Margaret River Railway Station
Opened in 1924 to service the growing population, plus the 30 Group Settlements in the district, railway was the main form of transport before better roads were built. All sorts of goods were handled including timber, livestock, dairy produce and passengers. It took some 12/14 hours to travel from Margaret River to Perth and 4 hours from Margaret River to Busselton.
Miss Agnes Higgins operated a refreshment room at the station for many years. The station area included a ticket office, goods shed, heavy duty crane, overnight quarters for train drivers and stock yards for holding farm animals. In the 1960's there were still pig and calf sales held on the station grounds operated by stock agents in Elders, Goldsborough Mort, Wesfarmers and Dalgety. As better roads were built and more efficient vehicles, both freight and passenger, the future of the railway was becoming inefficient and a necessity to close it which occurred in 1957.
Passenger buses and road freight continued after the last trains left and in the 1980's the station building was relocated to Busselton to be used as a tourist railway venture. The rest of the buildings in the goods shed were used by various groups including Bob Castle selling second hand items. Now the Margaret River Environment Centre and Organic gardens are operating here as well as the Margaret River State Emergency Services Headquarters next door. There are plans to rebuild a replica of the station building in the future.
If you would like to learn more about the local history of Margaret River, visit The Old Settlement Museum down the river.
The old school, the group settlement house, the blacksmith workshop, and many other buildings with household items, tools and machinery offer an insight into the history of early life in the district and the families that once lived and worked the land.
For opening hours and information, visit mrdhs.com.au
References
Margaret River Town 1894-1984 by Mavis Wise
Margaret River Stories by Guy Jennings, ISBN 9780646575346
A History of the Catholic Community of Margaret River District by Merilyn Hutton
Margaret River & District Historical Society photo collection
John Alferink from my recollections of the town after being in the area for over 68 years, John Alferink 2021