Donnybrook is a town situated between Boyanup and Kirup on the South Western Highway, 210 kilometres (130.49 miles) south of Perth, Western Australia. The town is the centre of apple production in Western Australia.
Donnybrook has many town icons bearing the apple. On the main street, apple-shaped lights line the entrance of the Old Railway Station. These lights have recently been restored. Atop the east Donnybrook hill is a 20 metres (65.62 feet) high tower with an apple at the top. The apple is part of The Big Apple Tourist & Wildlife Park, and from the top of the apple, visitors can view Donnybrook and its surrounding areas. The Lady William big apple is made of fibreglass and is 7.5 metres tall with a diameter of 6.5 metres.
The Apple FunPark, the largest free-entry playground in Australia, opened in Easter 2008 in time for the Donnybrook Apple Festival. The fruit-themed park has play equipment and an adult exercise area.
The Old Goldfields Orchard & Cider Factory houses a small museum that documents the rise and fall of the goldfield. The Hunters Venture poppet head has been re-built above the original mine shaft, and the Mount Cara adit is open for tourists' inspection.
Apple Festival
Every two years the Donnybrook Apple Festival is held during Easter. The next festival is in 2010. During the apple festival, the citizens of Donnybrook gather at Egan Park to celebrate the apple. The festival includes agricultural displays, sideshow alley, the crowning of the Apple Queen and a parade. During the street parade the Catholic Church of Donnybrook blesses the holy apple, assuring a good harvest in the years to come.
