MOORA

HEMA Map reference 74/A3

30° 38' 31" S 116° 00' 19" E

Statistics

Caravan Parks

Moora                    08 9651 1401

Services

Attractions

Berkshire Valley & Folk Museum, Wildflowers in spring, Annual agricultural show, Moora Races, Local speedway racing, Heritage trail.

Buildings of note

St. James church 1911, Berkshire Valley Homestead 1847-84, St. John's church 1908, Post office 1896, Uniting church 1909, Town clock.

Calendar of events

Easter:  Country camp out. August (biennial odd years): Arts and crafts fair. August (biennial even years): Wool awards. September: Agricultural show. October: Races.

Description

George Fletcher Moore discovered the Moore River on an expedition in 1836 but the distance from settlements further south meant that settlement did not start until 1846 when the Lefroy brothers took out a pastoral lease. Cropping started soon afterwards but in 1851 the Government introduced legislation banning cropping on pastoral leases which reduced cropping to self sufficient use only.

In 1860 the Government tried to encourage small farmers to purchase land by reducing the cost from one pound to ten shillings an acre. This had the greatest benefit to the big land owners who quickly snapped up much of the available property. (Nothing changes much does it?)

A Perth to Geraldton rail link started construction in 1887 and the railhead reached Moora in 1893.

The largest town between Perth & Geraldton, it was not gazetted until 1895. The name is supposed to have originated from the Aboriginal name of a well west of the town (Maura). (Another source quotes ‘moora-moora’ or 'mau mau' which means good spirit.)
 

In 1919 Sir Norman Brearley flew his Tiger moth aeroplane to Moora and the whole town turned out to see the first delivery of newspapers by air in the state.

During WWII Moora had the dubious distinction of being the western end of the Brisbane Line. This was a line drawn across Australia from east to west and denoted as the area that was to be defended in the event of a Japanese invasion.

The town grew steadily and roads in the townsite were bitumised as early as 1932. Returned servicemen arrived in the area after World War II and strengthened the agricultural base of the region.

James Clinch established Berkshire Valley in 1842. The local historical society now operate the museum which is open to the public.

Each year on the Easter weekend the Moora Country Camp Out is held and offers a number of fun and interesting activities including a country music concert, rodeo and Big Breakfast.
 

The Moore River may not have had anything to do with naming the town and at least one source says the name comes from the Aboriginal word 'moora' which means blowfly.

The town is situated in one of the most interesting wildflowers areas of the state. There are two distinct botanical areas around the town and this results in a great variety of different flowers appearing each year between August and October. There are a number of wildflower drives around the town ranging in length from 5 to 31 kilometres.

Note: A useful collection of information about the district's early pioneers was published by the Moora Historical Society and the Shire of Moora in 1980 titled 'Some Commemorated Pioneers of the Moora District 1847-1917.'