Wansbeck Valley

The Wansbeck Valley is a valley and region located in North-Western Fortuse.

History
The Wansbeck Valley was first explored in 1852, at what is now known as Eckston.

An unidentified explorer's journal says the following:"'A month after leaving Hurstville we came to a desert on the Western Coast of the island. Great sandstorms flared up, and this terrible coast was inhospitable. We headed North from here, and came to a river. Across the river, the land was beautiful and green, and great rocky hills towered in the North. We stayed the night here in this 'valley'."The first settlers came to the area in 1859, and settled in the valley.

Wansbeck Valley Road was built in 1879, and connected Eckston to Werhnerville. The two towns were not connected to the rest of Fortuse by road.

In 1894, the Wernher Coast Road was built from Werhnerville to Streamton, the last section incorporating much of the original Wansbeck Valley Road. The rest of the original road became a turnoff to Eckston.

In 1943, the Wernher Coast Road was upgraded and became the Wernher Highway.

Eckston
Eckston is the largest town in the Wansbeck Valley, with a population of 798. Eckston is home to the Wansbeck Valley Shire Council offices, a supermarket and a post office.

Wansbeck
Wansbeck is a minor town located across the Wansbeck River. It is the second-largest town in the region, with a population of 412. Wansbeck is located just 5 kilometres from Eckston.

Garben
Garben is a minor town located in the North-East of the Valley. It is the third-largest town in the region, with a population of 247 people.

Coolong Creek
Coolong Creek is a small locality in the centre of the Valley. It is located 28 kilometres from Eckston.

Mount Werswral
Mount Werswral is a large remote locality, home to the Mount Werswral National Park. The locality covers rough timbered mountainous terrain, traversed by Mount Werswral Road. It is located 77 kilometres from Eckston and 49 kilometres from Coolong Creek.

Thorpewag
Thorpewag is the northernmost town in the Shire of Wansbeck Valley, although it is located 73 kilometres from the nearest border. The small remote locality has a population of 37, which is spread across the area. The town is located 117 kilometres by road from Eckston, via Coolong Creek Road and the unsealed Mount Werswral National Park. The area is bounded by the Werswral Range to the South and West, and the Brooknola Range to the North and East.