Where is That? It can be so rewarding driving through and visiting some of Western Australia’s smaller ‘Quirky’ towns and dwellings. With so many locals out exploring the roads of WA, take the road less travelled and be inspired by our list of Lesser-Known Gems
Xantippe is the only place in Australia that’s name starts with an X. Located approximately 220kms North East of Perth. The name translates to ‘looking for water down a deeper well’ in the local dialect. If travelling up North through Dalwallinu looking for Wildflowers you can go on a little adventurous detour as Xantippe is only 33km east and during the Spring months, the Nature Reserve is alive with wattle and wildflowers. You can climb to the top of the rocks and get a 360degree view of the surrounding farmlands.
The next place on our list is in the South West and contains a Jigsaw Gallery and renowned Christmas Shop, it is named Bridgetown. Gazetted in 1868 the town has many heritage sights and buildings adding to its charm. A relaxed country atmosphere with green rolling hills, along the banks of the Blackwood River and surrounded by tall Jarrah and Marri forests. Self-dubbed as the ‘winter capital of Western Australia’, it has a three month Winter Festival. As well as the Blues of Bridgetown Festival which attracts thousands of music fans and in spring the Festival of Country Gardens. A little something for everyone with lovely Farm-stays and accommodation.
Mogumber is a small country town on the Bindoon – Moora road, there are some quaint old buildings in the centre of town namely the Post Office and the Tavern. The Mogumber Mission (fmr) and Cemetery is important to a large section of the Aboriginal community for cultural, religious, social and educational associations and for those who have relatives buried there in one of the largest Aboriginal burial grounds in Australia. During the Spring months there is a wide variety of wildflowers to be found and sitting at 12meters above the Moore River the area features one of the highest timber and concrete bridges in WA. The Mogumber Outback Club run a New Year's Eve Mogumber Rodeo which is a family-friendly event.
The Great Southern Region of Western Australia is home to the small town, Borden. It has a population of less than 200 and its importance lies in its access to the Stirling Range National Park which is one of the great natural attractions of the area. There are Magpie sculptures positioned at the entrance of the town and they recount stories of the area on plaques, the local initiative is named ‘Magpie flight path’. You'll see nothing like this anywhere else in Australia!
Do you believe in Ghosts? The Shire of Leonora won the 2019 Heritage Award for their Gwalia Upgrade. The living ghost town of Gwalia is the doorway to a unique experience of Western Australia’s rich mining history. The population was 1200 strong and at the closure of the Sons of Gwalia Mine in 1963, it dropped to just 40 residents in less than three weeks. Today, the abandoned homes and businesses of Gwalia create a tangible snapshot of a vanished era and way of life. A must-see if you are visiting the Gold Fields Region