
CORRIGIN
Image by Jackie Grylls
The Corrigin community invites you to discover all the wonderful things Corrigin and the surrounds has to offer.
Making for a great rural getaway, Corrigin boasts a relaxing atmosphere, open skies, everchanging landscapes and a welcoming community. Visit the cafes for great coffee and wonderful treats to delight any sweet tooth, and you can always be guaranteed of a hearty meal in the country!
When you turn off the main highway, you will discover Corrigin’s vibrant main street and experience the warm and welcoming nature of the community. Learn about the towns rich agricultural history as it is showcased through museum displays and memorials.
The greater district boasts many spectacular advantage points to uninterrupted views; you’ll discover hidden gems and learn about what makes Corrigin special to those that live there. With accommodation options available for any traveler or visitor, from hotel, motel, BnB, caravan parks and RV friendly locations.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
Distance from Perth: 253km
Distance to Wave Rock: 112km
Population: 1,007 (census 2021)
Shire Size: 3,095 square kilometres
Gazetted: 1913
The Noongar Aboriginal People have lived and cared for this land now known as Corrigin for some 65,000 years’
One of three major groups in the Wheatbelt, the Njaki Njaki Nyoongar people traditional lands cover Corrigin and the towns of Nungarin, Trayning, Kununoppin, Doodlakine, Hines Hill, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Westonia, Carrabin, Bruce Rock, Hyden, Kalgarin, Kondinin, Kulin, Muntadgin, Shackleton, Narembeen and Moorine Rock. The townsite of Corrigin was first gazetted in 1913 as ‘Dondakin’. This name was derived from the adjacent railway siding, which in turn was a form of the Aboriginal name of a nearby soak, Dondakine Soak. The local name, "Corrigin", was not accepted by railway authorities at first because of the likelihood of confusion with another siding called "Korrijinn". Eventually, due to public protest, Korrijinn was changed to "Bickey", and Dondakin changed to Corrigin on 15 May 1914. Corrigin is named after Corrigin Well, another local Aboriginal name, first recorded in 1877. The meaning of the name is not known.
An agricultural town built on golden grain and sheep farms.
Before 1908, the only connection Corrigin had with the outside world was the railway track which ran to Southern Cross. At that time it was practically impossible to get anyone to take up land near the rabbit proof fence. Sheep were however run in the district as early as the 1860s with the leases for the Parker family extending down into the present Shire of Corrigin Shire area. A boom in sandalwood prices in the early 1880s saw sandalwood cutters move in to cut out as much of the aromatic timber as they could find. However, it wasn't until the early part of the twentieth century that significant numbers of people moved into the area to take up land and to settle permanently.
Corrigin - a Town of Windmills
Corrigin was widely known as ‘A Town of Windmills’ due to the abundant supply of ground water. Almost every home had a windmill until 1960 when the town was supplied with scheme water. The unique Corrigin town entry statements on Brookton Highway are indicative to the district, with a windmill, water tank, trough and post & rail fencing.