DESCRIPTION
Horrocks Beach is located 22 kilometres west of Northampton and is an ideal location for boating and fishing.
Fish that are caught in the area include tailor, mulloway, snapper, whiting and herring.
The Bowes River Mouth is a popular surfing location and bird species including pelicans, black swans, ducks, heron, egrets, eagles, terns and osprey can all
be found along the river.
Aboriginal art can is located in the Willigully Caves.
HISTORY
The town is named after an early settler, Joseph Horrocks, who arrived in the area in the 1850s.
Horrocks was originally sent to Australia as a convict for the offence of 'forging and uttering'. He arrived in Fremantle aboard the ship Marion
on the 31st of January 1852.
He worked as a medical attendant in Fremantle and was given a ticket of leave in June 1853.
In September 1853 he was appointed medical attendant at Lynton convict depot where he became the unofficial medical superintendent. Against regulations, he
treated free settlers in the area and dispensed medicine to them. He received a reprimand in 1854 and this led to his resignation.
On the 19th of April 1856 Horrocks received a conditional pardon and he then worked as a storekeeper and postmaster at Northampton and still continued to give
medical assistance to those who needed it. Horrocks didn't charge for the assistance he gave.
Later, in partnership with George Shenton, he was responsible for the development of four lead and copper mines. Horrocks purchased 100 acres of land, built a general store,
and built a church. Along with Shenton he built cottages for the miners that were let out at low rents. He also ensured miners had access to cheap
fruit and vegetables by developing a vegetable garden. If all this wasn't enough, he then built a flour mill.
Joseph Horrocks died at the Gwalla Mine aged 66 in 1884.
TALL TALES AND TRUE
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OTHER INFORMATION
ATTRACTIONS
Bowes River Mouth, Willy Gully Caves, Beach, Little Bay, Reef, Whale watching (in season).
BUILDINGS OF NOTE
Unknown.
ELECTORAL ZONES
State : Moore
Federal : Durack
OTHER INFO.
Postcode : 6535
Local Government : Shire of Northampton
PHOTOS
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