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Wyalkatchem

WA 6485 • Western Australia

358
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
511.36 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralWheatbeltAgriculturalRemote
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About Wyalkatchem

Wyalkatchem is a town in the central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, situated approximately 192 kilometres north-east of Perth within the Shire of Wyalkatchem. With a 2021 Census population of 358, the town covers a large locality of over 511 square kilometres, reflecting the vast, open character of the WA grain belt. The town grew from a railway junction gazetted in 1911, established when the line from Dowerin was extended eastward, and its Aboriginal name — derived from a local waterhole recorded as 'Walkatching' in the 1870s — speaks to its deep pre-colonial history.

Wyalkatchem functions primarily as a service centre for the surrounding wheat and sheep farming district, with grain storage and handling central to local industry. The town features the heritage-listed Wyalkatchem Town Hall and offers the essential amenities of a Wheatbelt service town, including local businesses, a school, and community facilities. Residents enjoy a quiet rural lifestyle, and the town serves as a convenient stopover between Perth and the eastern Wheatbelt. Dowerin is the nearest neighbouring town at 35 kilometres to the west, while Merredin lies approximately 100 kilometres to the east.

Wyalkatchem falls under postcode 6485 and is governed by the Wyalkatchem Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Durack, while state elections fall under the Central Wheatbelt (Agricultural) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6485
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wyalkatchem
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Central Wheatbelt (Agricultural)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-31.18°, 117.38°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
511.36 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 6485

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 6485 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$54,677
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$89,006

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 6485; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus services — Perth / Merredin N/A

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
192 km
By Train
No passenger rail service; nearest Transperth train is from Northam (~140 km west)
By Car (Peak)
2–2.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr

🛣️ Great Eastern Highway is the main route to Perth; Dowerin (35 km west) and Merredin (100 km east) are nearest towns

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Wyalkatchem has some local services within the town centre, but most significant errands require driving to larger centres

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
358
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wyalkatchem known for? +

Wyalkatchem is a Wheatbelt service town known for its role as a grain-handling hub for the surrounding wheat and sheep farming district. The town name derives from an Aboriginal word for a local waterhole, first recorded in the 1870s, and the heritage-listed Town Hall is a local landmark.

How far is Wyalkatchem from Perth? +

Wyalkatchem is approximately 192 kilometres north-east of Perth, typically a 2 to 2.5 hour drive via the Great Eastern Highway.

Does Wyalkatchem have public transport? +

Wyalkatchem does not have regular passenger rail or bus services. The freight railway line through the town carries no passengers, and a private vehicle is essential for travel. The nearest Transperth train connections are from Northam, approximately 140 kilometres to the west.

What is the population of Wyalkatchem? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wyalkatchem has a population of 358 residents across its large 511 km² locality.

Is Wyalkatchem a good place to live? +

Wyalkatchem suits those comfortable with remote rural living, offering a quiet, affordable lifestyle in the heart of the WA Wheatbelt. It appeals to farming families and those who value wide open spaces, though residents need to travel for most goods and services beyond local basics.

What is the postcode for Wyalkatchem? +

The postcode for Wyalkatchem is 6485.