Welcome to Moora

The Shire of Moora is located in the northern Wheatbelt and generally lies between the Brand Highway and Great Northern Highway about 180 kilometres north of Perth. The Shire covers an area of 3,767 square kilometres. Towns which are under the Shire of Moora include:

• Bindi Bindi
• Coomberdale
• Koojan
• Miling
• Moora
• Walebing
• Watheroo

In 1908, the Moora Road District was created out of land from Victoria Plains. On 1 July 1961, it became a Shire under the Local Government Act 1960.

Local History

​The area was first explored by George Fletcher Moore who name the Moore River in 1836. The settlement of the area occurred in the 1840’s but there was no need for a township. As late 1873 ,when the telegraph passed through the area, the operator was a member of the family Berkshire Valley. The town eventually grew up on the banks of the river and was officially gazetted on April 1895.It was named after some sort of corruption of ‘Maura’ which was said to be the name local Aborigines gave to a well to the west of the town.

The town is the most substantial wheat belt town between Geraldton and Perth. The town provides facilities and services such as commercial banks, schools, commerce and retail sectors, community recreational facilities; plus a Pharmacy, Dentist, Doctors and District Hospital.

Commercial area

The surrounding areas produce wheat and other cereal crops. The town is a receival site for Cooperative Bulk Handling.

Natural disasters

The town was left underwater in 1932 when heavy rainfall inundated the town causing severe flooding. The town was left isolated as both rail lines and roads had portions washed away. Over half the town was submerged to a depth of 3 feet (90 cm) and once the waters receded was left under a thick coating of mud. Crops and stock in the surrounding area were also lost.

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.[4] 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.

Education

Moora is home to the Central Midlands Senior High School, Moora Primary School and St Joseph’s School (SJSM) – a Catholic private co-educational primary school.[5]

Recreation

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.

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.

Nature

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.[6] Surrounding the town are several rural activities (such as the growing of wheat, barley, canola, oaten hay and lupins, as well as the raising of sheep, cattle and pigs) and a silica mine located 15 km north of the townsite.