Pioneer Way Story
ABOUT THE PIONEER WAY
Western Australia’s State Route 120 – the Great Southern Highway
(or the Northam-Cranbrook Road to give its official name)
passes through our Southern Wheatbelt and Great Southern
regions. It follows, in the main, the route of the
Great Southern Railway and the fifteen historic towns along
the way. It is the primary thoroughfare for this part of
Western Australia.
Route 120 The Pioneer Way gives an idea of what life was like
for those brave people who travelled into the middle of nowhere
to set up home, raise a family, and develop these towns into the
communities they are today.
Today, this region is vastly different from those early days when
people from all over the world settled and set up home, developed
farms and set the foundation for the towns and the region we have
become today. And, prior to settlement by Europeans, our indigenous
community lived a nomadic life travelling the land for thousands of years.
The Great Southern Railway was the catalyst for much of the
development. The first section was built from Midland Junction
to Beverley via Northam passing through what is now
John Forrest National Park. With the construction of the
standard gauge railway the line was rerouted through
the Avon Valley. In the 1880’s the line was extended from
Beverley to Albany to open up new rural land.
Route 120 (or Great Southern Highway), is often referred to as
“The Pioneer Way” or the “Heritage Highway”
due to the number of historic towns and buildings along its length.
York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia and is the
first major town on the highway. The town has embraced its
heritage with many pre-1900 and early 1900 buildings
restored to their original state.
Katanning is reputed to have the largest density of
Federation style homes and buildings in the state.
The town also boasts a number
of ‘firsts’ in the state:
The first house with hot and cold running water,
the first place in Western Australia to have
electric street lighting and the first public lending library.
All 15 towns along the route have an amazing historical
tale and amazing rural scenery to share with visitors.
Take the leisurely drive along Route 120 and see what all the towns
along the route have to offer. Perhaps stay a night or two in each of
the towns, enjoying their hospitality, and really explore the
diverse sights and heritage that this amazing region has to offer!
Many of the towns along this highway have prominent grain silos,
and Narrogin, Wagin and Katanning have remained important
population centres sustained by agriculture and its
supporting industries.
So, avoid the trucks on Albany Highway!
Start your holiday as soon as you leave Perth
by travelling via Route 120 – the Pioneer Way…
starting at historic York and ending at
Albany Highway near scenic Cranbrook,
the Stirling Range National Park
and the Frankland River Wine Region
Learn about the history of the town of Katanning HERE
Pioneer Way Story
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