NORTHAM
Northam, the largest inland town in Western Australia, is situated in the beautiful Avon Valley, only a one hour
drive from Perth on the Great Eastern Highway. It is a perfect destination for day trippers and
weekenders alike. The picturesque Avon River, which flows through the town, is a wonderful spot to stop
and take in the sights, or to picnic, with all the necessary facilities available.
Northam is also renowned
as being the home of the white swan and an abundance of other bird life; for the Avon Descent white-water
race; and for hot-air ballooning. Northam can boast to having the longest swinging pedestrian bridge in Australia,
and this spans the Avon River at a point very close to the centre of town.
With a population of 7,000 in the town, Northam caters for a further 3,500 people in the Shire, bringing the
total to 10,500.
HISTORY :
From 1836, Northam evolved from being a very small agricultural town, to one of considerable size by the 1890’s,
under the Premiership of Sir John Forrest. This was due mainly to the town being the departure point for the railway
line to the Goldfields, which allowed it to grow not only as a service centre, but also as a gateway to the eastern states.
LOCATION :
Northam lies 98kms east of Perth on the Avon River, and provides an excellent commercial centre for the town's people
and those in the surrounding agricultural district.
CLIMATE :
Northam’s temperatures range between 15C-25C degrees in winter, and are in the mid to high thirties in summer.
The average rainfall is approximately 430mm and this falls mainly during the months of June and July.
TRANSPORT:
Northam is easily accessible by car, following the Great Eastern Highway from Perth ; or by rail on Westrail's
“Avonlink Prospector” from Perth or Kalgoorlie, or Australian National Railway's “Indian Pacific” from Sydney
and Adelaide, with links to other eastern states; and lastly, by coach, from any major City in Australia.
Copyright © Northam Aero Club, 2001-2023
Latest update : April 2023 h
