Myalup | |
|---|---|
  Myalup | |
 Interactive map of Myalup | |
| Coordinates:33°06′S115°42′E / 33.10°S 115.7°E /-33.10; 115.7 | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| LGA | |
| Location | |
| Established | 1972 |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area | |
• Total | 184.6 km2 (71.3 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 344 (SAL2021)[2] |
| Postcode | 6220 |
Myalup is a town located on the coast in theSouth West region ofWestern Australia betweenMandurah andBunbury. At the2006 census, Myalup had a population of 144.[3]
The name Myalup is a localAboriginal name for a nearby swamp (the word "mya" meaning the bark of apaperbark, which abound in the area). Prior to European settlement, theNoongar Ganeang people wandered around the eastern shores of Lake Josephine, east of the town.
The name was first recorded by Lieutenant Bunbury in 1836 as Miellup, then by a surveyor in 1849 as Myerlup.[4] The land east of theOld Coast Road was farmed principally by the Crampton and later the Manning families.[5] The pastures in the area were poor, so farmers were given a minimum of 4,000 acres (16 km2) for grazing. In around 1890, the soil in the district was found to be phosphate deficient, sosuperphosphate was introduced to the pastures. Other additives were introduced in the mid-1900s as soil technology improved.
In 1972, following demand for beachside blocks in the area, the townsite was gazetted.
Myalup is on the southern edge of theYalgorup National Park, a haven to native wildlife and bird sanctuary as well as a home tostromatolites – sedimentary rocks composed of layers of fossilised blue-green algae and one of the first lifeforms known to exist on earth. Lake Preston, the largest of the nine lakes in the park, also borders the town. The town also has a caravan park, chalets, recreation ground and store, and a white-sand beach continuous to and shared withBinningup 5 kilometres (3 mi) to the south.[6]
