Capel was settled very early in the history of Western Australia. In the 1830's both the first Governor, Captain James Stirling, and later his successor, Governor John Hutt, took up land in the region following the rich coastal strip and the Capel River Valley. Early prosperity also came from the fledgling timber industry in the State's Forests No 1 and 2, when the Tuart was used for railway sleepers and wagons. Capel and surrounding areas are the traditional lands of the indigenous Wardandi Nyungar people.

Today Capel and its Districts are bolstered by mineral sands mining, however the backbone and character of the area are still supported by its earliest industry, farming, and now diverse agricultural industries, including viticulture, dairy industry, dairy processing plants and blue gums. The Shire's boundaries take in the picturesque town of Boyanup, the semi-rural settlements of Stratham, Gelorup, Elgin, Gwindinup and Capel River Valley, and the beachside estates of Peppermint Grove and Dalyellup.

Boyanup town was settled (Europeans) in the 1840's by Dublin lawyer, James Bessonnet who named his farm 'Boyanup' meaning 'place of quartz' in indigenous Nyungar language.

On the 'Harvest Highway', Boyanup is a thriving and picturesque country town. Whether you are interested in sampling fruit wines and fresh fruit from the orchard, arts and crafts, hand crafted furniture or picknicking beside the Preston River, Boyanup has it all.

INDUSTRY

Mining of mineral sands has benefited the economy of the Capel Shire, which was previously a prevalent farming area. Other innovative and divergent agricultural pursuits have aided progression in the area. Tourism and sport are also becoming important enterprises in the Shire.

Agricultural pursuits include dairy, beef as well as alpacas, orchards, viticulture and aquaculture, challenge dairies, poultry farming. The Shire is popular for hobby farms and often an area selected by those who live alternative lifestyles.