Westonia WA

Travelled: 112km via Totadgin Rock, Merredin to Westonia RV park

The clouds were low as we drove north from Bruce Rocks Totadgin Rock, a large granite outcrop incorporating a small wave like formation.

Along the way to Merredin we passed a Solar Farm that is made up of 360,000 panels!

In reaching the town we were then officially on the Golden Pipeline Heritage trail located in WA central wheatbelt. Essentially a 560km pipeline and a series of pump stations were built over a 100 years ago from Mundaring Weir to the eastern goldfields. Today it has been extended and modernised but still used to provide water.

Merredin is a substantial town that originally began at the foot of the granite outcrop as a dam was constructed to capture the water runoff. In 1893 the town relocated closer to the railway station. Since then it has grown and there are still some significant historical buildings. 

The Cummins Theatre built 1928 and is still being used today.

The Old Town Hall with a clock from the same company that manufactured London’s Big Ben. 

Mark went have a look at the Military Museum ($7) which had a large collection.

It prized possession is ‘Huey’ a UH-1H helicopter.

We went to have a look at the Railway Dam at Merredin Peak. After the dam was substantially rebuilt in the 1930’s, the 45 million litres of water runoff collected annually is now used to water the parks and gardens of the township.

Our next destination was the Edna May Mine at Westonia where we watched the trucks creating a new open pit mine. The older/larger one is at 800m underground.

Although the town’s fortunes have fluctuated with those of the mine, it was able to sustain itself with farming. The community pride and spirit is evident in the efforts made recreating Main Street facades and it recreational facilities.