Brunswick Junction, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Brunswick Junction
state = wa

---

caption = Peters Creameries building
lga = Shire of Harvey
postcode = 6224
pop = 797 (2006)
pop_footnotes = [Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL502800|name=Brunswick Junction (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|quick=on|accessdate=2008-10-02]
est = 1898
stategov = Murray-Wellington
fedgov = Forrest
dist1 = 161
location1= Perth
dist2 = 26
location2= Bunbury
dist3 = 21
location3= Harveycoord|-33.256|115.84|type:city(797)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000|format=dms|display=title

Brunswick Junction is a town located in the South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, between Harvey and Bunbury.

History

The Brunswick River which runs just north of the town was named by John Septimus Roe in 1830, and was most probably named after the Duke of Brunswick who Governor Stirling served under while in command of HMS "Brazen" in 1813 off the coast of the Netherlands. Stirling named a number of Western Australian features after his former navy colleagues. [LandInfo WA|c|B|2007-01-17]

The first farm in the area, "Alverstoke", started in 1842 by Marshall Clifton, was producing wheat, barley and potatoes within a few years. A bridge was built over the Brunswick River at Australind to give settlers in the area easier access to what was then the main community in the Harvey District.

In 1893, when the Perth-Bunbury railway was completed, no-one lived in the present-day townsite, but the Brunswick Farmers' Association was formed, with a post office and school operating nearby. In 1898, a junction was opened south of the river when the line to Collie opened, and a railway station was built. [cite web|url=http://www.harvey.wa.gov.au/brunswick|title=Local Towns - Brunswick|accessdate=2006-10-01|author=Shire of Harvey]

Present Day

Brunswick Junction is mainly known today for dairying, to which a large Friesian cow (nicknamed Daisy) stands testament in a park in the centre of town. Peters Creameries produces milk products, butter and cheese from nearby dairy farmers.

The town also hosts several historic buildings, including the shire hall, Catholic and Anglican churches and railway cottages, and the nearby Beela Valley has a scenic drive which takes in farming country east of the town as well as the Mornington forests. [ [http://www.harveytourism.com/brunswick/index.html Harvey Tourism - Brunswick Junction] . Accessed 2 October 2006.]

The Brunswick Agricultural Show is one of the largest in regional Australia with over 15,000 visitors in October of each year. A fashion parade, trade exhibits, arts and crafts and flowers are among the things on offer. [cite web|url=http://www.traveldownunder.com.au/Western_Australia/South_West/Brunswick_Agricultural_Show.asp|title=Brunswick Agricultural Show|accessdate=2006-10-02|author=Travel Down Under]

Transport

Brunswick Junction is located on the South Western Highway 26 km north-east of Bunbury. It is linked by road to Australind via the Kemerton industrial park.

The town serves as a stop on the Australind passenger train from Perth to Bunbury.

References

External links

* [http://www.harvey.wa.gov.au/_content/documents/Maps/Map%2010%20Brunswick.pdf Town map of Brunswick Junction] (Shire of Harvey)
* [http://www.brunswickshow.com/ Brunswick Show]