Elleker, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids EllekerWestern Australia |
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Established | 1890s |
Postcode(s) | 6330 |
Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
Area | [convert: needs a number] |
Location | 16 km (10 mi) W of Albany |
LGA(s) | City of Albany |
State electorate(s) | Albany |
Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Elleker is a small town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It is located about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of the city of Albany. The town sits along the Lower Denmark Road. This road is a main route for tourists traveling from Albany to Denmark.
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Discovering Elleker's Past
Elleker has an interesting history connected to railways. The Western Australian Land Company first planned the town. They built the Great Southern Railway between 1886 and 1889.
How Elleker Got Its Name
The town was first called Lakeside. This was because it was close to Lake Powell. However, it did not grow much at first. The government bought the railway in 1896. They then redesigned the town. In 1899, it was officially named Lakeside by the government. This means it was formally recognized.
Lakeside became an important railway junction. It connected the Torbay line, which served timber sawmills, with the Great Southern railway. Because of this, its name changed to Torbay Junction in 1908.
In 1921, the town was renamed Elleker. This name was suggested by someone who lived nearby. It was inspired by a place called Ellerker in England. The reason why the first "r" was left out of the name is not known.
What You'll Find in Elleker
Today, Elleker is a quiet community. It has several houses and a general store. There is also an oval, a town hall, and a railway siding. You can even find a telephone booth there.
Elleker's Tourism and Nature
Elleker is close to Mutton Bird Beach. The Elleker-Grasmere Road also passes nearby. These attractions mean that the town sees more visitors during the summer months. People often come to enjoy the beaches and natural beauty.
Elleker on TV
The town is also famous for something special. A house in Elleker was used as the Leonard family home. This was for the Nine Network TV show Lockie Leonard. The show aired from 2007 to 2010. It was based on a popular book series by Tim Winton.