Harrismith, Western Australia

Town in Western Australia

32°56′02″S 117°53′02″E / 32.934°S 117.884°E / -32.934; 117.884Population52 (SAL 2021)^[1]Established1914Postcode(s)6361Area202.2 km² (78.1 sq mi)Location

259 km (161 mi) SE of Perth
67 km (42 mi) E of Narrogin

LGA(s)Shire of WickepinState electorate(s)Central Wheatbelt Federal division(s)O'Connor

Harrismith is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 260 kilometres (162 mi) south-east of Perth between the towns of Wickepin and Kulin.

History

When a railway was being constructed from Narrogin to Kondinin in 1914, the government placed a siding at this location, naming it "South Dorakin". However, local settlers opposed the name, and suggested Harrismith, after Harry Smith, the first settler in the vicinity. The name change was approved and the town was gazetted in 1915.^[2]

Present day

The town has a small hotel and caravan park as well as sports facilities. Other services are offered from nearby Tincurrin. The area around Harrismith is home to wildflowers in spring, especially verticordia.

References

^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Harrismith (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ "History of country town names – H". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2007.