Capel: River, Culture and History

Capel offers a range of ways to explore the area: the Capel River is of historical and mythological significance to the Noongar, murals tell the story of the town, and a bridge connects several remarkable chapters of the past. When planning a stay, you can therefore explore Capel from cultural, historical and active perspectives—and consider which of these themes matter most to your trip.

The Capel River and the Noongar Story

The story of the Waugal, a mythical rainbow serpent, is connected with the Capel River. According to tradition, as the Waugal travelled from the hills to the sea, it created rivers, waterways and lakes. The river is therefore not just a geographical name, but also part of a story of historical and mythological significance to the Noongar. For those interested in culture and local traditions, this offers a special way to connect with Capel: the landscape can be linked to a story about waterways and the journey from land to sea.

Murals and Local History

The murals on Capel’s main street depict local history, flora and fauna, as well as the six Noongar seasons. These subjects offer insight into different aspects of the town: alongside history, they focus on nature and a cultural division of the year. For people travelling together, the images can be a conversation starter—for example, about the plants, animals or historical connections shown in them. Capel was initially known as Coolingup and was given the name Capel in 1899. This name change adds a specific historical reference to the development of the town represented in the murals.

The Capel River Road Bridge

The Capel River Road Bridge is another trace of the past. It was built by convicts in 1872 and rebuilt in 1913 and 1948. At the time of its 1948 rebuild, it was the only curved bridge made of timber in the Southern Hemisphere. The bridge was built on two levels. Its history can therefore be placed in context using several clear dates: the 19th-century construction was followed by the rebuilds of 1913 and 1948. Those particularly interested in the history of construction will find a distinct subject here, alongside Capel’s cultural stories and murals.

Walks, Trails and Fishing

There are also different ways to explore for travellers who like to combine their stay with activity and discovery. The Tuart Discovery Trail is on Higgins Road, off Stirling Street in Capel. There is also an easy loop trail in the surrounding area, with eight information boards. Keep these two details separate when planning your day: the Tuart Discovery Trail has a specific location in Capel, while the loop trail is in the surrounding area. A walking track near the historic Capel Tavern invites you to look for the troll under the bridge. Fishing is available on the Capel River in Capel.

Choosing Capel as a Destination

When looking for a holiday rental in Capel, it may help to consider what you want your stay to focus on: are you most interested in Noongar stories and murals, the history of the bridge, or walks and fishing by the river? These themes offer a practical basis for considering Capel as a holiday destination, without limiting your stay to just one kind of discovery. Capel also has a disposal station and a 24-hour rest area for motorhome travellers and those camping for free. These are separate points of interest for these types of travel, distinct from the search for a holiday rental.

For further searches, you can also find Wyndham, Swanbourne, Wonnerup, Rocky Gully, Kojonup, Cannington, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Waggrakine.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.