Bindoon
Bindoon is located 84km from Perth on Great Northern Highway in the Shire of Chittering, with an approximate population of 1050. Bindoon is thought to be an Aboriginal word, meaning place where the yams grow. Bindoon is the home of the award-winning Bindoon Bakehaus, which attracts visitors from many areas. Facilities in Bindoon include a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, post office, banks, primary school, IGA, hotel, restaurants, hairdresser, hardware store and butcher. Sporting amenities include netball/basketball/tennis courts, bowling greens, oval and pony club.
The Bindoon Agricultural Society hosts the Bindoon and Districts Agricultural Show, well known for its cattle and poultry judging, equine events and arts and crafts. Bindoon is ideal for residents wishing to live in a rural environment within an easy commute to Perth, with the regional centres of Midland or Joondalup a 40-minute drive away. Bindoon offers residential, hobby/lifestyle lots and larger farm properties. Local industries include orchards, viticulture and pastoral farming.
Chittering
The Shire of Chittering is located approximately 55km north of Perth with a population of 4500. This includes the townsites of Muchea, Bindoon and Wannamal. Lower Chittering is approximately 61km north of Perth with approximately 1500 residents. Located on the eastern side of Great Northern Highway, it is mostly made up of rural residential and rural properties.
Given Chittering’s proximity to the metropolitan area, many residents commute to Perth. The Chittering Valley is well known for its variety of wildflowers and green rolling hills, with produce available from local wineries and orchards.
Dandaragan
Dandaragan is located 178km north of Perth, with an approximate population of 400, the total population for the Shire of Dandaragan is 3300. Named after a watering hole 9km north of the present townsite, Dandaraga Spring, according to local Aboriginal language, meant good kangaroo country.
Dandaragan has a Primary School with a District High School located in Jurien Bay. Dandaragan has a Community Recreation Centre, accommodation village, oval and lawn bowls, tennis and golf facilities. Medical and Health services are available in nearby Moora or Jurien Bay. The majority of employment is farm-based with some orchards in the area. In September 2011 Jurien Bay was included in the State Government Royalties for Regions Regional Centres Development Plan (SuperTowns). In Jurien Bay, new business opportunities and jobs will be generated from a new Visitor and Civic Precinct, an Infill Sewerage Project and Pump Station (enabling an increased population) and a Health and Aged Care Precinct.
Gingin
The town of Gingin is located 84km north of Perth, just off the Brand Highway, with an approximate population of 750. Gingin is one of the oldest towns in the state and a popular day trip destination for Perth residents and tourists, with many tourist attractions in the area. It houses the administrative centre for the Shire of Gingin, which has a total population of 4800, encompassing four coastal towns and a number of rural residential estates. Facilities in Gingin include a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, post office, banks, district high school, community resource centre, IGA, hotel, cafes, hairdresser, hardware store and butcher. A public pool is open in summer and sports amenities include netball/basketball/tennis courts, a hockey and crocket field, a football/cricket oval, 18-hole golf course and bowling greens which are all supported by active, welcoming clubs.
Gingin is a short drive to the coastal communities of Yanchep, Guilderton and Seabird. With a growing population, Gingin is well-placed for residents wishing to live in a rural environment within an easy commute to Perth, with the regional centres of Midland or Joondalup a 40-minute drive away. Gingin offers residential, hobby/lifestyle lots and larger farm properties. Local industries include bed and breakfasts, market gardens, orchards and pastoral farming.
Guilderton
Guilderton is located an hour north of Perth, at the mouth of the Moore River, with a permanent population of approximately 148 people. Guilderton is a picturesque town popular with tourists and local families. Guilderton has many holiday homes and sees a rise in numbers over the summer months. The river and beach area are a natural focus for daily activities which could include swimming, fishing, canoeing or walking.
Guilderton has a general store, roadhouse and caravan park. There is a nine-hole golf course and Country Club which includes two bowling greens and tennis courts. Guilderton offers a variety of residences to suit most tastes. A school bus service is available for students to travel to Gingin District High School. Guilderton is a 40-minute drive to Joondalup, making it ideal for commuters.
Lancelin
The coastal fishing and tourist town of Lancelin is just 125 km north of Perth. Each year in January, Lancelin hosts the prestigious Lancelin Ocean Classic, which draws kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world. The Lancelin dunes are also a popular location for sandboarding and 4-wheel driving. Despite these high energy pursuits, Lancelin’s pristine shores, sheltered bays, back dropped by the offshore reefs and Lancelin and Edwards Islands, offer one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal settings. The town’s chill-out coastal lifestyle makes for a great place to live or holiday.
Moora
Moora is located 190km from Perth. The population for the entire Shire is approximately 2500, with Moora servicing a population of 6000 people within a 100km radius. Facilities in Moora include a new hospital, supported by four doctors, dentist and allied health and community services, pharmacy, banks, two primary schools, senior high school, and performing arts centre. Sporting facilities include squash, tennis, basketball and netball courts, hockey, football and cricket ovals, a public swimming pool, bowling green and golf and pony clubs.
As a regional centre, many agricultural service and supply companies located in Moora. Moora is surrounded by sheep, cattle and grain farms. The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops, with a Cooperative Bulk Handling receival site being located in Moora. A silica mine is located 15km north of the townsite. Many tourists call in to see the town’s murals whilst following the wildflower trail.
Muchea
Muchea is located 43km from Perth, with an approximate population of 1000. Muchea is situated on the Brand Highway, slightly west of the Great Northern Highway intersection. Muchea comes from the Aboriginal name Muchela which means water hole in reference to the abundant water in the Muchea area. Muchea sporting facilities include a community hall, football oval, netball courts and a combined Pony Club/Polocrosse grounds. A school bus is available for students to travel to Bullsbrook High School.
The Muchea Livestock Centre opened in May 2010 and is the largest undercover livestock selling centre in Australia, with an annual capacity of 120,000 cattle and 1,000,000 sheep. The Tronox (formerly Tiwest) mineral sands processing plant is located a few kilometres north of Muchea on Brand Highway.