Australia's Golden Outback 2024 Holiday Planner

At a Glance

Shire of MEEKATHARRA

WHAT’S ON Meeka Outback Festival — 21-23 Sept 2024 TOP ATTRACTIONS

Peace Gorge / Museum / Drive and Walk Trails / Gold Mining Pits and Prospecting / Wildflowers and Wildlife WILDFLOWERS TO DISCOVER Mulla Mulla / Native Hops / Flannel Bush / Cotton Bush / Various Eremophila

Peace Gorge

and playground at the town oval. The centrally located town pool is an oasis for all with family-friendly facilities. PLACES TO VISIT Peace Gorge Free camping is permitted at Peace Gorge, just 3km from town. The site is named after a picnic held for service people returning from WWI. However, it is also a registered Aboriginal heritage site with many cultural uses. This beautiful area of the shared country is popular for weddings, town celebrations, and get-togethers. Prospecting Prospecting is a popular pastime, and many locals have their own leases. Venture out bush and discover traces of the past, including Garden Gully, where you can see the remains of kerosene tin ‘humpies’.

MEEKATHARRA 764km north of Perth

MEEKATHARRA SHIRE OFFICE Corner Main & Savage Street, Meekatharra T: (08) 9980 0600 E: cso@meekashire.wa.gov.au W: meekashire.wa.gov.au

M eekatharra is an historic outback town with so much to see and do. A busy regional hub located 764km north of Perth, Meekatharra is a friendly place to refresh and refuel on your Golden Outback adventure. Pastoral and prospecting settlement began in the late 1800s, changing the rangelands landscape and the rich Aboriginal culture of the area. The town was gazetted in 1903 and named Meekatharra after the first mine was registered there in 1894. The Shire of Meekatharra wonderfully displays the Murchison GeoRegion’s ancient lands and brilliant skies with a wealth of fascinating geological formations, mind-blowing stargazing opportunities and significant cultural elements. You can obtain information brochures at the Visitor Centre. Features include the Rangelands Discovery Trail along the town creek, a lookout, and the Meekatharra Drive Trail, which takes in the famous racecourse “at the end of the earth,” spectacular views of open cut mining pits, and more. Meekatharra is an RV-friendly town with potable water and a chemical toilet dump located at the ‘Welcome Park’ on Main Street. It also boasts a hospital, chemist, and GP clinic as well as visiting dental and specialist services, a post office, and 24-hour fuel. ‘Meeka’ has a state-of-the-art small wheels park behind the supermarket,

Respecting People and Country There are untold cultural sites with locations passed on from the Traditional Owners who can read the ancient signposts. If you want to learn more about the Aboriginal history and culture of the area, just ask – there is usually an Elder who will be happy to explain aspects of their country and culture. Lloyd’s Plaza Refurbished in recent years, this town jewel encompasses a bakery, shops, and the Visitor Centre.

Unique outback glamping in the heart of the spectacular Karijini National Park Karijini Eco Retreat is one of Australia’s leading eco-tourism attractions, situated in WA’s second largest national park. Nestled at the edge of Joffre Gorge, stay in safari-style eco tents, eco cabins or campsites, and dine at the outback restaurant. Spend your days fuelled by adventure, exploring breathtaking gorges, swimming under waterfalls, marvelling at colourful wildflowers, admiring starry night skies and indulging in delicious food and wine. (08) 9286 1731 www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au

100% Aboriginal-owned by Gumala Enterprises, proudly representing the Banjima, Yinhawangka & Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region

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