Yallingup, Western Australia

Yallingup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, 256 kilometres (159 mi) south of Perth. Yallingup is a popular tourist destination because of its beaches and limestone caves, and proximity to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Yallingup
Western Australia
Yallingup town
Yallingup is located in Western Australia
Yallingup
Yallingup
Map
Coordinates33°38′S 115°02′E / 33.64°S 115.03°E / -33.64; 115.03
Population1,195 (SAL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)6282
Area75.3 km2 (29.1 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)City of Busselton
State electorate(s)Vasse
Federal division(s)Forrest

History and industry

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Yallingup's name means "Place of caves" in the local Aboriginal Wardandi dialect, with "yal" meaning "large hole"; the name has been rumoured to mean "place of love" due to the popularity of weddings and honeymoons in the town.[2][3] After its caves were discovered by European settlers in 1899, Yallingup became popular with tourists,[4] and its early infrastructure was photographed by Coyarre.[5][6] There was a state primary school in Yallingup from 1905 to 1963; the site now contains a Steiner school.[7][8] Around 1920, the Yallingup Hall, which was previously a school building in Karridale, was moved to the townsite and reassembled.[9] Tourism and viticulture are Yallingup's primary industries.[10][4]

Geography and climate

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Yallingup is located 256 kilometres (159 mi) south of Perth and 34 kilometres (21 mi) west of Busselton in Western Australia's South West region. Yallingup experiences a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa/Csb). Residents and visitors experience moderate temperatures, with an average maximum temperature of 22 °C (72 °F) and a minimum of 11 °C (52 °F).

Tourist attractions

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Smiths Beach and Canal Rocks

The beaches of Yallingup, such as Three Bears, Yallingup, Smiths Beach (including Supertubes), and Injidup, are well known surfing locations, and are also suitable for fishing.[4]

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park houses Canal Rocks, a coastal rock formation, and limestone caves, such as Ngilgi Cave (formerly called Yallingup Cave).[11]

The Cape to Cape Track runs across the beach to the west of the town and Yallingup is one of the few towns located along the track.[12]

Injidup Beach contains Injidup Natural Spa, also known as Wyadup Spa, a natural rock pool.[2][13]

Smiths Beach

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Smiths Beach has been the site of multiple extended proposals for development[14] that have eventuated in political scandals.[15][16] A Smiths Beach development project was a subject of a Corruption and Crime Commission investigation in 2007, investigating former WA Premier Brian Burke and lobbyists Julian Grill and Noel Crichton-Browne, who lobbied the state government on behalf of developers. The Corruption and Crime Commission report concluded the Canal Rocks developer secretly paid more than $47,000 to candidates including Shire of Busselton Councillors Anne Ryan, Phillippa Reid, and John Triplett, in the Shire Council election and by-election in 2005. Funds were channelled to candidates via a local action group, in an attempt to delay revision to the town planning scheme so the development could be assessed under less strict conditions.[17][18][19]

Flora and fauna

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Flora

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Yallingup is home to many different types of bushland and wildlife. The surrounding area is made up of wet sclerophyllous[20][failed verification] forest. Yallingup is a biodiversity hotspot that includes the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecoregions of Western Australia.

Fauna

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The Yallingup region is home to a diverse range of species including the western grey kangaroo and over 70 types of birds, creating a healthy ecosystem for the many mammals, reptiles and aviaries.[20] To maintain wildlife population the Western Australia government has placed sanctuary zones and nature reserves where minimal human life and impact can occur.[21]

 
Western grey kangaroos

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Yallingup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  2. ^ a b "Yallingup". Australia's South West. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  3. ^ Verass, Sophie (10 August 2016). "Indigenous meanings of Australian town names". NITV. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Yallingup". Tourism Western Australia. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  5. ^ "YALLINGUP CAVES HOUSE". Western Mail. Vol. XIX, no. 964. Western Australia. 18 June 1904. p. 30. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "The coach starting from Busselton to the caves". Western Mail. Vol. XVII, no. 846. Western Australia. 15 March 1902. p. 24. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "WA Schools Gazetteer" (PDF). Geoproject Solutions. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Steiner School". Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Yallingup Hall". Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  10. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Yallingup (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 August 2019.  
  11. ^ "Yallingup". GeographeBay.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  12. ^ "Cape to Cape Track - Track Facts". 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  13. ^ Webster, Simon. "10 natural spas that won't cost you a cent". Tourism Australia. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  14. ^ Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority. (2009) Sussex location 413 , Yallingup - Smiths Beach : development guide plan : Canal Rocks Pty Ltd. / report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority. Perth, W.A. : Environmental Protection Authority Series Report / Environmental Protection Authority, 1836-0483 ; 1318
  15. ^ Account of 1000-strong crowd that met at Smith's Beach to oppose the proposed real estate development. Busselton-Margaret times, 1 Feb. 2001, p.4-5,
  16. ^ Turner, Robert.(2001) Kierath : I did not up the density at Smiths. Planning Minister, Kierath, says he did not influence the change of conditions that allowed greater developments at Smith's Beach in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Statement of Planning Policy. Busselton-Margaret times, 8 Feb. 2001, p.1,
  17. ^ Western Australia. Corruption and Crime Commission. (2007) Report on the investigation of alleged public sector misconduct linked to the Smiths Beach development at Yallingup (Smiths Beach report) Perth, W.A. : Corruption and Crime Commission "This report relates only to allegations of public sector misconduct linked to the Smiths Beach development. It examines the efforts of Canal Rocks Pty Ltd and its consultants in seeking to influence the Council, public service officers and politicians to support the development." ISBN 0-9775105-9-X
  18. ^ Western Australia. Corruption and Crime Commission.(2009) Supplementary report on the investigation of alleged public sector misconduct linked to the Smiths Beach development at Yallingup Perth, W.A. : Corruption and Crime Commission, ISBN 978-0-9805051-6-0
  19. ^ "Cloud over Busselton Shire following corruption inquiry". ABC News. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Native Flora - SouthWest Wildlife Habitats". www.southwestwildlifehabitats.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Australia's South West | Explore Parks WA | Department of Parks and Wildlife". parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
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