Forrest, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Forrest Western Australia
Fish-eye aerial view taken over Forrest, looking east, in 1986. The train is the Trans-Australian.
Forrest Location in Western Australia
Postcode(s)	6434
Area	[convert: needs a number]
State electorate(s)	Kalgoorlie
Federal Division(s)	O'Connor
Localities around Forrest: Plumridge Lakes Maralinga Tjarutja Rawlinna Forrest Cocklebiddy Madura, Mundrabilla, Eucla Nullarbor

Forrest is a small, quiet place in the middle of Australia. It used to be a busy railway stop. It sits on the Nullarbor Plain, a huge, flat, and dry area. Forrest is about 85 kilometers (53 miles) west of the border between Western Australia and South Australia.

This settlement was created in 1916. It was built when the Trans-Australian Railway was being constructed. This railway is famous for having the longest straight section of track in the world. It stretches for an amazing 478 kilometers (297 miles) without a single bend! In 2021, very few people lived in Forrest.

How Forrest Got Its Name

Forrest was named after a famous explorer, Sir John Forrest. He was a very important person in Australian history. Sir John Forrest became the first leader, or Premier, of Western Australia. He strongly believed that Australia should become one country, known as Federation. He also pushed for the building of the Trans-Australian Railway.

The Railway's Past and Present

Forrest was once an important railway station. It helped steam trains by providing water and maintaining the tracks. For about 60 years, railway families lived there. They kept the trains running and the tracks safe.

However, things changed after 1951. Diesel trains replaced steam engines. Diesel trains didn't need to stop for water as often. This meant fewer railway workers were needed. Later, new technology made track maintenance easier. Machines took over many jobs. Eventually, most railway buildings were taken down. Only a rest house for railway workers remains.

Today, private companies handle track maintenance. They don't have people living in Forrest. The famous Indian Pacific train, which is a special tourist train, does not stop here anymore.

Forrest Airport: A Key Stop for Planes

Forrest airport terminal

Forrest is also home to an important airport. Forrest Airport is a crucial stop for planes flying across Australia. It allows aircraft with shorter flight ranges to refuel.

The airport started in 1929. It was an overnight stop for the first regular passenger flights between Perth and Adelaide. These flights were run by West Australian Airways. The airport has been used continuously ever since. Today, it has two paved runways, a large hangar for planes, and fuel stations. You can even book cottages nearby for an overnight stay.

Getting to Forrest by Road

Reaching Forrest by road is quite an adventure! You can only get there using unsealed dirt tracks. These tracks connect Forrest to the Eyre Highway. The closest towns on the highway are Eucla and Mundrabilla. They are about 110 kilometers (68 miles) to the south-east and south of Forrest.

Climate

Forrest has a very dry climate, like a desert. However, it's not as hot in summer as some other Australian deserts. This is because it's about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the Southern Ocean. Even so, Forrest has experienced some extreme heat. In 2021, it held the record for the equal 6th-hottest temperature ever recorded in Australia. On January 13, 1979, the temperature reached a scorching 49.8 degrees Celsius (121.6 degrees Fahrenheit)!