North Dandalup, located an hour’s drive south of Perth, Western Australia, is a small town in the Peel region along the South Western Highway between Serpentine and Pinjarra, and situated in the Shire of Murray.
The word “Dandalup” is a Noongar Aboriginal name referring to the rivers in the area. Although its meaning is not clear, it was recorded on maps of the area from 1835 onwards. North Dandalup was originally established as a railway station when the Pinjarra to Picton Junction railway was connected to Perth in 1894.
In 1899, land was allocated for the building of a school, which was opened in April 1900, and in 1915 a hall and recreation ground were added. The town was eventually gazetted in 1972 a year after construction works began on the South Dandalup Dam. The North Dandalup Dam located 6 kilometres from the town was completed in 1994 at a cost of $50 million.
Today, a primary school, community hall, convenience store and fuel station are located in North Dandalup, and the nearby North Dandalup Dam offers a wide range of recreational activities. The town also serves as a rail terminal for the Australind passenger train which travels from Perth to Bunbury.
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Australia