Travel through open farmland vistas that change with the seasons. Yellow fields of canola and green fields of wheat, oats or barley in winter and spring give way to the golden hues of early summer and the patchwork quilt of ploughed fields in the autumn.

Stay a while and enjoy a country experience....

Spending time in a Wheatbelt town, waking up on a farm stay, meeting the locals at a bed and breakfast or over the counter, having a drink at a country pub - these are all ways to touch the country lifestyle of the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Mingle with the locals at market days and events.

Try working on a farm or at a rural wheat bin and really get involved.

Background

Broad acre dry land farming is the backbone of the Central Wheatbelt. Around 40% of the States grain harvest comes from the region. The CBH Grain Storage and Transfer Depot at Merredin is capable of storing up to 470,000 tonnes of grain while every town has its wheat silos and rail network.

Research into wheat varieties, agronomy, and agricultural pests and diseases is a continuing process. The Dryland Research Institute at Merredin and the Wongan Hills Research Station, operated by Agriculture WA, are the major research organisation in the region.

The region holds many heritage sites and museums that illustrate the evolution of the grain industry, the machinery used and the dedication of generations of farmers and railway people in establishing the efficient industry there is today.

A drive through the industrial areas of Merredin and other country towns will illustrate the industries that rely on the growing of grain. These include silo manufacturing, machinery sales, fabrication and machinery servicing.

One of the largest machinery field days in the State, The Dowerin Field Day is held in August each year.

For pictures of the Wheatbelt view the Scenery Gallery.