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Westonia is located just over four hours drive east of Perth and half an hour from Merredin. It is on the Wheatbelt Way drive trail. The Goldfields meets the Wheatbelt in the town.
Named after Alfred David Weston, a sandalwood cutter and part time prospector, the town owes its origin to gold mining. Gold mining is still an important industry in the area, although the shire’s primary industry is now wheat and sheep farming. All its streets are named after minerals and the town has preserved a streetscape facade that reflects its Edwardian origins.
In 1915 Westonia had two mines in operation and by 1917 the town had a population in excess of 2000. The town’s population dropped significantly when the Edna May Gold Mine located one kilometre north of town, closed for the first time in 1922. Since then the Edna May Gold Mine has been re-opened and mined by 3 different mining companies.
Located 1km north of the Westonia townsite the mine has now seen four separate mining phases including the current phase operated by Evolution Mining. During this time, the mine has produced more than 1.1 million ounces of gold. The Shire in conjunction with Evolution constructed a Lookout with viewing platform in which visitors can view the entire mining operations from extraction, crushing through to milling.
Westonia is nestled amongst 5,600 hectares of salmon gum, morrell and gimlet woodland interspersed with granite outcrops. The 4km Woodlands and Wildflower Trail through Westonia Common is well worth exploring. The town is also unique in that all new buildings in the town’s centre have been constructed in a 1920’s historic style. All existing heritage buildings have been continuously restored and the Westonia Hood-Penn Museum showcases early life in the shire.
Explore the massive granite outcrop of Elachbutting which includes a giant wave-shaped formation and 30metre rock tunnel you can walk through. Sandford Rock reserve is also located in the Westonia Shire.
