Harvey: Art, History and Leisure at Harvey Dam

Harvey offers several distinct visitor experiences: art by the river, walking trails linked to May Gibbs, recreational activities at Harvey Dam and places of remembrance. If you’re looking for a hotel in Harvey, this mix can help you decide what you’d like to shape your stay. Each destination offers a different focus—whether a trail, the water, a viewing platform or an exhibition. This makes it easy to explore Harvey according to your own cultural and leisure interests.

Art, Walking Trails and May Gibbs

The Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee, also known as the Noongar Knowledge Path, is an art walk along the Harvey River. Ten original artworks by the local Noongar community are located along the trail. You can begin your walk at either the Stirling Cottage Gardens or The Jungle on the South Western Highway in Harvey.

The short May Gibbs Trail follows the edge of the Stirling Cottage Gardens along the Harvey River. You can enjoy a leisurely walk through the gardens and learn more about May Gibbs. The trail focuses on the author.

Another May Gibbs stop is the Harvey Railway Station Precinct and Museum 1890s. It features an exhibition recalling the time the author of Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie spent in Harvey. The trail explores the theme on a short walk, while the exhibition at the museum highlights the author’s connection to Harvey.

Water and Views

At Harvey Dam, non-motorised paddling and time on shore go hand in hand: visitors can paddle a kayak or canoe, but motorboats are not permitted. Facilities include walking paths and picnic areas with shelters and barbecue facilities. You can choose between an on-water activity and a break at one of the picnic areas.

The Big Orange stands on a ten-metre-high tower. A further climb of four metres and 62 steps leads to an internal viewing platform. The height of the tower and the climb to the platform are separate details: the tower is ten metres high, while the additional climb is described as four metres and 62 steps. Inside, you can also view information about Harvey’s history and photographs.

Remembrance and History

The Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine has been a place of prayer, remembrance and education for more than 80 years. Visitors can explore exhibitions that tell the story of the internment camp and the shrine. A visit brings together the shrine’s roles and exhibitions about its history and that of the internment camp.

As a guide to choosing what to see, you can consider Harvey by type of visit and theme: the Noongar path and the May Gibbs Trail offer different walking themes, while Harvey Dam combines paddling and picnic areas. The Big Orange pairs the climb described above with a viewing platform; at the shrine, prayer, remembrance and education are central. This lets you choose what to visit according to your interests during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Wellington Mill, Spalding, Brigadoon, Chidlow, Meekatharra, Lower Chittering, Schroeder, Mindarie

For the broader travel guide: Western Australia.