Cowaramup, Western Australia

Cowaramup Western Australia
Cowaramup
Population:	988 (2006) [1]
Established:	1925
Postcode:	6284
Elevation:	140 m (459 ft)
Location:	265 km (165 mi) from Perth 36 km (22 mi) from Busselton
LGA:	Shire of Augusta-Margaret River
State District:	Vasse
Federal Division:	Forrest
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 20.5 °C 69 °F 12.6 °C 55 °F 820 mm 32.3 in

Coordinates: 33°51′05″S 115°06′21″E / 33.8514°S 115.1059°E / -33.8514; 115.1059

Cowaramup is a town in the South West of Western Australia, 12 kilometres north of Margaret River in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Name

The name Cowaramup derives its name from Cowaramup Siding, which was located near the townsite, on the now disused Busselton to Augusta railway. The townsite was gazetted in 1925, originally to support the timber and dairy industries. The name is believed to be derived from Aboriginal word "Cowara", meaning Purple-crowned Lorikeet.^[2] Locals from the region often refer to the town as 'Cowtown', a reference to the use of 'cow' in the town's name and its history of dairy farming.

Description

Cowaramup is roughly central to the Margaret River Wine Region. It is the closest townsite to a number of wineries and other specialty producers including Vasse Felix, Howard Park and Madfish Winery, the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, and The Margaret River Cheese Company. The town is close to Cowaramup Bay, a popular swimming and surfing beach. As such a large number of tourists to the region pass through and visit the town and play an important role in the local economy.

The town centre consists of a local store providing basic produce, a post office, a bakery, a fruit & veg shop, a real estate agent and farm agency, a service station/workshop, a liquor store, a social club, parkland and various specialty stores selling everything from gourmet produce, candies and arts and crafts to computing goods. Accommodation in or near the town consists of the Taunton Farm Caravan Park, a bed and breakfast and various chalets and cottages in the area. There is one restaurant and two cafes in the town as well as numerous others on nearby winery properties. The town has one primary and pre-primary school, a town oval and tennis club, BMX track and a bowling green. The nearest high school and university campuses are in Margaret River. Police and fire services are based in Margaret River and Busselton.

Most residents live in the townsite and surrounding rural properties, including one remaining dairy farm. The local government administration is the Margaret River Shire Council and the local newspapers are the Augusta Margaret River Times and the Augusta Margaret River Mail. The town is built on Noongar Aboriginal traditional land.

Transport

Cowaramup is located on the Bussell Highway, which serves as the major link to other towns in the area, as well as Perth, the state capital.

Development

The area around Cowaramup is predominantly agricultural/viticulture use, but over the last five years many land releases have proven popular for the many young families and tradesmen who benefited greatly from the building boom in 2005-06.

See also

• Margaret River (wine region)
• Margaret River, Western Australia

References

1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Cowaramup (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=SSC53591&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2007-11-17. 
2. ^ Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names". http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/History+of+country+town+names. Retrieved 2007-06-08.