Wiluna, Western Australia

Wiluna
Western Australia
Main Street in Wiluna
Wiluna
Coordinates26°35′42″S 120°13′30″E / 26.59500°S 120.22500°E / -26.59500; 120.22500
Population240 (UCL 2021)[1]
Established1898
Postcode(s)6646
Elevation521 m (1,709 ft)
Location
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
29.2 °C
85 °F
14.3 °C
58 °F
257.4 mm
10.1 in

Wiluna is a small town in the state of Western Australia, Australia. It is about 950 kilometres northeast of Perth, the capital city of the state. Wiluna is part of the Mid West region of Western Australia.

History

The area around Wiluna is home to the Martu people, who are Aboriginal Australians. They have lived in the region for thousands of years. Wiluna was founded in the early 1900s. It grew quickly when gold was found nearby. A railway reached the town in 1932, but it closed in 1957.

Population

As of the last census, about 200 to 300 people live in Wiluna. Many of them are Aboriginal.

Economy

Wiluna’s economy is based on mining and pastoral farming (raising animals like sheep and cattle). The town is close to several gold and nickel mines.

Transport

Wiluna is the start of the Canning Stock Route, a historic track used to move cattle across the desert. The town is connected by road, but there is no railway anymore.

Climate

Wiluna has a hot desert climate. Summers (December-February) are very hot and dry, but winters (June-August) are mild and sunny but are cold at night. Rain does not fall very often.

Geography

Wiluna is located at the Gibson Desert in the Outback and is far from other towns. The closest large town is Meekatharra, which is about 180 km away.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Wiluna (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.