Bindoon
Shire of Chittering
The Chittering Valley forms a picturesque gateway into the Central Midlands with rolling hills, wildflowers in season, walking trails and picnic spots.
The town of Bindoon is where you can buy citrus fruit from roadside stalls and is the centre of citrus growing in Western Australia. Home to a famous bakery, the beautiful stone Holy Trinity Church and the Catholic Agricultural College. Agriculture in the area varies from traditional cattle, sheep and goat farming to wineries, citrus, olives, honey, dried fruits and cultivated native flora. A museum showcases the history of the area.
The annual Wildflower Festival is held over three days in September, has hundreds of specimens on display and guided wildflower walks each day.
For the day-traveller, weekender or holiday-maker, the diverse nature of this spectacular and vital region is bound to hold your interest.
Calingiri
Shire of Victoria Plains
The romantically-named Victoria Plains is home to one of the State’s first ‘road boards’, a number of which were established in 1871 to build and maintain roads and bridges throughout Western Australia. During that period, Victoria Plains defined the land all the way from the Indian Ocean to the South Australian border and from Carnamah in the North, to Bolgart in the South.
New Norcia, the most famous town in the Shire, was founded in 1846 and is home to a community of Benedictine monks who own and operate the town. Olive trees and church bells and 27 magnificent Spanish style buildings (classified by the National Trust) sit naturally in the bush landscape. The town is so unique it too is registered on the National Estate.
The New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery contains one of the fi nest collections of moveable heritage in Australia. It houses artworks by Spanish and Italian masters and gifts from the Queen of Spain. A fascinating array of artefacts tell the story of New Norcia’s time as an Aboriginal mission, the history of the monks’ extensive farming activities and as a place of education and culture.
Dalwallinu
Shire of Dalwallinu
Dalwallinu has for many years been known as ‘The Wheat Shire’ and more recently has also been known as ‘The Gateway to the World of the Wattles’. Within 100kms of Dalwallinu is the largest density of Wattle (Acacia) species to be found anywhere in the world. The wattle flowers most of the year but reaches its maximum bloom during the months of August and September. Visit www.worldwidewattle.com for more information.
In the second week of September each year the Shire of Dalwallinu celebrates the season with the Wattle Week Festival, the annual Wubin Wildflower Show and a biennial Art and Craft Show. Thousands of wildflower enthusiasts make the journey to the region at this time of the year to enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, including the unusual and eagerly sought after Wreath Leschenaultia. In addition there are many rock formations where delicate native orchids can be found.
Guides to self-drive, walking and wildflower trails are available from the Shire Office and Dalwallinu Discovery Centre.
Moora
Shire of Moora
The town is said to have been named after a well, which the Aborigines called “Maura.” Also, it resonates with “Moore” River which runs through the township and was named by George Fletcher Moore, in 1836. Moora is home to the historic ‘Berkshire Valley’ – referred to as the English version of New Norcia. There, a 1800s English Village has been recreated and includes a homestead, outbuilding, sheds and a hand-built bridge. Servicing centre for the surrounding grain growing area, Moora is the largest town between Geraldton and Perth and some of its historically interesting features include the Pre-World War I architecture and the World War II army camps.
Also, Moora is a popular stopover for nature lovers following the spectacular wildflower trail or visit the Wildflower Interpretative Centre which displays a variety of wildflowers and information.
Wongan Hills
Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
Discovering and naming the hills of “Wongan Katta” in 1836, (only seven years after the founding of the Swan River Colony), Surveyor-General John Septimus Roe used an Aboriginal term. Translated, it means “whispering hills” and refers to the beautifully intimate sound of the breeze through the trees and gorges.
Wongan Hills is Australia’s first RV-friendly town and Wongan-Ballidu is now the fastest growing visitor destination in the wheatbelt region. It encompasses 10,000 hectares of pristine, natural vegetation and over 1,400 different varieties of wildflowers. It is a flora hot-spot in Western Australia and the brilliantly interpreted walk trails, plus excellent hospitality, makes it a year-round attraction.
On the edge of town is a 24 hour access airstrip utilised by the Royal Flying Doctor and recreation users.
Ballidu, “a Classic Country Town”, thrives on its cultural and artistic reputation with the Contemporary Art Society.
