Leaving Collie we headed to Donnybrook via Mumballup and Lowden stopping to experience the old ‘Mumby Pub’ on the way. What a beautiful run it was into Donnybrook down the Preston River Valley with some great looking river flats that looked like they could produce anything, but mostly we passed Orchards. Located on the banks of the Preston River, Donnybrook is surrounded by forests, rivers and rolling hills which support grazing, fruit and vegetable growing, olive groves, marron farming and wineries. Donnybrook was originally settled by 5 Irishmen in 1894. The area, like Collie, was originally founded on timber production with mills scattered throughout the forest. With the influx of miners during the gold rush of the late 1890’s, Donnybrook prospered. In about 1890 the Chapman Family imported an apple tree which produced fantastic green apples.
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