Hyden, Western Australia

The town of Hyden is located 292 kilometres (181 mi) east-southeast of Perth, Western Australia in the Shire of Kondinin. Hyden is home to Wave Rock, Mulka's Cave and Hippos Yawn, all popular local tourist attractions.

Hyden
Western Australia
The Hyden Memorial Hall in 2020
Hyden is located in Western Australia
Hyden
Hyden
Coordinates32.45°S 118.86°E / -32.45; 118.86
Population384 (SAL 2021)[1]
Established1922
Postcode(s)6359
Elevation305 m (1,001 ft)
Area2,024.8 km2 (781.8 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Kondinin
State electorate(s)Wagin
Federal division(s)O'Connor

The traditional owners of the area are the Aboriginal Australian group the Njakinjaki people, who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. The many granite outcrops, land formations, waterways as well as flora and fauna are still culturally significant to them.[2]

Sandalwood cutters were thought to be the earliest European visitors in the area.[3]

The land in the surrounding area was opened up for agriculture in the 1920s. A railway was built between Kondinin and Hyden Rock in 1930. The townsite was gazetted in 1932 following demand for land around the railway terminus.[4]

The first wheat crop was harvested in Hyden in 1927.[5]

The Hyden Progress Association was established prior to 1931 when the town was home to about 100 settlers. In 1931 the town had another large wheat crop, which was transported from the railway terminus at Lake Grace. The town was being surveyed and already had an oil depot, tea rooms and an agency with a store being constructed. A large catchment of water had also been built at Hyden Rock.[6]

By 1933 the railway line from Lake Grace to Hyden was completed.[7]

In 1933 the Progress Association built a pavilion at the existing sports ground and plans were made to construct a town hall.[8] The hall was completed prior to 1935.[9]

The town's economy continues to rely on agriculture, mostly in the form of cattle and sheep production that has a current value of approximately $35 million. The town also benefits from mining and tourism.[5]

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a grain receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[10]

Around 100,000 tourists visit the town throughout the year while travelling to Wave Rock, which is 4 km (2.5 mi) to the east of the townsite. Other visitors arrive during the wildflower season between September and December to see the many wildflower species that bloom at the time and different birds that feed on the blossom.[3]

Wave Rock Wildlife Park

Wave Rock Wildlife Park is located in Hyden, and is set in 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of natural bushland. The inhabitants include: koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, bettongs, possums, alpacas, camels, donkeys and a variety of birds such as emus, owls and swans. Native lizards freely inhabit the park and a cafe is on site for visitors.[11]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Hyden (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. "Welcome to Country". Wave Rock Hotel. 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  3. "Hyden". Central Wheatbelt Visitor Centre. 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  4. "History of country town names – H". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  5. "West Australian Vista - History of Hyden". 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  6. "Hyden Rock". Sunday Times (Perth). No. 1719. Western Australia. 4 January 1931. p. 22. Retrieved 30 August 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Hyden Rock Railway". Western Mail. Vol. XLVIII, no. 2, 478. Western Australia. 10 August 1933. p. 38. Retrieved 30 August 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Country News". The West Australian. Vol. XLIX, no. 9, 723. Western Australia. 28 August 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Country News". The West Australian. Vol. 51, no. 15, 369. Western Australia. 26 September 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 30 August 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "CBH receival sites" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  11. "Get in touch". Wave Rock. Retrieved 12 October 2021.

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