The name Kukerin is thought to be a combination of the names of two sandalwood cutters – Cooke and Ring, omitting the ‘g’.
By about the mid 1870s John Holland (Hollands Track) had taken up a pastoral lease of 9,000 acres at Merilup Spring and established a sandalwood depot. Following this period, much of the surrounding area was opened up by the sandalwood cutters.
In 1904 the Rabbit Proof Fence was commenced, a huge undertaking from north of Yalgoo to Point Anne in the south.
The arrival of the railway line to Merilup (later renamed Kukerin) was a bonus for settlers. On 7th September 1928 the Kukerin Hotel began trading and is still operating to this present day providing drinks, meals and accommodation.
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