Heartlands Attractions
North of the South West and Great Southern regions are the endless plains of the Heartlands region. Where sufficient water is available (supplied by pipelines) wheat alternates with clover grazing for sheep. In the outer regions of the Heartlands, where rainfall is much lower and more irregular, the land must be left fallow after the harvest for one or more years. Merredin is the chief town in this region of small agricultural townships and large isolated farms. The town holds no particular attractions for tourists, but can boast a wheat research institute.
At Southern Cross is where the first gold was found in 1887.
At Southern Cross is where the first gold was found in 1887.
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Avon Valley National Park
4500ha.
An easily accessible national park with impressive scenery. From Bald Hill there is a good view of the winding Avon River. After the winter rains the Emu Spring Brook, a tributary of the Avon, tumbles over a 30m high waterfall. The country is very hilly, with dry eucalyptus forest and many grass-trees. The Avon and Brockman Rivers join here to form the Swan River, which flows through the neighboring Walyunga National Park. The river can easily be crossed in summer and autumn, but the ground is steep and rocky.
There are a number of attractive trails along the river.
An easily accessible national park with impressive scenery. From Bald Hill there is a good view of the winding Avon River. After the winter rains the Emu Spring Brook, a tributary of the Avon, tumbles over a 30m high waterfall. The country is very hilly, with dry eucalyptus forest and many grass-trees. The Avon and Brockman Rivers join here to form the Swan River, which flows through the neighboring Walyunga National Park. The river can easily be crossed in summer and autumn, but the ground is steep and rocky.
There are a number of attractive trails along the river.
Department of Conservation and Land Management Swan Regional Office
Box 1167
Bentley, WA 6983
Australia
Box 1167
Bentley, WA 6983
Australia
Lake Grace, Australia
Lake Grace (pop. 620) is a small agricultural center in the southern wheat belt. It is named after the two lakes to the west of the town.
Lancelin, Australia
The little fishing village of Lancelin (pop. 720), in Lancelin Bay, is now a favorite holiday and recreation area. It lies at the end of the coast road from Perth. From here a track continues north to Nambung National Park, with the curious Pinnacles (inquire about the state of the road before setting out).
Thanks to a natural breakwater Lancelin has a safe harbor. Good fishing waters; lobsters are caught on the reef. The waters round Lancelin are popular with sailing enthusiasts and wind-surfers, and the beaches are safe for children.
Thanks to a natural breakwater Lancelin has a safe harbor. Good fishing waters; lobsters are caught on the reef. The waters round Lancelin are popular with sailing enthusiasts and wind-surfers, and the beaches are safe for children.
Moore River National Park
17,500ha.
This remote national park, with no facilities for visitors, is typical of the sandy heathland on the northern coastal plains, with dunes and expanses of seasonal or permanent marshland. The fire breaks offer pleasant walking country.
This remote national park, with no facilities for visitors, is typical of the sandy heathland on the northern coastal plains, with dunes and expanses of seasonal or permanent marshland. The fire breaks offer pleasant walking country.
Department of Conservation and Land Management Swan Regional Office
Box 1167
Bentley, WA 6983
Australia
Box 1167
Bentley, WA 6983
Australia
Narrogin, Australia
Narrogin (pop. 4270) grew out of a settlement on an overland route during the construction of the railroad line from Albany to Beverley around 1880. It is now the commercial center of an agricultural area (sheep, pigs, grain).
Features of interest are a war memorial of 1922 in the style of classical Greece and the courthouse (1894), now a museum.
Features of interest are a war memorial of 1922 in the style of classical Greece and the courthouse (1894), now a museum.
Wagin, Australia
Wagin (pop. 1370) lies at the junction of two railroad lines. The population of the surrounding agricultural area (wheat, sheep) is in steady decline.
Wagin has preserved a number of Victorian houses. In Ballagin Road is Wagin Historical Village, with old buildings and relics of pioneering times.
Wagin has preserved a number of Victorian houses. In Ballagin Road is Wagin Historical Village, with old buildings and relics of pioneering times.
Watheroo National Park
44,500ha.
This national park is notable for the heath vegetation in a basin with quartz sand and small areas of eucalyptus woodland and tall bushes of banksia. The park contains rare species of flowers and plants more commonly found in the wetter southwest.
This national park is notable for the heath vegetation in a basin with quartz sand and small areas of eucalyptus woodland and tall bushes of banksia. The park contains rare species of flowers and plants more commonly found in the wetter southwest.
