On our way back to Perth from Kalgoorlie we made a quick stop at Westonia. Just a tiny town off the main highway with a population of under 300. This was a cute little place and I loved the way the people have made the most of the history there.
Established in 1911 by Alfred Weston after the discovery of gold was found in the area. By 1917 there was a population of 2,000. Westonia has won Tidy Towns twice in the last twenty years.
There is a caravan park, a good place for an overnight stay for the “Grey Nomads” travelling around Australia in their camper vans and caravans. Also there is a small gift shop/cafe and Post Office/Supermarket/Cafe.
A very well kept street, so neat and tidy
Where the old Fire and Ambulance Stations once stood
Front door to the Gift Shop
We hoped to have lunch here but unfortunately they were just closing, but the Post Mistress was there delivering their mail and she very kindly offered to make us some rolls at the Post Office. Country town hospitality at its best.
Individual images of the artwork at the entrance to Westonia
I’ve used this post to link up with Cee’s Photographing Public Art as I thought it fell quite well under this category!
On our recent trip exploring country towns of Western Australia, we were recommended a visit to Gwalia in Leonara. Around a 2 ½ hour drive from Kalgoorlie, maybe a bit more with a stop on the way. It was well worth the drive to see this fascinating ghost town. We had a beautiful day for our visit after yesterday’s grey and gloomy day. At the bottom of this post there is a short history.
We first went up the museum to have a look around at the top and to view the mine and managers’ buildings. The husband of the lady running the gift shop and information centre is the restorer of all the buildings.
A view of the town from the road
A mural painted by the artist Roderick Sprigg in 2018 who grew up in Gwalia. He actually painted the corrugated effect as well.
The head frame made of Oregon Pine in 1899.
The mine at present
The tram used from Gwalia to Leonara
Old engine boiler
Hoover House
Verandah of Hoover House
A view of Mt. Leonara from the verandah
Hoover House is now a bed and breakfast and also serves Devonshire teas on the verandah
Inside Hoover House
The Ghost Town
The miners and their families tried to make the best with what little they had. It must have been boiling in the summer and freezing in the winter. These are some of the homes below of the outside and inside.
The Pink House
Patroni’s guesthouse – while some miners had their own homes many were single men who boarded here. Families often ate their meals here if they had no kitchen facilities.
An entertainment room, the piano looks in need of an urgent tune up and repair
The State Hotel built in 1903 and once I imagine a grand old building. It was built to give the town a licensed premise and to lessen the “sly-grog” trade.
Short History of Gwalia
In 1896 a gold reef was discovered by prospectors. It was originally named Sons of Gwalia which signifies the Welsh heritage of the investors.
In 1897 110 miners were employed at the mine and in 1898 Herbert Hoover (the 31st president of the USA) was appointed as mine manager, working for only six months here.
By 1901 – 1903 the goldmine is thriving and surpassing its predicted production. By now 884 people live here and a school opens. Also a tram service established between Gwalia and Leonara.
1914-1918 many men leave to enlist in WW1.
1919 – it is now the deepest mine in Australia.
1921 – 1929 – A fire destroys the power station and mill and reconstruction works commence. Herbert Hoover becomes President of the USA (1929).
1939 – 1945 – WW2. The Italian miners employed at the time were interred and the mine is now operating at a loss.
1963 – On the 28th December the mine closes, there was a mass exodus of most of the people, abandoning their homes and many belongings.
1964 – The population drops from 1,200 to 40.
1983 – The mine was reopened and is still a going concern today.
Continuing on with our road trip to Kalgoorlie, we left Northam around 10 a.m. after breakfast. Our first stop today was a small place called Meckering.
Meckering
The most famous thing about this town is the earthquake in 1968, with a magnitude of 6.5 and injuring 28 people. We stopped to look at one of the houses that suffered, the remains have been left as a memory. I don’t suppose for a minute that Mrs. Snooke would have imagined an earthquake in this rural town.
Meckering dates back to 1898 with a population of 225, today it’s not much more at 265.
We had chosen the worst day to travel with dreary grey skies and constant rain, my dear hubby wouldn’t leave the car!
