Local Government
Manjimup
Region
South West
South Western Hwy Diamond Tree
Nelson Loc 14815
Manjimup
South West
Constructed from 1940
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 08 Dec 2016 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - To be assessed | Current | 24 Apr 2002 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Aug 2008 | Category A | |
Historic, Rarity, Scientific, Social and Representativeness
• Tall, straight Karri tree; • 54.5 m high; • Lower branches cleared for access; • Series of pegs and rungs form spiral ladder; • Safety mesh follows path of ladder; • Ladder leads to timber cabin at top of tree; • Timber platform with access steps at base of tree, and; • Nearby timber cabin, for interpretive material.
The South West karri forest region posed a special problem. There were few prominent hills and forest giants towering 70 -80m above the ground. A young forester, Don Stewart, (later to become Conservator of Forests), who in 1937 conceived the idea of using the trees themselves as Look Out Towers. One of these is the Diamond Tree, located 11 km south of Manjimup, 300m off SW Highway. The lookout was built in 1940-41, and a tree cabin was built at a height of 54.5m. The Diamond Tree was used continuously as a fire lookout until spotter planes took over the surveillance role in 1974. Between 1991-94 the Diamond Tree cabin was refurbished. Since then unsuitable weather conditions have sometimes grounded the planes, and the Diamond Tree has been used as a back up. The Diamond Tree is a popular tourist attraction. Refer to 16.6 for more historical notes
Integrity: Good Authenticity: Good
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEC Brochure: "The Hamlet Tower, a fire lookout, Manjimup Timber Park.". | Department of Environment and Conservation |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5802 | Lookouts of the Karri Country. | Report | 1993 |
Other Built Type
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | FORESTRY | Other |
| Present Use | FORESTRY | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Environmental awareness |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.