Pinjarra: Riverside, History and Experiences

Pinjarra brings together the Murray River, historic sites and activities for a range of interests. At its centre is Murray River Square and Foreshore, a town square and foreshore reserve featuring the Pinjarra Suspension Bridge. Cycling and walking trails run along the Murray River foreshore, where you can also start a kayak trip upstream. If you enjoy spending time by the water while on holiday, there are several ways to explore the area actively.

Foreshore, Parks and Shared Activities

Murray River Square and Foreshore is suitable for family picnics as well as formal and informal activities. As a town square and foreshore reserve, it invites you to combine time by the Murray River with time outdoors. When planning your day, it helps to distinguish between the trails along the foreshore and the facilities in the parks: the cycling and walking trails are part of the river foreshore, while Cantwell Park, a large park in the centre of Pinjarra, offers its own activities.

Cantwell Park has shaded play areas, picnic and barbecue areas, and equipment for outdoor exercise.

Experiences for Different Interests

Ranger Red’s Zoo & Conservation Park offers animal experiences for different age groups. Interactive activities include hand-feeding animals, holding a snake, patting a red-tailed woylie and tickling a ferret. There is also a “Junior Zookeeper for a Day” program for children and teenagers aged 8 to 16 who are interested in animals. This gives young visitors a separate opportunity to spend more time learning about animals.

Weekly harness racing events are held at Pinjarra Paceway. You can watch the races from the track or from the Paceway Pavilion’s restaurant and bar. Alongside nature and cultural experiences, Pinjarra therefore also offers something for visitors interested in harness racing. Pinjarra Art Hub offers a different focus, showcasing locally made works in painting, glass, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and wood. Creative workshops and training courses round out the program.

History and Culture in Pinjarra

Edenvale Heritage Precinct preserves a glimpse of a 19th-century rural village. The site includes historic architecture, gardens at the former residence, wooden fences and barns. The precinct is connected with the McLarty family, a prominent pioneering family in Western Australia. Museums, craft galleries, retail shops, historic archives and preserved historic buildings give the site a range of cultural facets. The precinct is also home to Heritage Rose Garden, a public rose garden and the only garden of its kind in Western Australia.

The Pinjarra Heritage Trail offers another way to explore the town’s early history. The easy walking trail is 1.2 km long and follows Pinjarra’s main street. Information panels accompany the route to historic buildings and places associated with Pinjarra’s early settlement. This lets you explore the history along a specific route rather than focusing on just one place to visit. Pinjarra was one of the earliest areas of European settlement in Western Australia.

The history and culture of the land also includes recognition of the Bilyidar Bindjareb Nyungars as the Traditional Owners of the land in Pinjarra. Their stories are shared through cultural festivals, performances and art. If you are interested in cultural expression, you can consider this perspective alongside the town’s historic buildings and collections; the two subjects offer different ways to connect with Pinjarra’s past and present.

Explore More Destinations

Other destinations to explore include Wickepin, Woodbridge, Benger, Port Hedland, Frankland River, Wanneroo City, Yeagarup and Nedlands.

Return to the main travel guide: Western Australia.