The Jungle Reserve & Rest Area

The Jungle is a beautiful rest area overlooking the Harvey River off South Western Highway in Harvey.

Under the shade of trees, you will find picnic tables and benches.

The Jungle is the colloquial name for this site, because of the mass of vegetation that once stood here.

When we were kids, the Jungle was a great place to play. It had creepers all over. The Jungle had been a meeting place for Harvey people for decades. Lots of courting went on there.
Graham Hough

Within The Jungle is the Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee (Noongar Knowledge Path)  – an art walk along the banks of the Harvey River. The Bindjareb people call the Harvey River, Coraigeca Bilya. It forms an important part of their Dreamtime story, where the Waugal/Waygl (snake) created the waterways and landforms in the Harvey Region and beyond.

You can also access the Stirling Cottage Garden Precinct by walking under the bridge.

The Harvey River – Coraigeca Bilya

The Bindjareb people call the Harvey River, Coraigeca Bilya. It forms an important part of their Dreamtime story, where the Waugal (snake) created the waterways and landforms in the Harvey Region and beyond.

In 1829, Governor Stirling named the river, Harvey, soon after explorers Collie and Preston discovered it. It is most likely named after his past superior officer Rear Admiral Sir John Harvey RN, Commander-in-Chief of the West Indies Station. Governor Sir James Stirling selected an area of 12,800 acres and later called it The Harvey or Harvey River Settlement. The estate was surveyed by Major Harvey, whose name was given to the river, and later the town.