Central Greenough (pronounced Gren-eff) Historical Settlement was my first stop. Its on the floodplain of the Greenough River system and close to the mouth of the Greenough River. The area known as Greenough Front Flats was surveyed in 1857 and by the end of the following year, wheat farming began immediately on the fertile river flats mostly without machinery. The agricultural area became a thriving settlement in the 1860’s but the threat of rust on the wheat crops, combined with drought, flood and poor prices for products led to the area’s population declining dramatically in the first half of the 1900’s. (There was also a catastrophic flood in 1888 which led hundreds of people fleeing their homes). The National Trust has acquired, restored and now manages the buildings that provided services to the local population: both Catholic and Anglican churches (Catho’s had much more beautiful leadlight); local store; gaol and police station; school. And a few cute alpacas munching on brekkie as I walked around the settlement.

Drove over Maley’s Bridge, built with convict labour in 1864, with local limestone spanning the Greenough River, was damaged by floods in 2007.

Further down the road, a short walk on the Greenough Nature Trail to the Devlin Pool lookout, revealed a beautiful view. Too windy to put the drone up though and lots of bull ants swarming, so took a quick pic and went back down.

Came across the beautiful ‘Leaning Tree’ on the highway. A WA species of River Gum, its ‘lean’ is caused by constant strong southerly winds that burn off growth on the windward side – a hardy grower, but weak branches. The Wajarri name for these trees is Wirnda Ngadara. I saw a fab photo of this tree taken by WA photographer, Karl Monaghan, featured at the historical settlement and available for sale @$2,000. Here is his, and mine…