The Southern Forests and Valleys region will come alive this April as communities across the Southwest unite to celebrate their shared history and culture through the Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival 2026.
Running from April 18 to 26, the festival invites visitors to step back in time and experience the stories, places, and traditions that have shaped this unique part of Western Australia.
Spanning ten towns, the festival features a diverse program of historic tours, heritage walks, workshops, open days, exhibitions, and live demonstrations. Each community will showcase its own local stories and attractions, offering something for all ages and interests.
In Balingup, the Small Farm Field Day will celebrate rural traditions with sheep dog trials and craft displays. Boyup Brook will host a Classic Cars Open Day and highlight its award-winning District Pioneers Museum. Bridgetown will offer a glimpse into the past at the Police Station and Orcharding Museum, along with a vintage movie matinee and the Anzac Heroes Talk.
Donnybrook will share its agricultural and industrial heritage through the Historical Society Museum, while Greenbushes will open its Discovery Centre to showcase the town’s timber and mining history. In Manjimup, visitors can explore the region’s timber industry and early settlement through exhibitions, guided tours, and the immersive Manjimup Dark Corners experience.
Further south, Nannup will feature its Open Air Museum and oral history trail, Northcliffe will highlight the Pioneer Museum and Understory Art & Nature Trail, and the Karri Cup MTB Challenge will celebrate decades of local sporting heritage. Pemberton will mark the Pemberton Hotel Centenary Celebration and open its museum to explore early settler history, while Walpole will invite visitors to walk among ancient forests on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk and see the Giant Tingle Tree.
More than just a series of events, the Heritage Festival is a celebration of community spirit. It brings together local historians, volunteers, artists, businesses, and community groups to share their stories and showcase the region’s identity.
The festival is coordinated by the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils and the Southern Forests & Valleys tourism brand, uniting ten towns under one regional program. This collaborative approach encourages visitors to travel between destinations, discovering the landscapes, communities, and heritage that define the region.
From rolling hills and historic townsites to ancient forests and cultural landmarks, the Southern Forests & Valleys offers a heritage experience like no other. Organisers are encouraging visitors to take their time, travel safely, and “stop and enjoy the history” as they explore the festival trail.
The Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival is part of the Australian Heritage Festival, connecting the region to a national celebration of culture, history, and place.
For the full program and travel information, visit southernforestsandvalleys.com/southern-forests-valleys-heritage-festival.
