Moora, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Moora is a townsite located 177 km north of Perth
in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
. Moora was one of the original stations on the Midland railway line to Walkaway
, and the townsite was gazetted in 1895. At the 2006 census
, Moora had a population of 1,605.
In March 1999, the town suffered a major flood
when ex-Tropical Cyclone
Elaine caused the Moore River
to break its banks with the evacuation of 1000 people. Just as the community was recovering, another major rainfall event on the already saturated land in May the same year caused yet another flood in the town.
The town is the most substantial wheat belt town between Geraldton
and Perth. The town provides facilities and services such as commercial bank
s, schools, commerce and retail sectors, community recreational facilities; plus a Pharmacy, Dentist, Doctors and District Hospital.
The Moora Agricultural Show is held every year in September and includes a full Equestrian Program, Fire Works, Fashion Parade, entertainment and some exciting exhibits.
The Moora Cup Race Day is one of the biggest events on Moora's social calendar and is held every year in October.
At Easter Moora hosts the Speedway for some jam-packed excitement trackside!
Many tourist attractions can be found around the Moora District, ranging from the Western Wildflower Farm to the abundance of hand-painted murals and the Moora Town Clock. As such, Moora is often a popular stopover for tourist’s en route to holiday destinations and those following the wildflower trail.
Moora lies within the Moora Important Bird Area
, so identified by BirdLife International
because it supports up to 60 breeding pairs of the endangered Short-billed Black Cockatoo. Surrounding the town are several rural activities (such as the growing of wheat, barley, canola
, oaten hay and lupin
s, as well as the raising of sheep, cattle and pigs) and a silica mine located 15 km north of the townsite.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Moora was one of the original stations on the Midland railway line to Walkaway
Walkaway, Western Australia
Walkaway is a small town in the City of Greater Geraldton local government area of Western Australia. At the 2006 census, Walkaway had a population of 262....
, and the townsite was gazetted in 1895. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Moora had a population of 1,605.
In March 1999, the town suffered a major flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
when ex-Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
Elaine caused the Moore River
Moore River (Western Australia)
Moore River is a river in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia.The headwaters of the river near Walebing and flow westerly before joining with the Moore river East near Mogumber then flow in a Westerly direction...
to break its banks with the evacuation of 1000 people. Just as the community was recovering, another major rainfall event on the already saturated land in May the same year caused yet another flood in the town.
The town is the most substantial wheat belt town between Geraldton
Geraldton, Western Australia
Geraldton is a city and port in Western Australia located north of Perth in the Mid West region. Geraldton has an estimated population at June 2010 of 36,958...
and Perth. The town provides facilities and services such as commercial bank
Commercial bank
After the implementation of the Glass–Steagall Act, the U.S. Congress required that banks engage only in banking activities, whereas investment banks were limited to capital market activities. As the two no longer have to be under separate ownership under U.S...
s, schools, commerce and retail sectors, community recreational facilities; plus a Pharmacy, Dentist, Doctors and District Hospital.
The Moora Agricultural Show is held every year in September and includes a full Equestrian Program, Fire Works, Fashion Parade, entertainment and some exciting exhibits.
The Moora Cup Race Day is one of the biggest events on Moora's social calendar and is held every year in October.
At Easter Moora hosts the Speedway for some jam-packed excitement trackside!
Many tourist attractions can be found around the Moora District, ranging from the Western Wildflower Farm to the abundance of hand-painted murals and the Moora Town Clock. As such, Moora is often a popular stopover for tourist’s en route to holiday destinations and those following the wildflower trail.
Moora lies within the Moora Important Bird Area
Moora Important Bird Area
Moora Important Bird Area comprises a fragmented area of 685 ha centred on the rural township of Moora, in the whatbelt region of south-west Western Australia. It lies about 175 km north of Perth...
, so identified by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
because it supports up to 60 breeding pairs of the endangered Short-billed Black Cockatoo. Surrounding the town are several rural activities (such as the growing of wheat, barley, canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
, oaten hay and lupin
Lupin
Lupinus, commonly known as Lupins or lupines , is a genus in the legume family . The genus comprises about 280 species , with major centers of diversity in South and western North America , and the Andes and secondary centers in the Mediterranean region and Africa Lupinus, commonly known as Lupins...
s, as well as the raising of sheep, cattle and pigs) and a silica mine located 15 km north of the townsite.