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
Map
Coordinates31°37′S 117°53′E / 31.61°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

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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

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

Rail services

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

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

References

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  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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