Darkan, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DarkanWestern Australia |
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The heritage listed former railway station in Darkan in 2021
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 Darkan
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1906 |
| Postcode(s) | 6392 |
| Elevation | 279 m (915 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of West Arthur |
| State electorate(s) | Roe |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Darkan is a small town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It sits between the towns of Collie and the Albany Highway, right on the Coalfields Highway. Darkan is also the main town for the Shire of West Arthur local government area. In 2016, about 403 people lived in Darkan.
Contents
Darkan's Early Days: A Look Back
How Darkan Got Its Name
The Darkan area was first settled by William John Gibbs and his family in the 1860s. Mr. Gibbs started a large property there and named it "Darkan." This name comes from a local Aboriginal word. It means "Black Rock."
When Darkan Became a Town
The town of Darkan began to grow when a railway line was built. This line connected Collie to Narrogin. In 1906, Darkan was officially recognized as a town. It grew quickly after that. A local council, called a Road Board, was set up. Many shops and services opened in the years that followed.
Darkan's Railway and Future
The railway line closed in the early 1990s. However, Darkan continued to thrive. The area around the town is great for growing wool and other farm products. Tourism also helps the town stay strong today.
Life in Darkan Today
What Can You Find in Darkan?
Darkan is the main social and political hub for the Shire of West Arthur. The town has many useful places for its residents and visitors:
- A roadhouse for fuel and snacks
- A supermarket for groceries
- A telecentre for internet and community services
- A golf course for sports fans
- A shire hall for community events
- A hotel for visitors
- Modern synthetic tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- A primary school for kids
- A fun skatepark
The Shed: A Community Hub
A newer addition to Darkan is "The Shed." This is a special workshop mainly for the town's older residents. It has areas for woodworking and metalworking. People can work on their own projects here. It's a great place for creativity and community.
Exploring Darkan's History
You can learn about Darkan's past by following its heritage trail. This trail includes important old buildings like:
- The original Road Board Office
- The Shire Office
- The Pioneer Hall, built in 1911
Darkan's Surroundings and Nature
Farming and Natural Beauty
Darkan is surrounded by rich farmland. The soil is fertile, and it gets about 650mm of rain each year. This makes it perfect for growing wheat and raising sheep. Farmers in the area use services in town. They also use the Co-operative Bulk Handling grain storage bin. This bin is about 3 kilometers east of town.
Nearby Attractions
Just 10 kilometers west of Darkan, you can find Six Mile Cottage. This is a very small, two-room house. It was built from wooden slabs by a railway worker in the early 1900s.
A short drive away, you can explore beautiful bushland reserves. These areas are filled with jarrah, flood gum, and wandoo trees. In spring, these reserves burst with colorful wildflowers.
Images for kids
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The heritage listed former railway station in Darkan in 2021
