History
The Beginning
The Shire of Dandaragan offers the best of both worlds - the bush and the beach. Plus it's all within your reach. The towns of Jurien Bay, Cervantes, Badgingarra, Dandaragan and Regans Ford are all in the Shire of Dandaragan.
Just imagine beautiful white sand and gorgeous turquoise water or the peace and tranquility of nature when inland.
We are home to the Pinnacles but don't forget our other tourist attractions such as the National Parks, walk trails, wildflowers, lookouts, natural beaches and heritage buildings.
Dandaragan
The name Dandaragan is derived from the title of a watering hole, 9km north of the present townsite of Dandaragan, called "Dandaraga" Spring, which, according to local Aboriginal language, meant "good kangaroo" country.
The first recorded land lease was granted to William Brockman of Gingin, who in 1848 took out a 6000 acre lease at "Muchamulla" Spring, 6 miles east of Regans Ford. Brockman later abandoned this lease in favour of a 4000 acre lease at "Yatheroo" Spring. From this time on, the Shire of Dandaragan was gradually settled as more pastoral leases were granted.
Badgingarra
The name Badgingarra was Aboriginal in origin, 'Badgin' meaning Manna Gum which grew in the surrounding flats and 'garra' meaning water. While the Hill River area at Badgingarra was initially surveyed in the 1880's and the first freehold land purchased by William McNamara in 1895, it remained largely isolated and undeveloped.
It was not until the early 1950's that this sense of isolation began to change and in September 1952 the then Midland Railway Company auctioned some 24,000 acres. The Lands Department made further releases in subsequent years, and was in such demand that interviews were conducted to determine the most suitable applicants.
Cervantes
Situated approximately 250km north of Perth, Cervantes derived its name from an American whaling ship which had been wrecked within that vicinity on 10th July 1844.
There was a general lack of interest in Cervantes prior to World War II but subsequently became a base along the coastline for crayfishermen. The first person to consider settling in Cervantes was Max Beissel who in the 1950's fished off shore and delivered to a freezer boat moored in the sheltered Ronsard Bay.
Jetties were constructed in 1962 by Tropical Traders and in 1967 by the Cervantes Export Processing Company and from this Cervantes was gradually opened up culminating in 1962 when the Department of Land Surveys excised 505 hectares of the Nambung Reserve to establish a townsite for people engaged in the crayfishing industry.
Jurien Bay
Situated 257 km north of Perth, the townsite of Jurien Bay was first gazetted in 1956. The name of Jurien Bay was initially assigned from the French explorer Captain Baudin in 1801 in honour of Charles Marie Vicomte Jurien, the Naval Administrator in the French Government at that time.
As early as the late 1850's the Governor was petitioned to develop a port along the Dandaragan coastline and in 1865 James Harding, the Fremantle Harbourmaster was commissioned to survey both Cockleshell Gully and Jurien Bay for their suitability as a port facility. He in turn recommended the latter because of its deeper water and protected anchorage. A 100 foot jetty was finally constructed in 1885.
Farming and crayfishing proved to be compatible activities in that their respective seasons tended to complement one another and a number of farmers began to work as both crayfishermen and farmers. Processing plants were established in the 1960's and the town is now a popular holiday destination.
Want to know more about the History of Dandaragan?
Purchase "PLATEAU, PLAIN AND COAST – A HISTORY OF DANDARAGAN" at a cost of $25.00 (plus $4.00 postage).
Contact: council@dandaragan.wa.gov.au and leave your details.