Bridgetown is located 95 km south of Bunbury and 268 km south of Perth. Bridgetown is a wonderful historic town nestled amongst the hills and located on the banks of the Blackwood River. Basically a timber town it has become a favourite place to stay. Literally located in the centre of the South-West, you are close to forests and National Parks, wineries, heritage walks and trails, and some of the state’s most stunning heritage buildings.

Many fine old buildings have been restored to their former glory, including the post office, old goal, police quarters and "Bridgedale", the home built in 1862 by one of the areas first settlers, John Blechynden. Bridgetown is the only town given ‘Historic Town’ status by the National Trust of Australia.

Bridgetown has been the site of several bridges across the Blackwood. The most recent was built in 1981 and is the last of the large wooden bridges to be built in Western Australia. It is the colossal jarrah structure stretching 127.5 metres.

Bridgetown is renowned for its gardens and hosts the annual Festival of Country Gardens.

Bridgetown’s other attractions include The Brierley Jigsaw Gallery, Bridgetown Jarrah Park, Suttons Lookout, Blackwood Environment Centre, the River Park, scenic drives and walk trails.

Bridgetown boasts 2 art galleries, 3 wineries, a cidery, cafes, restaurants, a range of accommodations from bed and breakfast to self contained accommodations.

Bridgetown climate is beautiful in the Summer with temperatures averaging the high 20's but  although there is still plenty of sun around in winter it gets rather cold and wet! Perfect snuggle weather! 

So whether you like it hot or a little cooler the weather is ideal for holidays in our beautiful region most of the year round, so planning a holiday is made so much easier.

“Geegelup” was the name by which the area was well known before the name “Bridgetown” was adopted. (The name was probably taken from the local Aboriginal term for the fresh water crustaceans found in the local brook. The local tribe called these “guglies” and incorporated them into their diet. Other people changed this term to “gilgies”). The town was proclaimed on 4th June 1868 as “Geegelup”. Because the barque “Bridgetown” loaded some of the town’s wool at Bunbury and due to the bridge across the Blackwood River, pioneer John Allnutt wrote to the colony’s authorities requesting that the town, henceforth be called “Bridgetown”. This was carried out and the name stuck by the early 1870’s.

Bridgetown is the oldest town in the South-West. The first settlers to the Bridgetown area were E. Hester and John Blechynden in 1857. The township of Bridgetown was built on land then owned by John Blechynden and gazetted in 1868. In 1861 convicts formed and maintained the section of road from Donnybrook to Bridgetown, opening up the region and encouraging settlers and the development of the tourist trade to Bridgetown in 1898.

In the period between 1850 and 1885 the town ship saw the building of many of the buildings still standing today including our current Post Office and two of the town’s hotels. During the gold boom days and federation, Bridgetown prospered. “and saw a considerable increase in settlement of the region. This vibrant period saw the construction of a number of significant civic, commercial and industrial buildings, including the” Police station and Lockup Keepers Quarters”(reference from Trust News 2001) circa 1907, which was granted conservation funds in 1999-2000 as part of the historical precinct.