Harrismith, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Harrismith is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
, approximately 260 kilometres (162 mi) south-east of Perth
between the towns of Wickepin
and Kulin
.
to Kondinin
in 1914, the government placed a siding at this location, naming it "South Dorakin". However, local settlers opposed the name, and suggested Harrismith, after Harry Smith, the first settler in the vicinity. The name change was approved and the town was gazetted in 1915.
. The area around Harrismith is home to wildflower
s in spring, especially verticordia
.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, approximately 260 kilometres (162 mi) south-east of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
between the towns of Wickepin
Wickepin, Western Australia
Wickepin is a town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, south-east of Perth and east of Narrogin. At the 2006 census, Wickepin had a population of 244.-History:...
and Kulin
Kulin, Western Australia
Kulin is a town located in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, approximately 280 km from Perth. It is the main town in the Shire of Kulin.- History :...
.
History
When a railway was being constructed from NarroginNarrogin, Western Australia
Narrogin is a large town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, southeast of Perth on the Great Southern Highway between Pingelly and Wagin...
to Kondinin
Kondinin, Western Australia
Kondinin is a town located in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, east of the state capital, Perth via the Brookton Highway and State Route 40 between Corrigin and Hyden. It is the main town in the Shire of Kondinin...
in 1914, the government placed a siding at this location, naming it "South Dorakin". However, local settlers opposed the name, and suggested Harrismith, after Harry Smith, the first settler in the vicinity. The name change was approved and the town was gazetted in 1915.
Present day
The town has a small hotel and caravan park as well as sports facilities. Other services are offered from nearby TincurrinTincurrin, Western Australia
Tincurrin is a small town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, south-east of Perth and within the Shire of Wickepin.-History:Tincurrin's name is of Aboriginal origin, and was first recorded in 1892 by J.O. Oxley, a surveyor, for a spring in the area, but the meaning is not known...
. The area around Harrismith is home to wildflower
Wildflower
A wildflower is a flower that grows wild, meaning it was not intentionally seeded or planted. Yet "wildflower" meadows of a few mixed species are sold in seed packets. The term "wildflower" has been made vague by commercial seedsmen who are interested in selling more flowers or seeds more...
s in spring, especially verticordia
Verticordia
Verticordia, a genus of the Myrtaceae family, are woody shrubs with small and exquisite flowers. They are mostly found in Southwest Australia, with several outlier species in northern regions. A revision of the genus in 1991 produced a classification within Verticordia of 3 subgenera, 24 sections,...
.