DAY 1
Midland – Toodyay - Overnight Goomalling
Head up the Toodyay road from Midland. Take the road to
Goomalling to enjoy the Pioneers’ Pathway. Cross the
Avon River’s tributary, the Mortlock River, about 10km
south of Goomalling. Stop over at the rest area here and
explore the bush reserve. It has colourful wildflowers in
spring. Goomalling 132 kms east of Perth is an ideal setting
for your first night. Adjacent to the caravan park is the
town’s school house museum – well worth a visit.
Take a stroll down the main street for a coffee and browse
in the bric a brac and craft shop. The recently restored Slater Homestead is open weekends March to November, or by appointment. Light refreshments are available and you may come across a periodic art exhibition.
DAY 2 ( plus )
Goomalling – Dowerin - Overnight Wyalkatchem
By mid morning you could be approaching Dowerin. The Tin
Dog sculpture welcomes you to town. Consider a walk along
the Tin Dog Walk trail and gain an insight into the flora
and bird life of the Wheatbelt. The short route is an easy
1.8kms long and takes about 45 minutes. The Dowerin Visitor
Centre located the main street will point you in the right
direction for the 1930’s house museum, Namalcatchem
nature reserve and well, and other sights in the area that
you can take in on the way to an overnight stop at Wyalkatchem.
DAY 3
Wyalkatchem – Yelbeni – Trayning – Kununoppin - Overnight
Nungarin
After your overnight stay at “Wylie”, The Cradle of Bulk Handling, take time to explore the town and its murals. Have a morning tea or lunch and visit the Agricultural Museum housed in a 1936 wheatbin. Take the old Goldfields Road through the Nature Reserve and turn into Korrelocking Reserve before carrying on to Yelbeni on the main road.
Travelling on to Nungarin you pass Yelbeni with it’s farm machinery display. At Trayning the “tree library” is a unique concept. You may wish to spend an extra night at the Trayning caravan park and explore Billyacatting Nature Reserve north of the town.
And don’t just drive past Kununoppin before your overnight stop in Nungarin. Have a meander around the streets of the town set in a salmon gum woodland. You will chance upon delightful tin sculptures of pioneer life. Can you find the swaggy and his bicycle?
DAY 4
Nungarin - Overnight Merredin
Take the whole day to explore the Nungarin district. Market
day is first Sunday of the month (February to December).
Check out the Heritage and Military Museum . The Post Office
Information Centre has heritage trail walk and drive tour
guides of the district and town. Eaglestone Hill not far
from Nungarin is an enjoyable picnic spot. A great granite
rock is poised over a sparkling salt lake. Or take an excursion
and visit the National Trust homestead of Mangowine some
14 kms from the town to gain an insight into the life of
the first pioneers (closed Wednesdays). Why not stay over
and do both!
Arrive in Merredin mid afternoon. A snapshot tour of that town leaves the Merredin
Caravan Park daily in the late afternoon and is well worth joining. You will
see inside the longest grain storage facility in the southern hemisphere and
hear all about the China Southern Flying School and the industries and way
of life of this thriving Wheatbelt community.
DAY 5 plus
Overnight Merredin
Consider a walk along the Merredin Peak Trail , tour Cummin’s
Theatre (weekdays) and visit the Railway and Military Museums.
The Art and Craft Gallery (Thursday – Sunday) has paintings,
pottery and glassware all executed locally. Stay another
night to take the Military Trail and explore the site of
the Field Hospital. The Visitor
Centre will be delighted to suggest bushland reserves to
explore or direct you to the rock walk at Totadgin Conservation
Park. They have self drive route guides that include the
Rabbit Proof Fence, Military sites and granite rock reserves.
After taking a few days to wander the Pathway you can return westward or continue
east following the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail . Or travel north through
Mukinbudin or Westonia to explore the NE Wheatbelt. Or south through Bruce
Rock or Narembeen towards Wave Rock.
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