Local Government
Denmark
Region
Great Southern
Denmark
Torbay-Denmark Railway and Denmark-Nornalup Railway Phase 1 - 4092 Phase 2 - 14537/14133/11447/5467/14635/14534
Torbay-Denmark Rlwy - Denmark-Nornalup Rlwy
Denmark
Great Southern
Constructed from 1929, Constructed from 1896
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Jun 2011 | Exceptional Significance | |
The railways were significant in the creation of the Denmark townsite for the timber industry and as transport before roads were built. The sites (tracks) are associated with the movement of timber goods and people within the Shire. The Torbay-Denmark Railway was constructed by the Millar Brothers Timber Company to transport the timber felled in the Denmark area to market. Markets were found for the timber in England as street block pavers. In 1929, after the Denmark district expanded with many Group Settlers, a railway was built between Denmark and Nornalup. The 61km line opened up timber, dairying and potato country after taking nearly two years to complete. The railway became a vital link for the isolated group settlement communities. Fishermen also used the service by freighting their catch from places like Parry Beach. With the increased use of motor vehicles and better roads, the railway became less used, finally resulting in the closure of the service in 1957. Today the railway lines cannot be found as most have been dismantled. However, roads and tracks often follow the old routes and many have become part of the heritage trails in the Denmark district.
There are various lengths of disused railway tracks throughout the Shire of Denmark from Hay River to Nornalup.
There were three phases of railway construction. The first, during the Millars’ Timber milling era, was built between Torbay and Denmark in c1896. The second era started in 1929 when the railway between Denmark and Nornalup was built. While the lines are no longer evident as they have been removed since closure in 1957, many roads/tracks have been built on these routes.
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| R McGuinness;"Elleker-Denmark_Nornalup: The railway extended west but never met." | Cinnamon Coloureds-Denmark WA | 2007 |
Other Built Type
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Rail: Other |
| Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Rail & light rail transport |
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.