Greenbushes is a historic timber and mining town located between Balingup and Bridgetown in the Southern Forests and Valleys. The town was named for the unusual “green bushes” surrounding a well that was frequented in the late 1880s by thirsty travellers journeying south from Bunbury.
The town got its start when an influx of prospectors arrived after the discovery of a pound of tin in a creek in 1888, resulting in three town sites, two of which still stand. Today, the town’s main industry is mining, particularly lithium and tantalum. The Public Mine Lookout gives a birds-eye-view into the Cornwall Pit where tantalum ore was extracted in open cut mining until 2003. Open daily, the lookout provides one of the few opportunities in Western Australia for the public to view an operational mine site. Wheelchair and disabled access is provided at the lookout.
The Discovery Centre provides more information about the town’s history, including interactive displays and a mine walk. Greenbushes is situated at 324 metres above sea level, the highest point of the Darling scarp.
Nearby in Greenbushes is a beautiful section of the 1,000km-long Bibbulmun Track. The Greenbushes to Donnelly River section spans about 41km and traverses through lush karri forest.
Greenbushes is part of the Southern Forests and Valleys.
