Harvey
The well-known town of Harvey, right on the Harvest Highway, enjoys a varied history and industrial heritage and is a great place to visit and explore..
Famous for its meat, its oranges and its dairy industry, Harvey is also host to a burgeoning wine industry, as you will see as you approach this regional town. Driving into Harvey from any direction, the peaceful grazing cows are interspersed with paddocks devoted to the production of grapes, ready for the transformation into the fine wines produced in this area.
Speaking of food and wine, you will also find a good range of restaurants, cafes and eating places where you can eat, drink and make merry within the townsite. Using the distinctive local produce, these places will be sure to sustain you as you explore Harvey.
Harvey has an interesting history, and there are numerous historic sites in the area to visit and enjoy. One of the early settlements in Western Australia, Harvey was valued for its rich soils, its abundant water and mild climate as a prime spot for the development of agriculture.
Since its early days the Harvey district has been associated with a number of prominent people, such as Sir James Stirling, the first governor of Western Australia and May Gibbs, creator of the famous “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie” . The visitor can find a number of references to these famous citizens as you explore Harvey and its environs.
Harvey has had a large Italian population, who have made a significant contribution to the industries that have made Harvey so well-known. It is worth a visit to the Italian Internment Shrine, which is just on the highway near to the Visitor Centre to understand the impact of these people on Harvey’s growth.
So there is plenty in Harvey to satisfy the history buffs, but there’s heaps more for people to see and do. The vibrancy of the area, with its great diversity lends itself to lots of festivals and events throughout the year, which celebrate Harvey, its lifestyle, its heritage and its people.
Now, if you are into outdoor living and breathing in clean fresh air, Harvey has a number of opportunities for you to enjoy. The huge Harvey Dam has recently reopened and has brought with it some great activities for those who enjoy the outdoors, similar to those facilities on offer at the nearby Stirling Dam The area around the dam now houses a huge amphitheatre which is used to host some wonderful concerts, as well as the barbecues and tables for those who enjoy picnics (and don’t we all!?). And to work up an appetite , try one of the nearby bushwalks, or bring your canoe and have a vigorous paddle on the dam. You might even have a go at fishing and try to catch your lunch/meal if you are visiting the Dam in season.
There is so much more to Harvey- a visit to the town will reveal some very interesting and different shops, well worth a browse. And whilst you are wandering through, take a look at some of the colourful artwork that features in the town.
For more information, why not pop into the visitor centre, situated just north of the town, right on the Harvest Highway. The staff at the Centre will delight in telling g you more about Harvey and will be able to give you directions to the many places of interest in and around the town.
The Harvey Visitor Centre can be contacted on phone 97291122, fax 9729 2887: or email: info@harveytourism.com, or visit the website: www.harveytourism.com.
