Northampton
Town
Population 814
Northampton, nestled in the valley of Nokarena Brook, 51 kilometres north of Geraldton, was awarded Historic Town status by the National Trust in 1993. It was declared a townsite in 1864 and is one of the oldest settlements in Western Australia. A former lead-mining centre, its prosperity is now based on sheep- and wheat-farming.
Visitor Information
Old police station, Hampton Rd; (08) 9934 1488
Nearby national parks
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Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri National Park is famous for its spectacular scenery, which features rugged coastal cliffs and towering river gorges, and its...more -
Nambung National Park
The unique attraction of Nambung National Park is the strange, mysterious landscape created by thousands of huge limestone pillars rising up...more
Nearby towns
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Geraldton
Situated on the spectacular Batavia Coast, Geraldton is the largest town in the mid-west region. As a port city, it is the major centre for...more -
Greenough
Lying 24 kilometres south of Geraldton, the Greenough Flats form a flood plain close to the mouth of the Greenough River. At its peak in...more -
Kalbarri
Kalbarri lies at the mouth of the Murchison River, flanked by Kalbarri National Park. Established in 1951, the town is a popular holiday...more
In Town
Chiverton House Historical Museum: unusual memorabilia housed in what was originally the home of Captain Samuel Mitchell, mine manager and geologist. Surrounding gardens include herbarium and restored farm machinery; open 10am–12pm and 2–4pm Fri–Mon; Hampton Rd. Mary Street Railway Precinct: railway memorabilia at the site of the town's 2nd railway station, built 1913; Eastern end. Church of Our Lady in Ara Coeli: designed in 1936 by Monsignor John Hawes, WA's famous architect-priest; Hampton Rd. Gwalla Church and Cemetery: ruins of town's first church (1864); Gwalla St. Hampton Road Heritage Walk: 2 km walk includes 37 buildings of historical interest including the Miners Arms Hotel (1868) and the Old Railway Station (1879); contact visitor centre for map.
Nearby
Alma School House: built in 1916 as a one-teacher school; 12 km N. Aboriginal cave paintings: at the mouth of the Bowes River; 17 km W. Oakabella Homestead: one of the first farms in WA to plant canola, or rapeseed as it was then known. Take a guided tour of the historic homestead and outbuildings; open daily Mar–Nov; 18 km S. Horrocks Beach: beautiful bays, sandy beaches, good swimming, fishing and surfing; 20 km W. Lynton Station: ruins of labour-hiring depot for convicts, used in 1853–56; 35 km NW. Lynton House: squat building with slits for windows, probably designed as protection from hostile Aboriginal people; 35 km NW. Principality of Hutt River: visitors are given a tour by the royals of this 75 sq km principality. With their own government, money and postage stamps, Hutt River exists as an independent sovereign state, seceded from Australia in 1970; 35 km NW. Hutt Lagoon: appears pink in midday sun; 45 km NW. Port Gregory: beach settlement, ideal for swimming, fishing and windsurfing; 47 km NW. Warribano Chimney: Australia's first lead smelter; 60 km N.
