Mullewa was first settled in the 1850’s after being determined to be good pastoral land. However this settlement didn’t come without complications with there being much conflict between the local Aborigines and European settlers. This conflict peaked with the death of James Rudd and Thomas Butt, resulting in 5 Aboriginal men being sentenced to death. This was the pinnacle of the conflict and soon learned to live in peace.

Mullewa in the late 19^th century was seen as an important stopover point between Geraldton and Murchison goldfields, with a railway reaching the town in 1894, connecting it to Geraldton. It was this year that Mullewa was gazetted, being named after the Mullewa Spring. Mullewa originates from the local Aboriginal language said to mean, ‘place of fog’. An agricultural show took place in 1929, attracting over 2500 people. The great success of the show resulted in it turning into an annual event, still being held to this day!

Attractions

Buildings of Monsignor John Hawes

The West-Australian architect-priest, Monsignor John Hawes, designed many buildings throughout the Central West, with a large proportion of these being constructed in Mullewa. These include the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Holy Apostles St Peter and St Paul, Monsignor Hawes Priesthouse Museum, Mass Rock and the headstone for Selby John Arnold. The finest of these buildings is said to be the Church of Our Lady Mount Carme and the Holy Apostles St and St Paul. The design of this church is based on the Romanesque churches often seen in villages in Spain and Italy, with its low roof and Mediterranean looks. This quaint building symbolises the antiquity of Christianity and is an impressive architectural sight!

Walking Trails

Mullewa is home to many walking trails that can be completed by all ages, each with its own unique theme. The Mullewa Bush Trail is a 2.3km walk that takes you through the rich landscape bordering the town. The numerous interpretive panels along the way will help guide you to explore the landscape, geology and flora and fauna of the area. Along the way, there's a chance to see numerous native Australian animals, such as kangaroos, emus and goannas.

The Wildflower walk is a popular trail done through the months of September, October and November where wildflowers are abundant. This 1 hour walk allows for stunning, picturesque views of the many wildflowers of the Northern wheatbelt region. There are several  informative panels along the way that help identify and describe the many wildflowers on display.

Other walks in Mullewa that can be done include the Town Heritage Trail, Rail Heritage Loop and Monsignor Hawes Heritage Walk.

Fun Facts

Distance from Perth: 450kms North
Population: 447
Postcode: 6630
Founded: 1894