Wagin
Postcode: 6315
Wagin is an inland town about three hours’ drive southeast of Perth. The town is the centre of a thriving Merino stud industry and proud home to the Wagin Woolorama, Western Australia’s largest agricultural show, held annually in early March.
The name of the town is derived from Wagin Lake, a usually dry salt lake south of the town. The name is Aboriginal, having been first recorded for the lake by a surveyor in 1869-72. There is uncertainty about the actual meaning of ‘Wagin’ but it is likely that it either means ‘the place where emus watered’ or is a variation of ‘wedge-an’ an Aboriginal word for ’emu’.
The Wagin Historical Village depicts a real pioneering village as it was 100 years ago. A bank, a one room school (built at the turn of the century), a stone kiosk, newspaper office, mud brick settlers’ cottage, wattle and daub cottage blacksmith, general store, a Wool Museum, Historical Stone Church and Bottle Collection.
To celebrate its role in the Merino stud industry, Wagin has built a replica of a ram, the biggest in the Southern hemisphere. Located in the Wetlands Park it is visited by thousands of visitors every year. Adjacent to the Giant Ram, a walkway meanders between ponds and waterfalls. A variety of accommodation is available including hotels, motels and a caravan park.