Australia's Golden Outback Holiday Planner

Shire of wyalkatchem

Population 523

Wyalkatchem 192km north-east of Perth

pieces of Agricultural Machinery from the early 1900’s, as well as a considerable collection of horse drawn wagons, farm equipment, and collections of historic interest. Wyalkatchem Town Heritage Walk The town boasts many fine historical, National Trust and Heritage listed buildings from the early 1900s. These include the Railway Station, Wyalkatchem Town Hall and the School Master’s House. A Wyalkatchem Town Heritage Walk leaflet is available at the Visitor Centre and Shire Offices. Old School House Visit the Old School House – once home to Sir William Heseltine, who later became a member of the Royal Household and Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth 11. See life from a bygone era – collections include the old switchboard from the telephone exchange and various old printing machines and other historic memorabilia. Viewing by appointment. Contact Pat Jones Tel: (08) 9681 1036 or Wendy Begley Tel: (08) 9681 1397. Walk-A-Wyal Tracks Nature lovers are well catered for with the Walk- A-Wyal Tracks in and around the Wyalkatchem townsite. Located at the eastern end of Piesse Street, this walk trail consists of three different tracks, marked by yellow, blue and red triangles, where you can observe unique flora and fauna in the peaceful surrounds of some of the oldest bushland reserves in Western Australia. Cowcowing Lake Cowcowing Lake lies 26km to the north of town on the Wyalkatchem-Koorda Road. The lake gives its name to Cowcowing Siding. The lake covers an area of 15,000 hectares and on rare occasions when the lake is full, locals use it to water ski. The Cowcowing Cemetery is on the edge of the Wyalkatchem-Koorda Road. Yorkrakine Rock A 30 minute drive south of town on the Tammin Road, Yorkrakine Rock is a spectacular

granite outcrop rising 341 metres and covering an area of some 160 hectares, making it an ideal spot for picnics (toilets available) and bush walking. During spring, the reserve comes alive with stunning wildflowers and orchids. Korrelocking Reserve Site 4 on the ‘Wheatbelt Way’ self-drive trail, Korrelocking Reserve lies 7km east of town along the Nungarin-Wyalkatchem Road. The reserve covers 259 hectares of pristine bushland with some great examples of Salmon Gums and Gimlets. It is a picturesque picnic spot especially during wildflower season with tables, toilets, interpretative signage, a marked walk trail and pioneer well. Some 44 bird species have been recorded at the reserve including Pacific Heron, Black-shouldered Kite, Whistling Kite, Little Eagle, Black-tailed native-hen and Long-billed Corella. Historic Wyalkatchem Well Site 5 on the ‘Wheatbelt Way’ self-drive trail, Wyalkatchem Well (commonly known as ‘Wyalkatchem Tank’) is situated on the outskirts of town, some 10 metres from the south side of the Goldfields Road within the Wyalkatchem Golf Course. Wyalkatchem Well is unique with its rectangular shaped granite walls, constructed by John Haywood for the Toodyay Road Board in 1881 and later utilised as a water source for early steam locomotives. Where to Stay Wyalkatchem is an ideal base to explore nearby attractions and other places of interest. The town also has a caravan park, hotel, barracks and self-contained short stay homes. Contact the Visitor Centre for further information. A register of local businesses and contact details are also available on the Shire’s website. Wyalkatchem Visitor Centre CRC and CBH Museum Railway Terrace, Wyalkatchem WA 6485 Tel: (08) 9681 1500

$

‘Welcome to Wylie’ you’ll hear the locals say! The friendly country spirit is alive and well here at this ‘strange name, beaut place’. Wyalkatchem lies east of Perth on the Goomalling-Merredin Road, along the popular Pioneers’ Pathway and Wheatbelt Way self- drive routes, an easy two hour drive from Perth via Northam or Toodyay. The first recorded exploration was in 1846, guided by local Aboriginals. Settlers first arrived in 1904 however it was not until 1908 that the town site was officially declared. Wyalkatchem was home to Pioneer and Politician John Lyndsay from 1905, a key advocate for farmers and the bulk handling of wheat. Later, Wyalkatchem became known as the “Cradle of Bulk Handling.’ The district is a thriving grain and sheep farming region, producing some 895,500 kilograms of wool and 115,000 tonnes of wheat annually. Wyalkatchem is well served by a district high school, medical centre & hospital, golf course, and has many active community and sporting clubs. Wyalkatchem’s event calendar includes October’s Wyalkatchem Fair. Wyalkatchem is renowned as the ‘Cradle of Bulk Handling’ in WA. It was here the first delivery of bulk wheat was received from Korrelocking on 9 November 1931. The original K type wheat bin attracts many visitors and the CBH Agricultural Museum houses an impressive collection of early farming equipment including the ‘Waterloo Boy’ - one of the first John Deere tractors (1920) and one of few remaining in Australia. Displays include Sunshine Stripper Harvesters invented in the late 1800’s; FWD Model B 3-ton Lorry 1916 and many more important Places of interest CBH Agricultural Museum

Email: wyalkatchem@crc.net.au www.wyalkatchem.crc.net.au Email: general@wyalkatchem.wa.gov.au www.wyalkatchem.wa.gov.au

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 CBH Agricultural Museum 2 Beautiful wildflowers in spring 3 CBH Museum display 4 Town Hall 5 The School House Museum 6 Wyalkatchem Well

65 | The Wheatbelt | australiasgoldenoutback.com