April 18-20, 2024
Kukerin – Population 66, a town in the Shire of Dumbleyung – from Tourism WA:
Originally known as Merilup Spring, John Holland took up a pastoral lease of 9,000 acres and established a sandalwood depot here in the mid 1870s. Much of the surrounding area was then opened up by sandalwood cutters, including two gentlemen called Cooke and Ring, whose names are thought to be the inspiration for the town’s modern name.
The Hotel was built in 1928 and the town grew around it; today the hotel has recently been taken over by the community as it was no longer viable as a private commercial operation. The town has a primary school, General Store and Agricultural Merchant; the town garage has recently been sold and was not operational at the time of our visit but 24 hour fuel is available at the Store complex.
The Council have constructed a great little Caravan Park with 12 powered sites and toilets and showers, a Dump Point is in the adjacent Sports Oval complex. A cost of $15/night or $90 a week makes it a cheap stopover for a couple of nights or more. At the time of our stay there were a couple of other travellers and about 4 contractors working locally.
It’s a small detour off the main road to visit here but a worthwhile stop for a couple of nights.
A stroll around town including these colourful windmills made from old bicycle wheels:
A walk around town and the oval (Nenke Park – named after a prominent local pioneer family) revealed the site of the Kukerin WA Creek Bed Championships and Burnout Competition held on the September long Weekend each year; Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/206829445092/
They have a dedicated camping area for the event all within a large site behind the Oval.
