Tambellup is located 330km south-east of Perth and 120km north of Albany on the Great Southern Highway alongside the Gordon River. Originally attracting settlers to its sandalwood supply in 1872 a town was established in 1898 and now the key industries are sheep and grain farming.
The Gordon River has flooded several times since Tambellup was established – in 1913, 1937 and major flood in 1955. The town, which prides itself by its sense of community, calls itself ‘The Town of Friendship’ and each entry into town is guarded by a famous Tambellup ‘Big Willy’, a cheerful Willy Wagtail bird made from local timbers welcoming people into town.
