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MOUNT BARKER AN OVERVIEW

Mount Baker (named after Captain Collett Barker the Settlements Commandant) is located some 359 km South East of Perth and 53 km’s North of Albany on the Albany Highway.

The town is clean, tranquil, rich in history and has a population of 4,300 very friendly and helpful people.

Mount Barker is affectingly known as the Gate Way to the picturesque Porongurups Rangers which is famous for its magnificent variety of beautiful wild flowers and bushwalks which can vary from challenging for the adventurous or relaxing and education for the family.

Originally the area was renowned for its lush grazing which supports sheep, cattle and the rich soils which produce a large variety of succulent fruits.

More recently the area has been recognised for producing fine Quality Wines and rich flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oils. 


WINES OF THE AREA

The Mount Barker area is now recognised as a significant Wine Growing area in the Great Southern. The food & wine & map and guide  available at the Tourist Centers is excellent and provides details of how to get to the wineries, vineyards and restaurants in the area it includes opening times and a wealth of other information.

Wine buffs visiting the area will not be disappointed, varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Frontignon, Hermitage, Cabernet Souvignon and Pinot Noir are available.

Many prizes throughout Australia have been won by the wines of the area and as stated the varieties are varied.

Tasting the wines of the area is a must but please remember within any hour period:

• 5 standard 20ml tastes of wine will put you dangerously close to the legal limit (0.05%), or

• 4 wine tastes of 30ml will also put you dangerously close to the legal limit (0.05%)

So please ensure you have a skipper and drink responsibly.

OLIVES

Through out history the olive fruits have provided both the rich and the poor with oil, for cooking, lighting, cosmetics and medicine, while the olives pickled in brine were an important food.

The Mount Barker/Porongurups area with its Mediterranean climate is ideal for this amazing fruit which has given man kind so much throughout history.

Although a new industry to the area it is already evident that the Virgin oils being produced are award winners.

The tastes are wide and varied displaying flavours that tantalise the taste buds and make cooking exciting and delicious.

The varieties that are being grown in the area include Manzanillo, Barouni, WA Mission, Nevadillo Blance, Frontoio, Coratina and many more.

There is something about gazing over rows of these beautiful silvery green leaf trees that is both peaceful and very relaxing.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Being rich in History there are many sites well worth a visit.

• Police Station Museum built in 1867 – 68 by convict road party, originally consisted of a living quarters, a coach house and stables for the police horses.

For some reason a prison cell was not included and prisoners had to be secured to a leg of the kitchen table or a tree outside.

The police station was closed down in 1908 and fell into disrepair. It was taken over by the Plantagenet Historical Society in 1966 and after considerable hard work and dedication restored the building and re opened it to the public in 1971.

Other Historic Building include

• All Saints Church (1900)
• Old Post Office (1892) now being used as an Arts and Crafts Center
• Port Hotel (1912) which is a prominent land mark in the Main Street
• St Werburgh’s Chapel

Any visit to mount Barker would not be complete without a visit to the Stirling and Porongurups Rangers.

The wild flowers and views are fantastic.