| Meckering | |
Location: | 132km east of Perth |
Shire: | Cunderdin |
Population: | 120 |
Postcode: | 6405 |
The small rural township of Meckering lies on the Great Eastern Highway, 35 kilometres east of Northam. Explorer John Forrest originally named the area which was established as an agricultural centre in 1887 although a lack of water hindered development. In 1892, the railway from Perth reached Meckering and by 1900 a water pipeline was completed, allowing the town to grow steadily as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural areas.
Meckering was put on the map in 1968 when an earthquake destroyed the town. Seventeen people were injured and the damage bill was $1.5 million, but the town was rebuilt immediately. Approximately 2.5 kilometres from the township, the ruins of Salisbury Homestead illustrate the extent of the devastation. A photograph of the original building, as it was before the earthquake, stands in front of the ruins. Relics from the earthquake are also on display at the Tourist Information Centre and include a damaged water pipeline and buckled piece of the railway line.
A section of the earthquake faultline can be seen 12 kilometres south of Meckering, where viewing facilities are provided, and also 3 kilometres west of Meckering.