Fishing spots near town
Kalbarri 86 km
The Murchison River at Kalbarri, about six hours’ drive north of Perth, produces a variety of fish including bream to 52 cm. ‘We also catch small mulloway in the river, yellowfin whiting, blue manna and green... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Geraldton Meteorological Office 47 km
For something different, you can learn how modern weather-forecasting works and the measuring instruments involved, in a 40-minute midday tour of the Geraldton Meteorological Office that culminates in the release of one... Find out moreSnorkelling in Kalbarri National Park 83 km
Near Kalbarri there are several top snorkelling spots, including the protected Blue Holes, Red Bluff and Chinamans Beach.... Find out moreCanoeing the Murchison River 84 km
A couple of companies offer canoe safaris down the Murchison River, with transport by 4WD. Try Kalbarri Adventure Tours or Kalbarri Boat Hire and Canoe Safaris, which also hires out canoes and paddleboats.... Find out moreSnorkelling and diving around Jurien Bay and Geraldton 220 km
You can snorkel face-to-face with sea-lions in Jurien Bay Marine Park, or join a boat tour to see them up close. Jurien Charters in Jurien Bay also offers diving on rock walls with lionfish, butterflyfish and wrasse.... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Credited with the longest continuous licence in Western Australia, the tavern displays a fascinating history of the district on its walls. Serving wholesome food, the menu changes regularly and the pizza are very... Find out more
Campsites around town
Coronation Beach camping area 23 km
Visitors will find sites dispersed among the coastal vegetation on the beach here, a great spot to swim, fish, snorkel or just relax to the sound of the waves lapping the shore. You need to bring your own drinking... Find out moreEllendale Pool camping area 65 km
Ellendale Pool camping area is a delightful spot 47 km east of Geraldton via Ellendale Rd. Bring a gas/fuel stove and drinking water. Visitors will find a lovely freshwater pool that laps at a sheer cliff face surrounded... Find out moreBreakaway camping area 111 km
Located just off Coalseam Rd from the Mingenew–Mullewa Rd, 34 km north of Mingenew, Breakaway camping area is set in a bush environment in an area noted for its wildflowers and mining heritage. Bring along a... Find out moreMiners Camp camping area 111 km
Basic facilities are provided in a natural bush setting that’s perfect for bushwalking and exploring the heritage associated with WA’s first coalmine. Come equipped with a gas/fuel stove and drinking water.... Find out moreLake Indoon camping area 177 km
This large, freshwater lake covers 130 ha, with a depth varying from 1.5 m to 5 m, depending on the seasons and rainfall. The lake is on the Brand Hwy, 12 km west of Eneabba. The camping area offers visitors a range of... Find out moreCarnamah Caravan Park 192 km
This small caravan park is on King St, off McPherson Street in Carnamah, a historic little country town with many of its old buildings intact. If you’re into fossicking, you’ll love visiting this area rich in... Find out moreJurien Bay Caravan Park 220 km
A haven for anglers, divers, snorkellers, surfers and boaters, Jurien Bay is around 266 km north of Perth. The beaches here are sheltered and pristine, thanks to loads of reefs and offshore islands that protect this part... Find out moreHamelin Pool Caravan Park 221 km
This park has shady grassed sites near the foreshore, set around the old telegraph station established in 1884. Visitors have the opportunity to view very interesting stromatolite structures only a short walk away. The... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Batavia Coast Caravan Park 38 km
On the outskirts of Geraldton, this spacious dog-friendly park is easily accessible from the North West Coastal Highway. The semi-rural quiet setting will appeal to many. The park is owner operated. Bookings are required... Find out morePort Gregory Caravan Park 41 km
Located in the centre of this small historic town, the park is neatly maintained and will appeal to those looking for a quieter location close to the seaside. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreSunset Beach Holiday Park 41 km
Located on the beach 6 km north of the city and in a quiet location, this is a popular park with tourists and is easily accessible from Highway One. The park is well appointed and a good base from which to explore the... Find out moreDouble Beach Holiday Village 56 km
Set at the mouth of the Greenough River just 10 km south of Geraldton, this large, wellshaded park is protected from the onshore winds. Cook in the camp kitchen or buy takeaway food from the park’s well-stocked... Find out moreKalbarri Tudor Holiday Park 84 km