Cunderdin
A very brief stop in Cunderdin for a coffee at the Ettamogah Pub. A traditional country pub designed on the ‘Etamogah’ cartoons by the infamous Ken Maynard. Etamogah means ‘Place of a good drink”.
We couldn’t wait to get back in the warm car after a coffee in this very cold pub!
Cunderdin Town Hall
Merredin
Merridin was next on the trail and fortunately it’s on the silo art trail. The art on this silo was created by urban artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers and extremely impressive.
Time was ticking by now and we really needed to get a move on if we were to arrive in Kalgoorlie before dark.
We stayed at the Rydges Hotel which is about five minutes away from the main town. It seemed to be the best hotel on offer and we had booked two nights here. Tomorrow we will be exploring Kalgoorlie and driving further afield to a ghost town and mine!
Some of the roads we travelled on were indeed under construction!
We decided to do a three day trip just recently to visit some country towns in Western Australia. These towns were once thriving communities, established at the beginning of the twentieth century by early white settlers. Nowadays these towns rely on the historical landmarks to attract visitors.
Our first stop was to see the silo art which is located just outside of Northam. These incredible paintings were done by artists Phlegm and Hence. Try as I might I cannot find much about Phlegm, only that their paintings are all over the world. Hense is Alex Brewer, an American artist, originating in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is wonderful to see these grey drab buildings being brought to life and there are now many dotted around Australia.
After this we had a quick stop in Toodyay, with a population of approximately 1,500. Before European settlers came to these towns they were populated by the Noongar people.
Toodyay
Population – 1,500. Established in 1836.
Built in 1864 and last renovated in 2018
The Freemasons Hotel Built in 1860 and renovated in 1994
Built in 1910
Built in 1897 and renovated in 1970
Katrine
Next on out trail was a stop at Katrine, a tiny village just outside of Northam where I spotted a church.
St. Saviours ChurchKatrine
Northam
We finally got to Northam around 4.30 pm and checked into the Farmers Home Hotel. This is a 150 year old newly renovated building which has 16 rooms. It is a magnificent building, the only downside being no decent restaurant. The Dome coffee house is situated in the building and offers guests a dinner menu. I can’t say we were impressed with the menu. However we did have a fabulous room and in the distance you could see the Avon River. We managed a quick walk along the banks of the river before heading back to the bar.
Farmers Home HotelOur roomOur view on a very bleak day!
Inside the hotel
River Avon
Typical house
Sculptures made of old agricultural machinery parts
By Amok Island
Northam Flour Mill
With reflection
The next day we checked out and began the long drive to Kalgoorlie, this would take around 6 hours including stops. My dear hubby loves a good long drive so this was perfect for him.
I will be featuring more historical towns in my next post. I hope you can make the journey with me!
This week for one word Sunday, Debbie at Travel with Intent has chosen “Pond or Ponder”. I’ve found a few with quotes to go with my photos. Stay a while and ponder.
It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a mighty ocean
2012
2021
Our little fish pond, built in 2012. Different fish and some more plants, but still going strong. DH’s (Dear Hubby) hobby.
“I have found it a singular luxury to talk across the pond to a companion on the opposite side” ~ Henry David Thoreau ~
“Remain in the world, act in the world, do whatsoever is needful, and yet remain transcendental, aloof, detached, a lotus flower in the pond.” ― Osho, The Secret of Secrets
Some magnificent trees for Becky’s TreeSquares – opposite my house. One in the rain taken from inside the garage! The other in the sun – one week apart. I love looking at these trees especially when I’m ironing.
Same but different
We have been having some very wet and stormy weather here in Perth, WA. The roads have been turning into small rivers as the drains don’t seem to be able to cope. Many of my neighbours have had flooding in their garages. We are not used to so much rain!
A gallery of wildflowers for Friendly Friday, a three weekly challenge. This week it was Amanda’s turn over at Something to Ponder About.
Some of you may have seen these photos before as dear hubby and I have been on a couple of trips about two hours North of Perth. Wildflowers in this region start blooming from July.
The famous Wreath flower. These are truly amazing flowers and look like they’ve been handmade and left in the dirt. Their real name is Lechenaultia and flower from August in Western Australia.
This is a map of the one of the routes. There aren’t that many places to stay so booking accommodation is essential well ahead of time as it’s a very popular trip.
