The Shire of Cunderdin is 1,872 square kilometres in area and has a population of 1,302 (ABS, 2021 Census).

Key industries within the Shire of Cunderdin include cereal and livestock farming, manufacturing, construction, retail trade and transport.

The Shire of Cunderdin is located 158km east of Perth and includes the townsites of Cunderdin and Meckering.

On 14 December 1894, the Meckering Road District was created, changing its name to the Cunderdin Road District on 3 November 1944. On 1 July 1961, it became a Shire following the enactment of the Local Government Act 1960, which reformed all remaining road districts into shires.

Settlement in the Cunderdin Shire, by Europeans, started to progress following the building of the railway in 1884. Meckering, originally known as Beebering, was officially declared a township in February 1887. In 1903 when the pipeline to Kalgoorlie was completed, the No 3 Pumping Station in Cunderdin was opened and by 1906 Cunderdin was officially declared a townsite.

The search for pastoral lands east of Perth led explorer Charles Hunt to many towns in today’s wheatbelt, including Cunderdin – a town he named in 1864. Derived from the Njungyar Aboriginal language it is said to mean ‘place of the bandicoot’ but according to another source translates as ‘place of many flowers’.

Stop and rest for a while at the O’Connor Park playground. Newly refurbished and full of wonderful play equipment for young and old. The park is an ideal spot for a picnic or a barbeque.

Address: Forrest Street, Cunderdin.

View the original steam pump used during a bygone era at the Cunderdin Museum, which also houses a Tiger Moth aircraft, the original Quelagetting School, artefacts from the pioneering years and a display depicting the Meckering 1968 earthquake.

Address: Forrest Street, Cunderdin.

Bulgin Rock is the perfect place to absorb the rolling landscape and it’s easy to see why it’s been a popular picnic spot for more than a century. Sitting amongst the sheoak woodland you’ll probably glimpse a variety of birds and, at the right time of year an abundance of colourful wildflowers including a beautiful display of orchids

Address: Turn off Great Eastern Highway 12kms west of Cunderdin along Collins Road.

It appears quite inconspicuous, but it’s definitely worth taking the time to venture to the top of Cunderdin Hill (1km south of the main street). You’ll be greeted by 360-degree panoramic views of the town and surrounding farmland – a view that gives a real sense of the wide open spaces and big blue sky. On your descent you’ll see the local Goldfields Pipeline Reservoir – a 54.5 million litre water reservoir used in conjunction with the Goldfields Water Scheme.

Address: 1km south of Main Street.

Based on the well-known comics of Ken Maynard – made famous by the Australian Post magazine – the Ettamogah Pub is not only a novelty for tourists but an important central hub for residents in the Shire.

Address: Main Street, Cunderdin

19km south of Cunderdin you will find the original police outpost. Built from stone and mud with a thatched roof, the outpost’s answer to the modern day ‘lock-up’ was a nearby York Gum. Constable Allerly was the first police officer in charge of the post and the building represented the first settlement in the area.

Address: 19km south of Cunderdin along the Cunderdin-Quairading Road (and then left on the Goldfields Road)

While only lasting 40 seconds, the Meckering Earthquake had a lifetime impact on this small wheatbelt town. Leaving a scar 32kms long and up to 2m high, the earthquake literally tore open the earth on October 14th, 1968. Today you can still see 1km of the Faultline that’s been preserved for viewing.

Address: 12km south of Meckering on the York-Meckering Road.

Experience the devastation of the 1968 Meckering Earthquake firsthand at this impressive display which includes a section of the damaged railway line, a mangled piece of the Golden Pipeline, photographs, statistics and information.

Take a stroll across the road to the beautiful memorial rose garden – a tribute to the dedication and hard work of many local volunteers.

Address: Gabbedy Place, Meckering

Starting from the Earthquake Gardens in the centre of town, meander down the mosaic pathway, past the Big Camera and onward to the Earthquake Walk Trail. The trail leads visitors on a journey through the old main street of Meckering and tells the tail of a once thriving town reduced to rubble in the space of 40 seconds.

Murals on the town hall capture Meckering’s heyday, while a striking artwork on the gazebo in the Earthquake Garden serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of the 1968 earthquake.

Address: Start at Gabbedy Place and walk east toward Byfield Street. The town hall is located on the corner of Kelly Street and Snooke Street.

The Meckering Earthquake registered 6.9 on the Richter scale, crushing many of the town’s buildings and residential properties. ‘Salisbury’ – an old stone homestead built in 1904 – was flattened during the quake and the ruins give an eerie insight into the scale of the devastation experienced by the town.

Address: 2km north of Meckering, turn off Meckering to Goomalling Road.