Armadale, Western Australia: Location And Surroundings

where is armadale western australia

Armadale is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located on the south-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan region. The suburb is within the City of Armadale, which is a residential, semi-rural, and rural area. The City of Armadale covers 545 square kilometres and includes many parks, reserves, and state forests. The main urban areas within the City of Armadale include the suburb of Armadale, as well as Kelmscott, Mount Nasura, Mount Richon, Seville Grove, and Westfield. Armadale has a rich history, including being the site of Western Australia's first mine in 1846 and the hiding place of the famous bushranger Moondyne Joe in the 1860s. Today, Armadale is known for attractions such as the Elizabethan Village, the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre, and the Aboriginal Interpretative Centre.

Characteristics Values
Location South-eastern edge of Perth, Western Australia
Population 62,296 (2011 census)
Distance from Perth CBD 28 kilometres
Land Area 545-560 square kilometres
Government City of Armadale, divided into seven wards, each with two councillors and a mayor elected from among the councillors
Transport Armadale railway line, Albany Highway, Brookton Highway, Tonkin Highway, State Route 14 (Armadale Road), State Route 30 (Albany Highway), State Route 20 (South Western Highway)
History Long occupied by Aboriginal people, including the Nyoongar people; site of the Swan River Colony's first mine in 1846; established as a military outpost in 1830; township of Armadale formally gazetted in 1909
Attractions Old Jarrah Tree, Elizabethan Village, Aboriginal Interpretative Centre, Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre, History House Museum

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Armadale is a suburb of Perth

The history of Armadale dates back to the early occupation of the district by the Nyoongar people, members of the Wajuk Aboriginal language group. In 1829, the site was explored by Ensign Robert Dale, and in 1830, the township of Kelmscott was gazetted and established as a military outpost. The area now known as Armadale became the site of the Swan River Colony's first mine in 1846, with the Western Australian Mining Company extracting lead and copper. The township of Armadale was formally gazetted in 1909, and over the years, it has developed into a thriving suburb with a range of amenities and attractions.

One of the notable features of Armadale is the Old Jarrah Tree, located at the corner of Third Road and Church Avenue. The tree is estimated to be between 400 and 800 years old and is the most ancient recognisable feature in the Armadale CBD. Another historic site is Cole's Shaft, located off Bedfordale Hill Road, which is the remains of Western Australia's oldest mining venture. Armadale is also home to the History House Museum, accompanied by a historic church and school that was relocated to the site in 1987.

The suburb offers a range of educational opportunities, including the Australian Trades College campus, which specialises in carpentry, joinery, cabinet making, and electrical trades. Armadale also has a variety of attractions, such as the Elizabethan Village, a facsimile of Shakespeare's Birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage, and the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre, which houses over 200 reptiles and 350 animals. The city also recognises the contributions of Italian settlers with a memorial park and sculpture near Sanctuary Lake.

Overall, Armadale is a vibrant suburb of Perth, offering a blend of residential and natural areas, a rich history, and a range of cultural and educational amenities for its residents and visitors.

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Aboriginal Interpretive Centre

Armadale is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located on the south-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan region. The area, abundant in natural resources, was historically occupied by Aboriginal people before the founding of the Swan River Colony. Today, Armadale is a bustling suburb with a rich cultural heritage.

One notable feature of Armadale is the Champion Lakes Aboriginal Interpretive Centre. This centre is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Aboriginal culture and art. The centre showcases the artwork of renowned local Aboriginal artist Shane Pickett, who was mentored by sculptor Stuart Green in interpreting his canvas art into metal sculptures. The result is a beautiful and innovative design that has gained the support of the local Aboriginal community.

The Aboriginal Interpretive Centre is not just a static gallery but also a dynamic space that fosters creativity and provides artistic opportunities for Aboriginal people. It has worked with over 100 Aboriginal artists, both locally and nationally, to showcase their talent and share their stories. The centre also offers a diverse range of programmes, exhibitions, workshops, events, and educational initiatives.

Visitors to the centre can expect to find a variety of artefact collections, including items of ceremonial and sacred nature, carved and scarred trees, and stone tools. The stone tool collection is particularly significant, believed to be one of the largest and most important in Western Australia. The centre also offers a unique bush tucker walk, a yarning circle, and tours that delve into the rich cultural history behind each display.

In addition to the Aboriginal Interpretive Centre, Armadale has several other attractions. These include the Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum, Dr Colyer's house in the English vernacular revival style, and the Pioneer Village, a tourist development evoking a historic gold rush town. Armadale's convenient location at the junction of major highways and its well-connected railway line make it easily accessible for visitors.

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Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre

Armadale is a suburb of Perth, located on the south-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan region in Western Australia. It is the terminus of the Armadale railway line, which connects the suburb to Perth's CBD and other suburban centres.

