About this place
Contine Hill is also a historic site with important ties to the main settlement at Dryandra located 8km to the north.
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 - the Fire Tower Walk and the Breakaway Walk - see below for more info.
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
Western Shield - The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertakes 1080 baiting at this location to reduce the impacts of feral cats and foxes on native wildlife.
Meat baits containing 1080 poison are laid in or around this area on an ongoing basis. 1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs. Pets are not permitted in this park.
For further information contact your local Parks and Wildlife Service office or visit Western Shield.
Gallery
Facilities
Barbecue
Toilet
Picnic table
Lookout/Deck
Fire ring
Activities
Bushwalking
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded within a 5km radius of Contine Hill.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Wiilman people as the Traditional Owners of Dryandra Woodland National Park.