This is a good quality park in an exciting seaside location. The park, not on the beach, is about 1 km from the centre of town. Bookings required in peak periods.... Find out moreMurchison Caravan Park 85 km
This family-operated park is across the road from the water and is located in the heart of Kalbarri. It is a good quality tourist park. Pets are allowed outside school holidays. Bookings are required in school holidays... Find out moreMullewa Caravan Park 88 km
On the highest hill in town this council-operated park is as neat as a pin with kerbed roadways, green grass and most amenities. Mullewa is a great base for exploring this spectacular, wildflower region in springtime.... Find out moreSeaspray Beach Holiday Park 104 km
Located on the edge of the water, this park is a good base for a holiday in the town. The owners also operate the adjoining resort, restaurant and fishing charter. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreDongara Denison Beach Holiday Park 106 km
This smaller park is ideally located on an estuary and you can enjoy a stroll to the busy boat harbour. It has very good amenities and big motorhomes can fit here, although not on the ensuite sites. The park is busy in... Find out moreWestern Flora Caravan Park 153 km
Located 22 km north of Eneabba, time a visit to this park during the wildflower season when more than 300 varieties of stunning flowering plants can be viewed on the property and more than 2000 varieties within 40 km of... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
The Old Miners’ Cottages B&B is set on established grounds watered by the Bowes River, which flows into the Indian Ocean. Long Cottage has two B&B rooms and can sleep up to eight adults, while Moyle’s... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Riverside Sanctuary, Ajana 58 km
More than ten years ago, the owners of this sheep and wheat farm, inland from Kalbarri, noticed the environmental degradation on their property from many years of soil tillage compounded by erosion and compaction from... Find out moreRest areas around town
Oakabella Rest Area 14 km
17 km S of Northampton (R) or 34 km N of Geraldton (L) Small area just off the highway among a few trees. Limited shade. GPS: S28 28.525 E114 38.074... Find out moreCoronation Beach Camp Area 23 km
T/O 24 km S of Northampton (R) or 27 km N of Geraldton (L) Secluded foreshore camp area surrounded by low scrub 8 kilometres west of the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S28 33.135 E114 33.881... Find out moreMurchison River Rest Area 58 km
120 km S of Billabong (L) or 61 km N of Northampton (R) Large secluded area well off the highway on the banks of the river in a natural bush setting. Good shade. GPS: S27 49.683 E114 41.309 ... Find out moreEllendale Pool Camp Area 66 km
T/O 28 km S of Geraldton (L) or 37 km N of Dongara (R) Large campground located 27 kilometres east of the highway via Walkaway in a natural bush setting on the banks of Greenough River. Good facilities and shade. ... Find out moreAlinta Park Area 66 km
T/O 28 km SW of Geraldton (L) or 37 km N of Dongara (R) Small area located 15 kilometres east of the highway at the Wind Farm Lookout on the road to Ellendale. GPS: S28 54.235 E114 53.308... Find out moreThe S Bend Rest Area 71 km
29 km S of Geraldton (L) or 36 km N of Dongara (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S28 58.533 E114 47.034... Find out moreFlat Rocks Rest Area 75 km
T/O 33 km S of Geraldton (R) or 32 km N of Dongara (L) Small area located on the foreshore, 2 kilometres west of the highway. GPS: S29 00.766 E114 46.731 ... Find out moreSeven Mile Beach Rest Area 94 km
T/O 55 km S of Geraldton (R) or 10 km N of Dongara (L) Large open area located on the foreshore, 2 kilometres west of the highway. GPS: S29 10.181 E114 53.336... Find out moreTanks Rest Area 104 km
70 km S of Billabong (L) or 111 km N of Northampton (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S27 24.838 E114 40.015 ... Find out moreDongara East Rest Area 107 km
T/O 7 km SE of Dongara (L) or 73 km N of Eneabba (R) Large area 1 kilometre east of the highway via Midland Road. Good shade. GPS: S29 15.301 E115 00.819... Find out moreNerren Rest Area 126 km
46 km S of Billabong (R) or 135 km N of Northampton (L) Large area just off the highway among some trees. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S27 12.714 E114 36.765... Find out moreTwin Hills Rest Area 145 km
49 km S of Dongara (R) or 31 km N of Eneabba (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 34.700 E115 08.151... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Market: Kings Park, cnr Essex St and Hampton Rd; 1st Sat each month.
Airing of the Quilts: quilts hung in main street; Oct.
