Description
Contine Hill features a picnic area and lookout with spectacular views across a wide, sweeping landscape of forested hills and farmland.
Contine Hill is also a historic site with important ties to the main settlement at Dryandra located 8km to the north.
Tannin territory
During the early 1900s, natural mallet forests in the area were heavily utilised for tannins by settlers to supplement their farm income. Tannin is a naturally occurring chemical in the bark of the mallet tree and was used for tanning animal hides to make leather.
During the depression years (1930s) extensive areas of Dryandra were sown with mallet with the aid of sustenance workers. Forest Department staff were located at the Dryandra settlement and at additional outstations including Congelin and Contine Hill. These outstations were strategically located on the highest hills overlooking the mallet plantations and each had a fire tower. The overseer's wives performed the tower work, informing the staff at the settlement of any fires within the vicinity of Dryandra. After 1959, a glut on the world market increased royalty and production costs, and increased competition from synthetic products. This eventually led to the collapse of the industry in the early 1960s. The plantations then became an important source of timber. Licensed harvesting from plantation areas for timber continues today under the Dryandra Woodland Management Plan.
There are two short walk trails at Contine Hill.
Fire Tower Walk
The trail passes the remnants of two historical fire lookout towers used by 'spotters' in the summer fire season. Start from the picnic area information shelter.
Distance: 450m Time: 15 minutes Class: 2 (Well marked with uneven sections or steps. No experience required.)
Breakaway Walk
An interesting walk combining views across agricultural land with passage along and down the edge of the escarpment and through various natural plant communities. Start near the car park.
Distance: 1km (return) Time: 30 minutes Class 3 (Uneven with loose and unstable sections. A moderate level of fitness is required.)
For more information on trails visit TrailsWA.
This information was provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: dpaw.wa.gov.au
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