Torbay catchment history
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Much of the southern part of the catchment, prior to the construction of drainage systems at the start of the 20th century, was very wet and swampy in winter and so was probably not suitable for extended habitation. The coast would have provided access to marine food sources and also possibly a corridor for travel between the areas around Princess Royal Harbour to the east and Wilson Inlet to the west.

A number of British and French explorers and whalers sailed along the south coast from the late 16th century onwards, but the area was not settled or the hinterland explored by Europeans until the British settlement was established at Albany in 1826.

Initially whaling, sealing and timber-cutting were the main activities in the Torbay area, but the construction in 1889 of the Perth to Albany railway, which enters the northern boundry of the catchment through Redmond, runs south to Torbay and then turns east to Albany, opened up the region for settlement and farming. The WA Land Company built the railway in return for grants of land, which it then tried, with limited success, to sell to immigrants as smallholdings. In 1896 the government took over the land and the railway.

When the catchment was first settled the main farming activity was market gardening, which was quite successful since the recently discovered goldfields around Kalgoorlie encouraged a huge influx of people and thus a strong demand for fresh vegetables. The existence of the railway to carry the produce to the markets in Perth and Kalgoorlie was critical to the success of this trade.

The railway was also important in the life of all the settlers: it brought supplies and mail, and until cars became common, it was the fastest way to get to Albany, with the only alternatives being horses or walking. Even in the 1930s the 20 kilometre trip by motor vehicle from Redmond, near the northern catchment boundary, to Albany, would take five hours due to the poor state of the roads.

During the 20th century cattle and sheep farming largely replaced vegetable growing as the main farming activity. More recently, tree plantations have grown in importance, with a wood-chip mill being established in the northern part of the catchment. Nearer to the coast, tourism is now a major source of income.

The early history of one property in the catchment, "Sussex Barn", can be seen in its pictorial.

The origin of some of the catchment's location names reflects the history of the region, especially the presence of the aborigines and the development of the Perth-Albany railway.

Sources:

Beattie, A.; et.al. (1977). "Torbay Coastal Research Project". unpublished report produced for the Shire of Albany.

Cooke, L. (1990). "Redmond: A History". unpublished school report.