DARDANUP Dardanup (another up) is the next town encounted when traveling north from Albany and heading to Bunbury. In fact Bunbury is the next place after Dardanup. Dardanup is now a by-pass town, and when one includes the close proximity of Bunbury it is clear why from an economic perspective the town is struggling. The area was first settled in 1852 by Thomas Little who named his property Dardanup Park. The word Dardanup is believed to be a variation of the Indigenous Australian word Dudingup the meaning of which is unknown. Dardanup is located in the fertile Ferguson valley and is close to the Ferguson River. Although Dardanup is a struggling economic community there is ample evidence that heritage factors are important. Thomas Little later gave land to the Catholic Church and a community was soon established in the locale. The government acquired land in the area in the 1920s and the townsite was gazetted in 1923. The Dardanup War Memorial is cited by the towns admin centre. The Dardanup Anglican Church is over 100 years old. The Catholic Church is approaching 150 years in service. The Catholic Church is of local and historic significance. The Dardanup Hotel likewise is a very old licensee and is the classic tavern design pub. Boyanup, a town 10k to the south of Dardanup has a heritage museum that may interest the traveler. The Fettler Memoriam likewise is worth a mention. Dardanup and Boyanup have a little to offer, but if the timing is right for a refreshment give some consideration for a look over.