Fact Sheets & Video - South Perth

Far from being sheepish, these farmyard animals are a fashion success story!

Australia has in excess of 110 million sheep or roughly 10% of the world sheep population. That's about 5.5 sheep to every Australian! So, where does all the wool go once these millions of sheep are shorn? Well, if the wool is really high quality, it'll go from wandering around a farmyard to strutting its stuff on the catwalk!

In January 2008 Australian merino wool featured in a top fashion show in Florence known as Project Protege. This event featured 5 up and coming fashion designers from around the world who used merino wool in their collections. Some of this wool came from Australian farms such as Springhills in WA which has 8,000 - 10,000 sheep.

Only 90 mins south of Perth, Springhills offers a unique opportunity to explore a 5000 acre working sheep and cattle family farm in the heart of the South West's Jarrah Forests. The resident Kangaroos, Goats, Emu, Maggie the magpie and Dolly the sheep are all part of the family and the kids love them! Activities are seasonally based reflecting the activities on the farm at the time. Try your hand at feeding the animals, milking the cows, sheep mustering or go fishing for yabbies - fun for all ages!

Further Information:

Quindanning, WA

Spring Hills Farm Stay

Cottages from $160 a night

08 9885 7092

www.springhills.com.au

Conditions, surcharges and block out dates may apply

For more information on wool, its uses and the industry - www.wool.com.au

Project Protege fashion project - www.awiprotegeproject.com

Western Australia Tourism - www.westernaustralia.com