Narrogin - Wickepin - Pingelly History Circuit
Explore early settlement history of the district on this 140km drive, which traverses a loop connecting Narrogin, Wickepin, Pingelly, and Cuballing.
The route is sealed, with small gravel road deviations. The complete loop will take more than a single day to explore. Stops are numbered to help visitors plan their stay.. Information on many of the stops is available via hyperlinks and QR codes, or as brochures from the Narrogin and Dryandra Visitor Centre. Open this link for the drive trail blog and brochure. Downloadable brochures for towns along the trail are shown below. |
VISIT HISTORIC WICKEPIN Wickepin is well known for its association with Albert Facey, the author of the best selling book "A Fortunate Life". Albert Facey’s Homestead is situated in the main street and is the home that Facey and his family walked out of in 1934 during the Great Depression. The house is much more than just another wheatbelt dwelling. It is a unique opportunity to view the harsh and simple lifestyle of the small wheatbelt farmer in the early 1930s. After seeing Facey Homestead take time to see the other attractions. and drop into the Wickepin CRC for information. Open this link for the blog and downloadable brochure |
VISIT HISTORIC PINGELLY The Pingelly area was settled in 1846 when sheep herders took up leases around freshwater springs. the first settlement was gazetted at Moorumbine in 1848, however when the Great Southern Railway was completed between Beverley and Albany, it passed through 10kms west of the town, and a small settlement was established near the railway siding. The settlement was known as 'Pingecully', after the Noongar name 'Pingeculling' meaning small gully of water. The settlement soon became known as Pingelly and was officially gazetted as a town in 1989. Pingelly developed as the town of Moorumbine declined. Download the brochure below for Pingelly town attractions, and culturally significant Boyagin Rock ( moderately difficult walk to a panoramic view), or collect brochures from this visitor Centre or Pingelly Information Centre and Craft Shop. |
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POP INTO POPANYINNING
Popanyinning was originally named Popaning, which means 'waterhole' in Noongar language. in 1906 there were 72 people in the district with several shops, and the railway station for residents and farmers.
Take a break to walk or drive the heritage trail, and the wildflower walk trail in the growing season, using the brochures below.
Popanyinning Heritage Trail | |
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HISTORIC CUBALLING
The fine buildings, which seem out of place in this small township arose from anticipation that Cuballing would be a junction for a railway from the Collie coalfield to the Goldfields. Alas, adjoining Narrogin was selected, and Cuballing declined.
The Cuballing Heritage Trail is in preparation: watch this space:
MORE INFORMATION
Aussie Towns blog -Cuballing
Vanishing Farms blog (Cuballing Shire)
WAGIN HISTORICAL VILLAGE
Located in Wagin, 50 kilometres south of Narrogin, this is possibly the best historic village in Western Australia and one of the best in the country.
There are currently 26 buildings, all furnished to reflect their origins, including a Village Church, a replica of an 1880s cottage, an Aboriginal Mia Mia shelter, a Bag Tent, a Woolshed, Stables and a Cowshed, a community hall, a wattle thatch farm dairy, an old Bank, a one-room School, Printing shop, wattle and daub humpy, shepherd’s camp, Community Hall, Blacksmith’s Shop, Barber’s Shop, Dressmaker and Mallee Root Shed. It is open every day from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm.
Be sure to also see Bart the giant ram.
See here for additional details.
Located in Wagin, 50 kilometres south of Narrogin, this is possibly the best historic village in Western Australia and one of the best in the country.
There are currently 26 buildings, all furnished to reflect their origins, including a Village Church, a replica of an 1880s cottage, an Aboriginal Mia Mia shelter, a Bag Tent, a Woolshed, Stables and a Cowshed, a community hall, a wattle thatch farm dairy, an old Bank, a one-room School, Printing shop, wattle and daub humpy, shepherd’s camp, Community Hall, Blacksmith’s Shop, Barber’s Shop, Dressmaker and Mallee Root Shed. It is open every day from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm.
Be sure to also see Bart the giant ram.
See here for additional details.