Shire of Chittering
The Chittering Valley forms a picturesque gateway into the Central Midlands with rolling hills, wildflowers in season, walking trails and picnic spots.
The town of Bindoon is where you can buy citrus fruit from roadside stalls and is the centre of citrus growing in Western Australia. Home to a famous bakery, the beautiful stone Holy Trinity Church and the Catholic Agricultural College. Agriculture in the area varies from traditional cattle, sheep and goat farming to wineries, citrus, olives, honey, dried fruits and cultivated native flora. A museum showcases the history of the area.
The annual Wildflower Festival is held over three days in September, has hundreds of specimens on display and guided wildflower walks each day.
For the day-traveller, weekender or holiday-maker, the diverse nature of this spectacular and vital region is bound to hold your interest.
Calingiri
Shire of Victoria Plains
The romantically-named Victoria Plains is home to one of the State’s first ‘road boards’, a number of which were established in 1871 to build and maintain roads and bridges throughout Western Australia. During that period, Victoria Plains defined the land all the way from the Indian Ocean to the South Australian border and from Carnamah in the North, to Bolgart in the South.
New Norcia, the most famous town in the Shire, was founded in 1846 and is home to a community of Benedictine monks who own and operate the town. Olive trees and church bells and 27 magnificent Spanish style buildings (classified by the National Trust) sit naturally in the bush landscape. The town is so unique it too is registered on the National Estate.
The New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery contains one of the fi nest collections of moveable heritage in Australia. It houses artworks by Spanish and Italian masters and gifts from the Queen of Spain. A fascinating array of artefacts tell the story of New Norcia’s time as an Aboriginal mission, the history of the monks’ extensive farming activities and as a place of education and culture.
Dalwallinu
Shire of Dalwallinu
Dalwallinu has for many years been known as ‘The Wheat Shire’ and more recently has also been known as ‘The Gateway to the World of the Wattles’. Within 100kms of Dalwallinu is the largest density of Wattle (Acacia) species to be found anywhere in the world. The wattle flowers most of the year but reaches its maximum bloom during the months of August and September. Visit www.worldwidewattle.com for more information.
In the second week of September each year the Shire of Dalwallinu celebrates the season with the Wattle Week Festival, the annual Wubin Wildflower Show and a biennial Art and Craft Show. Thousands of wildflower enthusiasts make the journey to the region at this time of the year to enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, including the unusual and eagerly sought after Wreath Leschenaultia. In addition there are many rock formations where delicate native orchids can be found.
Guides to self-drive, walking and wildflower trails are available from the Shire Office and Dalwallinu Discovery Centre.
Moora
Shire of Moora
The town is said to have been named after a well, which the Aborigines called “Maura.” Also, it resonates with “Moore” River which runs through the township and was named by George Fletcher Moore, in 1836. Moora is home to the historic ‘Berkshire Valley’ – referred to as the English version of New Norcia. There, a 1800s English Village has been recreated and includes a homestead, outbuilding, sheds and a hand-built bridge. Servicing centre for the surrounding grain growing area, Moora is the largest town between Geraldton and Perth and some of its historically interesting features include the Pre-World War I architecture and the World War II army camps.
Also, Moora is a popular stopover for nature lovers following the spectacular wildflower trail or visit the Wildflower Interpretative Centre which displays a variety of wildflowers and information.
Wongan Hills
Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
Discovering and naming the hills of “Wongan Katta” in 1836, (only seven years after the founding of the Swan River Colony), Surveyor-General John Septimus Roe used an Aboriginal term. Translated, it means “whispering hills” and refers to the beautifully intimate sound of the breeze through the trees and gorges.
Wongan Hills is Australia’s first RV-friendly town and Wongan-Ballidu is now the fastest growing visitor destination in the wheatbelt region. It encompasses 10,000 hectares of pristine, natural vegetation and over 1,400 different varieties of wildflowers. It is a flora hot-spot in Western Australia and the brilliantly interpreted walk trails, plus excellent hospitality, makes it a year-round attraction.
On the edge of town is a 24 hour access airstrip utilised by the Royal Flying Doctor and recreation users.
Ballidu, “a Classic Country Town”, thrives on its cultural and artistic reputation with the Contemporary Art Society.