Northcliffe, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NorthcliffeWestern Australia |
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 Northcliffe
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1923 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6262 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 100 m (328 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Manjimup | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warren-Blackwood | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor | ||||||||||||||
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Northcliffe is a small town in the lower South West part of Western Australia. It is about 28 kilometers (17 miles) south of Pemberton. Northcliffe is part of the Shire of Manjimup.
In 2006, about 412 people lived in Northcliffe. Today, the town and its nearby areas serve around 770 people. Many people in Northcliffe have completed higher education.
The town is surrounded by beautiful forests with tall karri, marri, and jarrah trees. It is also close to several national parks, including Warren, D'Entrecasteaux, and Shannon.
For a long time, Northcliffe was known for dairy farming. This started when families moved to the area in the 1920s and 1930s as part of a special settlement plan. The area also used to have tobacco farms and a logging industry. However, tobacco farming stopped in 1960, and logging ended in 1999.
History and Location
Northcliffe was planned as a town in 1923. This happened because the Premier of Western Australia, James Mitchell, asked for it. The town was set up as a center for the Group Settlement Scheme. This scheme helped people move to the area and start farms.
The town officially became Northcliffe in May 1924. It was named after Lord Northcliffe. He was a famous newspaper owner from London and played an important role in the British government during World War I.
Northcliffe is near some interesting natural spots. These include Mt Chudalup, which is a large granite rock. The Northcliffe Forest Park is also close by. You can also visit the beaches at Windy Harbour. There are also important Indigenous sites in the area, like Tookalup.
Community and Services
Northcliffe has many local groups and places that help the community. These include the Northcliffe Pioneer Museum, where you can learn about the town's history. There is also a Community Resource Centre, which offers internet access and other services.
Other important places include the Northcliffe Family and Community Centre and the Northcliffe Arts Association. The town also has a Workers' Club, a Recreation Association, and a Visitor Centre. The Northcliffe Town Hall is a central meeting place.
The town has a district high school, a post office, and a nursing post for health care. You can find a cafe, a general store, and a food shop selling local produce. There is also a hotel/motel for visitors. For fun, there is a public playground with a barbecue area.
Local businesses include the Bannister Downs dairy. They sell milk and other dairy products in special containers that are good for the environment. You can find their products in Northcliffe, nearby towns, and in Perth.
Northcliffe also serves Windy Harbour, which is a popular coastal village for holidays. Two famous long-distance trails, the Bibbulmun Track (for walking) and the Munda Biddi (for cycling), both pass through Northcliffe.
Major Events
In February 2015, Northcliffe and Windy Harbour faced a very large bushfire. This was one of the biggest bushfires ever in Western Australia. It burned about 100,000 hectares (about 247,000 acres) of land.
Many people had to leave their homes for safety. Luckily, no lives were lost, and there was very little damage to buildings. However, the forests were greatly affected. Some parts of the forest are still recovering from the fire.
