Centrally
located about a three hour drive between Perth (256kms) and Kalgoorlie
(326kms) and between the pastoral regions of the Murchison and the south
coast, Merredin has developed into a thriving rural service town. The massive granite rock, Merredin Peak, adjacent the town,
provided water for Aboriginal people, sandalwood cutters, prosectors,
explorers and pastoralists. The servicing of the Yilgarn and Kalgoorlie
Goldfields around the turn of the century was impetus for the development
of the railway, the Goldfields water supply pipeline (the Golden Pipeline)
and agriculture. The town grew up around the Peak and is named after the
merit tree that grows in the forest nearby and was used by the Aboriginal
people to make spears.
The
Merredin Museum is housed in the former railway station with
fascinating displays on the old days of steam. The story of the role the
town played in World War 2 is revealed by visiting the
Military Museum and driving to view the unusual structures such as
supply hangars, fuel dumps and a radio listening station and the ruins of
a “Mash
style” hospital
left behind in the district.
A walk along the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail at Merredin
Peak describes the unique way in which water was harvested from the
rocks in the early days. It offers views over the town and the nearby
salmon gum woodland where wildflowers
are beautiful in the winter and spring months. The Shire has over 900
species of wildflowers identified including over 80 acacias and around 40
orchids and eucalypt species. Self drive trail information and spring time
wildflower tours are available to guide visitors to other rock, bushland
and heritage sites in the district. These include the walk at Totadgin
Rock , the Rabbit Proof Fence and Mt
Moore/ Lake Campion.
The
rock outcrops, wildflowers and open farmland scenery of the district has
been an impetus for the arts. Works inspired by the area include the
mosaics, sculpture, pottery, glass work and fine art on display in venues
in the town.
The
growing, transporting and harvesting of grain is the major impetus to the
town’s economy. The huge CBH
grain handing terminal dominates the western approaches to the town. The
heritage listed Cummins Theatre,
with its pressed tin interior transported from the demolished Tivoli
Theatre in Coolgardie in 1928, was erected by a brewer who used local
grains to brew Oatmeal and Kalgoorlie Stout.
Café’s,
accommodation, great shopping and all the services provided by a regional
centre are available in Merredin. Call the
Central
Wheatbelt Visitor Centre (08)
9041 1668 or 1300 361 351 and ask for Merredin ( pronounced Merry Din
).
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