Guilderton, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GuildertonWestern Australia |
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Lookout view of Guilderton at the Moore River mouth
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 Guilderton
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1951 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6041 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Gingin | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Moore | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Pearce | ||||||||||||||
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Guilderton is a small town located on the coast of Western Australia. It's about 94 kilometers (58 miles) north of Perth, the capital city. This town sits right where the Moore River meets the Indian Ocean.
Before it became Guilderton, the area was known by its Aboriginal name, Gabbadah. This name means "mouthful of water," which makes sense because of the river mouth. The river mouth is quite special! It often opens and closes with the seasons. Sometimes it's a closed-off lagoon, and other times it's a tidal estuary, meaning ocean water flows in and out.
Guilderton is a very popular place for people from Perth to go on holiday. Many people still call it Moore River when they talk about it.
Contents
A Glimpse into Guilderton's Past
Guilderton has been a favorite spot for a long time. People started using it for camping and fun activities way back in 1905. That's when people from a nearby town called Gingin asked for a road to be built to the area. By 1907, the area was officially set aside as a recreation spot.
How Guilderton Got Its Name
The town's unique name comes from an exciting discovery! In 1931, 40 old silver coins were found in the sandhills near the Moore River's entrance. These coins were called guilders and were from the 17th century.
People believed these coins came from a famous shipwreck. A Dutch ship called the Vergulde Draeck (which means Gilt Dragon) crashed on a reef north of the river mouth in 1656. This ship was carrying treasure, and finding the coins helped confirm its story. Because of these "guilder" coins, the town was named Guilderton!
Guilderton During Wartime
During World War II, Guilderton played a small but important role. Soldiers used the area for rest and relaxation. It also served as a base for horseback patrols along the beach, helping to keep the coast safe.
Becoming an Official Town
Even though people had been visiting for years, Guilderton wasn't officially named until November 28, 1951. Before that, everyone just called the area "Moore River."
The Last Brick Lighthouse
In 1983, a lighthouse was built at Wreck Point in Guilderton. It cost about $240,000 to build. This lighthouse is special because it was the very last brick tower lighthouse ever built in Australia!
See also
In Spanish: Guilderton (Australia Occidental) para niños