Now, let's focus on the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre, which has been a popular attraction in Armadale since its opening in 1995. The centre is a labour of love for owners Klaas and Mieke Gaikhorst, who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating native animals, particularly reptiles. With over 50 reptile species and more than 350 animals on site, the centre offers a fascinating insight into Australia's unique wildlife.

The Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre is home to a large variety of native reptiles, including snakes, lizards, turtles, and frogs, as well as other Australian wildlife such as marsupials, birds, and even a large female saltwater crocodile. The centre also has a rescue and rehabilitation program, taking in injured, sick, abandoned, or confiscated animals and providing them with the care they need. This aspect of the centre's work is particularly important to Klaas and Mieke, who have witnessed the unnecessary killing of harmless reptiles due to people's inability to identify them correctly.

The centre is open to the public six days a week, from 10 am to 4 pm, and offers reptile handling sessions at 11:30 am and 2 pm daily. During these sessions, visitors can touch or hold some of the more docile snakes and lizards, providing a unique opportunity to connect with these often-misunderstood creatures. School and social groups are welcome to visit, with discounts offered for larger groups, and the centre is wheelchair-friendly, ensuring accessibility for all.

Located in Armadale, Western Australia, the Reptile and Wildlife Centre is easily accessible via the Armadale railway line or by road, with bus routes also serving the area. A visit to the centre not only provides an educational and entertaining experience but also directly supports the centre's important wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts.

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Armadale's history of mining

Armadale, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, has a rich history of mining that dates back to the mid-19th century. In 1846, the Swan River Colony's first mine, known as Cole's Shaft, was established in the area by the Western Australian Mining Company. The aim was to extract lead and copper ores, which had been found in the region. Over the next few years, shafts were dug and contractors purchased land, however, there was little yield, and the operation was wound up by 1850. One of the shafts from this early mining venture, located south of Bedfordale Hill Road, still exists today and is recognised as a heritage site.

The discovery of these mineral resources attracted people to the area, and by the 1850s, Armadale was becoming more established. Convict labour was used to build a road connecting Armadale to Perth, and in 1853, the Narrogin Inn, the township's first building, was constructed. The district also gained its first police station in 1858. During this time, the area was a popular hiding place for Moondyne Joe, Western Australia's most notorious bushranger.

In the 1860s, pastoralists and timber workers began moving into the district, clearing land and establishing farms and sawmills. Jarrah, red gum, and sheoak trees were felled and used for building projects along the coast. This period also saw the arrival of the original prospectors for Cole's Shaft mine, Thomas Gilman and Samuel Duffield. A public meeting was held in Perth in 1866, leading to the formation of the W.A. Mining Company to further develop the site. Land was purchased, and a qualified mineralogist, Dr Ferdinand Von Sommer, and a mine foreman, Thomas, were brought in from South Australia.

While the Cole's Shaft mine was one of the earliest mining ventures in Western Australia, it did not see active mining until 1869. The shaft was deepened, and various costeans and trenches were dug, but the overall yield was limited. Nonetheless, the mining efforts in Armadale contributed to the broader mining industry in Western Australia, which has historically been a significant economic driver for the state.

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The City of Armadale's government

Armadale is a suburb of Perth within the City of Armadale, located on the southeastern edge of the Perth metropolitan region. The City of Armadale maintains 615km of roads and a little over 14km² of parks and gardens. The city is divided into seven wards, each with two councillors, and the mayor is elected from among the councillors.

The City of Armadale acknowledges the Traditional Owners and the Custodians of the land, recognising Aboriginal people as the First Peoples of the land with spiritual and cultural connections. The City of Armadale provides a range of services to its residents, including support programs, community events, environmental initiatives, health and fitness resources, and information on local planning, development permits, and business registration. Council and Committee meetings are held monthly.

The City of Armadale is home to heritage sites such as Araluen Botanic Park, the Canning Contour Channel, and the Old Jarrah Tree, which is estimated to be between 400 and 800 years old. The city also offers educational opportunities, with the Australian Trades College campus specialising in carpentry, joinery, cabinet making, and electrical trades.

Armadale is accessible via key roads, including Armadale Road, Albany Highway, and the South Western Highway, and it serves as the terminus of the Armadale railway line, connecting the suburb to Perth's CBD and surrounding areas.

Frequently asked questions

Armadale is a suburb of Perth within the City of Armadale, located on the south-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan region.

The population of Armadale was recorded to be 62,296 in the 2011 census.

Armadale covers 560 square kilometres of land, including parks, reserves, and state forests.

Armadale has several attractions, including the Aboriginal Interpretative Centre, the Elizabethan Village, and the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre.

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