Northam main street

Northam WA 6401 (Pop 6 300)
Pic: by Sean Mack

Northam is an important rural centre and one of the Central Wheatbelt region’s earliest settlements (1830s). Located 96 km n-e of Perth, this attractive Avon Valley town sits on the Avon River which is home to large numbers of protected white swans. As the black swan is WA’s emblem, white swans are rare here with this being their only natural breeding ground in Australia. The area is also well suited to hot air ballooning. Vintage on Avon (Mar), Avon Descent (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Northam includes Morby Cottage (1836), Old Railway Station Museum (1884), Buckland Homestead (1874), St John’s Church (1885), Town Hall (1898), Mitchell House (1905). Morby Cottage Museum, Avon Dr home of town’s first settler. Open (10.30am-4pm) Sun. Old Railway Station Museum, Fitzgerald St West fascinating historical rail displays and memorabilia. Open (10am-4pm) Sun. Suspension Bridge, over Avon River is Australia’s longest pedestrian bridge of its kind.

Nearby:
Mt Ommanney Lookout (1.5 km west) excellent district and town vistas. Meckering (35 km east) site of famous earthquake fault line (1968).

Accommodation:
Northam has a couple of motels, 4 hotels, 4 B&Bs, a couple of farmstays and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 2 Grey St. Tel (08) 9622 2100.

Airport:
Perth Airport (PER), 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport. Tel (08) 9478 8888. (85 km s-w).

Hospital:
Northam Hospital, Robinson St. Tel (08) 9690 1300.