Boddington WA 6390 (Pop 1 000)

Boddington is thriving rural service centre 149 km s-e of Perth. It sits on the Hotham River in the Darling Scarp region of WA. European settlers arrived in 1860s and the town, gazetted in 1912, was named after a local farmer/shepherd. The local timber industry was bolstered by the advent of the railway which operated until 1969 due to dwindling demand. Fortunately, Boddington’s economy has been dramatically rejuvenated since bauxite mining began in 1979 with the Worsely Alumina Project, followed by the Boddington Gold Mine in 1987. The mine operated until 2001 and in 2009 reopened and is set to become Australia’s largest gold mine. Burgeoning residential developments ensure a secure future for Boddington with timber, sheep and wheat remaining important local industries. Several district tours are available taking in scenic drives, remnants of nearby towns and the bauxmite mine.

Accommodation: Boddington has a hotel, motel and caravan park. Visitor Information Centre:
Cnr Bannister & Wuraming Rds. Tel (08) 9883 8004.

Airport:
Perth Airport (PER), 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport. Tel (08) 9478 8888. (120 km n-w). 

Hospital:
Boddington Hospital, Hotham Ave. Tel (08) 9883 4444.