Nestled in the heart of the Wheatbelt region in Western Australia, Goomalling is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
This quaint town, surrounded by vast farmlands, offers a genuine taste of rural Australian life. Visitors to Goomalling can wander through the town’s historical precinct, where charming Federation-style buildings showcase the town’s agricultural heritage.
Goomalling promises an authentic Australian experience that captures the essence of rural charm, plan your visit and discover the beauty that lies within.
Slater Homestead
The picturesque old stone and mud brick dwelling known as ‘The Homestead’ can be found 3 kilometres north east of Goomalling on the Goomalling Wyalkatchem Road and was the first development in the area, built in 1856 by George Slater.
The Homestead is open weekends from the beginning of April to the end of October from 10- 4 with Devonshire Teas and light lunches available to visitors in Mary’s Tearoom, or take a journey back in time in the delightfully refurbished buildings. We would be delighted to share with you part of our states early pioneering history.
The Historic Homestead accommodation offers visitors an ‘early world experience’ and warm country hospitality. The Queen Room is the original School Masters residence and the Double Room is located in the main Homestead adjacent, accessed through the sitting room. The rooms are not air-conditioned, but we are able to supply a pedestal fan for comfort during the warmer months. All three rooms have electric heaters making them cosy on cold nights. The toilets and shower are a short distance away at the end of the Barn complex, with the walk serviced by level pathways illuminated by sensor lights. A continental breakfast is served in the climate controlled tearoom with facilities being shared by guests. Evening meals are available in town or by arrangement.
The iconic stone barn with its rustic charm offers a unique venue for Weddings, Special Occasions, Corporate Events or Family Gatherings, with a manicured lawn and gardens completing the picture.
- The Historic Slater Homestead is located 3 kilometers north east of Goomalling on the Goomalling-Wyalkatchem Road.
- slaterhomestead.com.au
For bookings, please contact Wendy Williams on 0429 468 763 or by email on [email protected] for prices and availability.
Our Boutique Function Centre and Accommodation are available all year. Mary’s Tearoom is open every weekend from April to October with service of Devonshire Teas, homemade cakes and light lunches from 10am-4pm, with other times available by appointment.
Goomalling Museum
Visit the Goomalling Schoolhouse Museum for a glimpse of local history. There is a display of old machinery, a rare windmill, plus a school room and adjacent school master’s residence restored to reflect the 1900-1940 era.
The museum was officially opened in 1978 and is located on Throssell Street next to the swimming pool, and consists of:
- The 1906 headmasters’ house consists of rooms decorated in the style of the era with an external laundry room. It also houses the Roads Board conference table and chairs, and framed photographs of many of the Roads Board members.
- The re-sited Konnogorring one-teacher school, which operated between 1925 and 1973/74, has been restored and furnished to typify the local and isolated schools which were scattered throughout country districts. The school museum mural, completed in 2008 by Roy Smith, was designed and painted to give some insight into school days during the time of one teacher schools.
- The shed features old and rare machinery and equipment from the area such as a clover harvester, rabbit eradication paraphernalia, blacksmithing equipment and one of the best windmill head collections in the Wheatbelt.
- A transportable room was added in 2013 to house the telecommunication and various other collections.
- A 1950’s Austin school bus and a century old wooden wagon, used for carting wheat locally, are also part of the collection housed within the museum precinct.
The museum collection includes an array of photographs and documents pertaining to the area, including family photographs and histories, homesteads, organisations and buildings of significance to the area.
- Throssell Street, Goomalling, 6460
The museum is open the first Saturday of each month from 10am and at other times by appointment.
Call 9629 1185 (Harold), 0429 906 918 (Therese) or 0439 493 748 (Peta).
Admission fee is $2 per person
Oak Park, Gnamma holes and Wetlands
Goomalling’s Oak Park Reserve comprises 149 hectares of remnant native vegetation. Oak Park is named for the Swamp She-oaks (Casuarina obesa) in the area.
To its south-west lies the Lake Walyormouring Nature Reserve. The Ballardong people, traditional owners of the area, refer to it as Wolyamurry, from wolya, the word for kangaroo rat.
Since European settlement, 95% of the Wheatbelt area has been cleared for agriculture so Oak Park is of significant value in providing habitat for native animals and illustrating the original mix of flora and fauna in the area.
Visitors are invited to enjoy this precious piece of nature. Please do remember to take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
The Oak Park walk trail winds through the reserve for 3km in two loops which both start at the picnic area. The signs along the trail will tell you about the wetlands, granite outcrops and bush that you pass.
The signs also provide information about the lives of the traditional owners of the land, the Ballardong people, as well as the settlers who arrived from 1899. One of the seats along the walk trail has a bough shelter over it which was carefully crafted by an Aboriginal Elder in 2008.
The Oak Park picnic area has a BBQ, covered seating and a long drop toilet. Overnight stays are permitted.
To get to Oak Park from the Goomalling townsite, take the road towards Dowerin and then either:
- turn left into Oak Park Rd, or
- turn left onto the Wongan Hills Rd, drive for about 17kms then take the road right into Botherling East Rd. This second route takes a little longer but there is less gravel road to travel.