Doodlakine, Western Australia
Town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
Doodlakine Store, 2014 | |
  Doodlakine | |
 Interactive map of Doodlakine | |
| Coordinates: 31.61°S 117.88°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| LGA | |
| Location |
|
| Established | 1891 |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area | |
• Total | 246.8 km2 (95.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 263 m (863 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 81 (SAL 2021)[1] |
| Postcode | 6411 |
History
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
The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.[6]
Rail services
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 | |||
