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SUGGESTED ITINERARY

To explore the Wheatbelt along the Pioneers’ Pathway

Any time is a great time to explore the Wheatbelt along the Pioneers’ Pathway.

In Autumn the magnificent eucalypts are shedding their bark and exposing shining new trunks. Winter sees the wattles start to bloom and spring time brings out the wildflowers and everlastings.
Enjoy the crisp mornings and views across the open paddocks. Explore wonderful nature reserves, granite outcrops, salt lakes and heritage sites.

The sample itinerary offered below is just one way of enjoying the Pioneer Pathway. By all means linger longer at each delightful small town. You will be most welcome.

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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