Northampton, Western Australia

Northampton is a historic town in the Mid West region of Western Australia. It is one of the state's oldest settlements outside of Perth, and the entire townsite was classified as a "historic town" by the National Trust of Australia in 1993. As of 2011, the town had a population of 868.

 Description 
Its location is approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles) north of Geraldton and about 480 kilometers (298 miles) north of Perth. The area was originally known as "The Mines" due to its early mining activity. It was gazetted (declared a town) in 1864 and named after the then-Governor of the colony, John Hampton. The local Aboriginal Noongar name for the area is Mooniemia. Historically based on mining (lead and copper) and later became a service center for agriculture, especially cereal crops like wheat. Today, tourism is also important, as it serves as a gateway to the coast, including Horrocks Beach, Port Gregory (famous for its pink lake), and the Kalbarri National Park.

 Historical Significance 
Northampton is a very important town in Western Australia's early industrial history. It is the site of the state's first major mining activity, with lead discovered in 1848 and copper in 1855. The first government-built railway line in Western Australia, which opened in 1879, ran from Geraldton to Northampton to transport the mined ore.

 Tourism 
Many of the town's buildings are made of local stone and reflect its rich history:
Hampton Road Heritage Walk: This walk covers 37 historically significant buildings, many of which were built by convicts.
Chiverton House Museum: A stone building that now operates as a museum showcasing artifacts, photos, and restored farm machinery from the region's pioneering and mining era.
Monsignor Hawes Buildings: The town features two notable buildings designed by the renowned architect-priest, Monsignor John Hawes:
Church of Our Lady in Ara Coeli (c. 1936)
Former Sacred Heart Convent (c. 1919)
Railway Precinct: Home to the remnants of the state's first government railway line, including station buildings and rolling stock.

 Natural Attractions 
Wildflowers: During the spring season (generally August to October), the surrounding area is a popular destination for viewing colorful native wildflowers.
Aboriginal Rock Art: Ancient Aboriginal rock art can be found near the Bowes River turnoff, showing the region's long Indigenous heritage.