Mullalyup, Western Australia

Mullalyup
Western Australia
The state heritage listed Blackwood Inn in Mullalyup
Mullalyup
Coordinates33°44′S 115°57′E / 33.74°S 115.95°E / -33.74; 115.95
Population149 (SAL 2021)
Established1901
Postcode(s)6252
Elevation133 m (436 ft)
Area82.7 km2 (31.9 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
State electorate(s)Warren-Blackwood
Federal division(s)Forrest
Localities around Mullalyup:
Kirup Kirup Grimwade
Brazier Mullalyup Balingup
Cundinup Southampton Balingup

Mullalyup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, situated between Kirup and Balingup on the South Western Highway, 231 kilometres (144 mi) south of Perth. The town is in the shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, known for its scenic Blackwood River Valley and agricultural industries.

The name is taken from the nearby Mullalyup Brook, and was first noted by John Forrest in 1866. It is Noongar in origin, and apparently means "nose place", as the place where nose-piercing was performed as part of the initiation cycle of young men. Mullalyup and the Shire of Donnybrook–Balingup are located on the traditional land of the Wardandi people of the Noongar nation.

The first Europeans to settle in the area were the Coverley family who took land close to the town and named their farm "Elm Grove". The first major building in the town was the Blackwood Inn, built in 1882 by John Coverley for Thomas Maslin.

During the 1890s the town was included as a siding in the construction of the railway line from Donnybrook to Bridgetown.

The town site was gazetted in 1901.