Bakers Hill, Western Australia Explained

Type:town
Bakers Hill
State:wa
Lga:Shire of Northam
Local Map:yes
Zoom:11
Coordinates:-31.751°N 116.455°W
Postcode:6562
Est:1897
Elevation:330
Maxtemp:23.0
Mintemp:10.8
Rainfall:551.6
Stategov:Central Wheatbelt
Fedgov:Pearce
Dist1:73
Dir1:ENE
Location1:Perth
Dist2:24
Dir2:SW
Location2:Northam

Bakers Hill is a town 73km (45miles) east of Perth, Western Australia on the Great Eastern Highway. The town is located within the Shire of Northam, between Wundowie and Clackline. At the, Bakers Hill had a population of 1276.

History

The town was originally known as Mount Baker when it was established in 1897. In 1902, the name was changed to Baker's Hill to avoid confusion with the town of Mount Barker in the Great Southern area. The apostrophe was removed from the name in 1944.

Military history

During World War II, Bakers Hill was the location of the 62nd Field Park Company of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE).[1]

Railways

Bakers Hill was also a station and siding on the second route of the Eastern Railway between Midland Junction and Spencers Brook. This track was closed in 1966 when the route through the Avon Valley was opened.[2]

Although the rail was removed in 1980, remnants of the old station platform are still visible.[3]

Climate

Bakers Hill has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cool, rather wet winters.

Notes and References

  1. [Graham McKenzie-Smith]
  2. Zeplin, N (1967) The Avon Valley Deviation Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, December 1967 pp253-265
  3. Web site: Copley. Don. Stations, Sidings and Railway Locations Of Western Australia - Bakers Hill. 27 January 2005. 8 June 2007.