Balingup, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Balingup
state = wa


caption =
lga = Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
postcode = 6253
est = 1898
pop = 443 (2006 Census) [Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC53086|name=Balingup (State Suburb)|quick=on|accessdate=2008-09-20]
elevation= 116
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
stategov = Collie-Preston
fedgov = Forrest
dist1 = 241
dir1 = South
location1= Perth
dist2 = 24
dir2 = North West
location2= Bridgetown
dist3 = 38
dir3 = West
location3= Boyup Brookcoord|-33.787|115.982|type:city(443)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000|format=dms|display=title

Balingup is a town located in the South West of Western Australia, convert|241|km|mi|0 south of the state capital, Perth, and convert|31|km|mi|0 southeast of the town of Donnybrook.

The town takes its name from Balingup Pool, located on the Balingup Brook which flows through the town. The name was first recorded by a surveyor in 1850, and is said to be derived from the name of Noongar warrior, Balingan. [LandInfo WA|c|B|2007-06-08]

The town is on the South Western Highway. It originally had a station on the railway line, opened in 1898, the same year the town was gazetted.

Balingup is known for the scenic beauty of the surrounding hills, and annual festivals such as the [http://balingupsmallfarmfieldday.com.au/ Small Farm Field Day] (late April) and [http://www.balingupmedievalcarnivale.com.au/ Medieval Carnivale] (August).

It is also one of the few towns through which the Bibbulmun Track passes.

The historic Southampton homestead is nearby.

References

Further reading

* Frost, A. C. "Baylya-balinga : a history of Balingup, W.A." Donnybrook, W.A. : Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council, 1979. ISBN 0959737316