Dandaragan The District That Has a Lot.
Dandaragan combines productive agricultural land, historic townships, wildflower country, coastal recreation and growing renewable energy developments. Visitors can explore local heritage, seasonal wildflowers and some of Western Australia’s most picturesque rural landscapes while staying at Redgum Village.
Dandaragan enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters.
Why Contractors Choose Dandaragan
- Central to regional projects
- Easy access from Perth
- Ample road transport access
- Close to energy developments
- Near major agricultural operations
- Strategic location for crew accommodation
Dandaragan Township and Redgum Village
- 20 kilometres east of Cataby,
- 33km west of Moora, “the heart of the Central Midlands”.
- 160km north of Perth CBD
- 260km Geraldton
Why Redgum Village is the Preferred Accommodation Base for Regional Projects
100 Rooms
- Capacity to accommodate individuals, small teams and large project crews.
Fresh Meals Prepared Daily
- Breakfast, crib lunch options and evening meals.
Experienced With Workforce Accommodation
- Supporting working crews for more than 25 years.
Flexible Booking Options
- Short-term, project-based and long-term accommodation arrangements.
Located In The Centre Of Growing Energy And Infrastructure Activity
- Within easy reach of major regional projects throughout the Dandaragan district.
Dandaragan is a small town of around 195 people which can fluctuate to 295 when Redgum Village is at capacity. (approx 2000 when add in local farmers and other Dandaragan based industries.)
Entry to the Dandaragan Redgum Village from the southern end is via the first driveway on your left after the 60km speed limit, where you will see a sign “Dandaragan Accommodation Redgum Village”.
Built primarily for the working crews whom have projects in the Dandaragan Moora Region. Travellers, families or even wedding guests are also common guests here.
Work or pleasure, Dandaragan Redgum Village will supply the style of accommodation and meals package to suit your needs.
Places to Visit in the Dandaragan Region.
Regan’s Ford
Regan’s Ford is a pleasant, shady picnic spot on the bank of the Moore River about 200 metres from the Brand Highway, adjacent to the Regan’s Ford Bridge. It is the site of the an old stone crossing which was constructed in 1876 for Walter Padbury, an early settler who had taken up land further north in the early 1850s.
Padbury needed an all-weather crossing so that his bullock teams could carry produce from his property, ‘Yathroo’, south to market and return with stores and other needs. Edward Regan who lived on the nearby property, ‘Happy Valley’, built it with the help of a group of local Aborigines.
In spite of the success of this ford there were times when the winter flooding was such that the river was still impassable to smaller traffic, and even after it was bituminised in later years. This was finally rectified in 1959 with the construction of the modern Regan’s Ford Bridge.
Moore River
This river was named after George Fletcher Moore, Swan River settler, explorer, foundation member of the colony’s Legislative Council in 1832, and later, its Advocate-General. He visited the area in 1836 during an exploratory search for pasture, but pronounced it too far from the Swan River Colony for development at that time.
According to a legend belonging to the Yuat [Aboriginal] tribal group: In the creation time, the earth was flat and featureless. WAKAL, the water serpent rose up from the earth and began his long journey from the north. He came down through Watheroo and Moora, carving out the bed of the river as he went.
On his back he carried fish, water snakes, gilgies, turtles and all the creatures of the river. When WAKAL got to MOGUMBER he turned sharply west, gouging out deep holes which today are the deepest pools in the river, which the Nyungars call ‘MUR’ and the white people call the ‘Moore’.
Cataby
Cataby is a very small township on the Brand Highway about 32 kilometres north of Regan’s Ford and 160 kilometres north of Perth. It was originally known as West Dandaragan. Mineral sands mining began here in 1989.
It is a convenient refreshment stop. There are two roadhouses – the Ampol Roadhouse, which is open 24 hours a day and the BP Roadhouse, two kilometres further north and adjacent to the Cataby Hotel. Both roadhouses provide a range of facilities [including food items, refreshments, fuel, etc] and picnic areas for visitors.
The name comes from Dandara Spring, which was so named in 1849 by another explorer, Augustus Charles Gregory. It is the regional centre of the district and the seat of the Dandaragan Shire Council. This is an excellent example of a small Western Australian country town and it has several interesting historic buildings which are worthy of a visit.
St Anne’s Church,
Moora-Caro Road, Dandaragan [south of township]
This charming Anglican church, constructed between 1885 and 1887, was named after May Anne Nairn, mother of Walter Padbury’s wife, Charlotte. There is also an early well-site nearby.
Shire CRC, Dandaragan Road, Dandaragan
A much more modern building in the town is the Shire Office and Chambers. The Dandaragan area was part of the Victoria Plains Road Board District from 1871 to 1890 when the Dandaragan Road Board was formed. In 1961 it became a shire under a new Local Government Act of 1961.
Wolba Cottage or Aggie’s Cottage, ‘Wolba Wolba’, Badgingara Road, Dandaragan
Now owned by the Shire, Aggie’s Cottage is used by local historical and craft groups. This brick, stone and iron cottage was erected around 1871 on land which was originally taken up by Thomas Jones. The surrounding area also became an important campsite during World War II when the army carried out extensive training exercises in the district.
Informative Document on Dandaragan Shire Here
