fee $1 adults, 50c children.
A collection of fascinating memorabilia housed in the old Railway Station opposite the Harvey Hotel. HARVEY RIVER DIVERSIONDiversion built in the early 1930s. Flooding took place every winter in the Harvey area and to overcome this problem it was decided to dig a channel from the Harvey River to Myalup. This work was labour-intensive and took several years to complete. A park has been set up at the Baker Street section of the Diversion, with picnic tables, wood BBQs and a commemorative plaque to honour the men who dug the Diversion. This Diversion is currently being enhanced. APEX PARKPopular children’s playground featuring favourite play equipment with a basketball ring and drinking fountain. SNELLS PARKSituated right in town, this pretty park has a gazebo and lovely, well tended gardens. A perfect spot for a picnic or to relax and watch the world go by. Facilities include toilets and park benches. WILDFLOWER PICNIC SITETurn into Honeymoon Road (unsealed) 2km north of the Harvey Visitor Centre off the South Western Highway. Travel for a further 2km to the secluded picnic site with magnificent stands of grass trees/blackboys and rocky outcrops. Wood BBQs and picnic tables available. Follow the WHITE markers for a 1.4km bush walk and see some breath- taking views of the Harvey Dam and pine plantation with sweeping views across the coastal plain. In spring delight in the magnificent wildflowers. GIBBS POOLNamed after the pioneering Gibbs family, this pretty pool served as the local swimming pool prior to the construction of the Harvey Aquatic Centre. STIRLING DAM (Currently not accessable due to construction on the dam wall)Approximately 17kms east of Harvey. Turn onto Weir Road from the South Western Highway (the last 7 kms of the road is unsealed). Named after Governor Stirling, the dam is set in natural bush land, perfect for getting back to nature! Construction of the Dam started in the 1940s to supplement the Harvey Weir by channeling water through a gravitational system. This is now sent to the metro area. There are wood BBQs, picnic tables and a toilet. At the south side of the Dam over the wall, a walk trail follows the dam overflow course, approximately 500m circuit or 15 minutes. Some roads are rough and require a 4WD vehicle. Maps available from DEC or the Visitor Centre. Other features are abundant wildflowers in August, September and October. No fires or camping permitted. Fishing and marroning are no longer permitted at Stirling Dam and the Harvey River upstream of Stirling Dam. This is in order to safeguard the quality of water being supplied to the people of Harvey, Mandurah, Rockingham and Perth. HARVEY DAM3kms east of Harvey, off Quindanning Road. The eight gigalitre Harvey Weir was built in 1916 to supply irrigation and drinking water for Harvey. Harvey Dam was expanded in 2002 to meet the irrigation needs of the area and now has a capacity of 56,442 gigalitres with a catchment area of 126 square kilometres at full supply level it is 78 metres above sea level. The new Harvey Dam became part of the $275 million Stirling - Harvey Redevelopment Scheme. Admire the scenery from the 45 metre Dam wall. Enjoy the world class recreational facilities including the Harvey Dam Amphitheatre suitable for major concerts and events. Venue booking's at the Harvey Visitor Centre Phone: 9729 1122. info@harveytourism.com Outstanding features include walkways, free electric BBQs, playground facilities, gazebo's, picnic tables and toilets. Canoes will be allowed but not power boats. Marroning, freshwater fishing for trout and perch fishing is permitted only at the rear of the dam (in season with permit). Freshwater fishing license is available from post offices. The season is closed between May 1 and August 21 each year. | 
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