Doodlakine, Western Australia

Doodlakine is a town 220 km (140 mi) east of Perth, Western Australia. It is within the Shire of Kellerberrin along the Great Eastern Highway. The town has a crossing loop for trains on the Perth-to-Kalgoorlie railway and serves as a stop on the MerredinLink rural train service.

Doodlakine
Western Australia
Doodlakine Store, 2014
Doodlakine is located in Western Australia
Doodlakine
Doodlakine
Coordinates31.61°S 117.88°E / -31.61; 117.88
Population81 (SAL 2021)[1]
Established1891
Postcode(s)6411
Elevation263 m (863 ft)
Area246.8 km2 (95.3 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Kellerberrin
State electorate(s)Central Wheatbelt
Federal division(s)Durack

History

The area was first visited by Europeans in 1864 when explorers came and charted the area. The word Doodlakine is Aboriginal word for a particular rock formation north of the townsite.

An area close to the townsite, along the road to the Yilgarn goldfields and near a reliable water supply, was set aside in 1891 for a town to be established. This was gazetted as the Doodlakine townsite in the same year. Later a railway line was constructed through the area about 3 km (1.9 mi) south of the town, and the government soon subdivided area along the line. This area was gazetted as a second part of the townsite in 1899.[2]

In 1932 the Wheat Pool of Western Australia announced that the town would have two grain elevators, each fitted with an engine, installed at the railway siding.[3]

The town overflows with people each year during a music concert held at the pub. Hundreds of people come from around the state and camp behind the pub.[4]

Doodlakine is affectionately known by the locals as "Doodlie".[5]

Economy

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[6]

Rail services

Transwa's MerredinLink and Prospector services stop at Doodlakine, at least one service each day.[7][8]

Preceding station Transwa Transwa Following station
Kellerberrin
towards East Perth
 MerredinLink Hines Hill
towards Merredin
Prospector Hines Hill
towards Kalgoorlie

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Doodlakine (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. "History of country town names – D". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2008.
  3. "Country elevators". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  4. "Wheatbelt Tourism – Doodlakine". 2005. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2008.
  5. Hough, Frank. "Inaugural Speech: Hon Frank Hough, MLC" (PDF). Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  6. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  7. "Prospector Timetable" (PDF). Transwa. Public Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.

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