Clackline
Easily missed if you continue down the Great Eastern Highway to Northam from Perth, Clackline is a must-visit if you are passing by. The small and unassuming locality was a settlement was established in the 1880s, being at the junction of the Perth-Newcastle Road and the township was gazetted in 1896. John Forrest (later to become Premier of Western Australia) recorded the name Clackline in 1879, but the origin of the word is unknown.
Once an important junction for the Eastern Railway lines to Northam and Toodyay, Clackline’s rail history is now showcased with the exceptionally maintained railway carriage which now acts as the local post office and can be seen from the Great Eastern Highway.
Not to be missed on your visit to Clackline are the number of heritage listed and historically significant sites, the Clackline Nature Reserve on Refractory Road, and the numerous wildflower and bush walks. Grab a photo of the Clackline Bridge and Clackline Refractory (public entry not permitted, but photos can be taken from close-by).
Eadine Springs
A pretty pool and a loop trail tucked just off Great Eastern Highway in Clackline sits a little oasis called Eadine Springs. As well as the beautiful natural pool there is a loop track around the site which is highly recommended.
Identified by the rock border, the walk is relatively easy and well shaded, but sections are not suitable for prams with the riparian vegetation restored, Eadine Springs is a surprising find in the mostly cleared landscape. You can visit all year round, but don't expect to see the same water volumes during low rainfall months.
Facilities and Location
Eadine Springs has plenty of seating and benches, ample parking, a fairly new in-built BBQ and bins. There are no toilet facilities or tap water at this spot, but they aren't really necessary, all of these facilities are located just a few kilometres away in Clackline. It is well worth a stop if you're in the Avon Valley or tackling the Kep Track. Eadine Springs is located 3 kms east of Clackline, 8km north-east of Bakers Hill, and 15km (10 minutes) south-west of Northam. Access is from the Great Eastern Highway, turn left onto Eadine Road, then access via a gravel drive.
Interesting Facts
The Clackline Avro Anson Memorial commemorates four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airmen killed when their Avro Anson aircraft crashed near Clackline on 9 October 1942. The memorial site is located on the low side of Avro Anson Road, in a small park approximately five kilometres (3.1 mi) south-east of Clackline. The memorial, assembled by members of the local community in the months following the crash, features a cairn of granite and boulders supporting a jarrah cross.
The names and details of the deceased airmen are carved into the cross:
Flying Officer Lynton Birt, Sergeant Geoffrey Debenham, Sergeant Noel Nixon, and Sergeant Kenneth Hugo
Over the years, the memorial was forgotten and lost, overgrown by shrubs and trees. Upon its discovery in the early 1980s, the memorial's history and significance were researched, and it was restored in 1984 by volunteers from the Perth branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association. Since then, the association has held annual memorial services at the site.
Established in 1898, the Clackline Refractory was one of Western Australia’s most important early industrial sites, producing high-temperature firebricks from locally sourced clay. The deposit was discovered by chance by gold prospectors John Ford and James Murray, who instead of gold found a rich fire clay that would help power the state’s growth. Clackline’s pale yellow-buff bricks often stamped “CLACKLINE” or “CFC,” became widely used in furnaces, boilers and kilns across Western Australia, including the pumping stations of the Mundaring to Kalgoorlie pipeline. Early testing in the 1900s showed the bricks rivalled and, in some cases, exceeded the quality of imports from England and Scotland.
Over time, the operation changed ownership several times, including a brief period under the Bunnings family in 1903, before Clackline Refractories Ltd was formed in 1948. Alongside firebricks, the site also produced specialised items such as crucible pots for the gold industry, some crafted using foot-pedal machinery. Today, the abandoned site on Refractory Road remains a powerful reminder of Western Australia’s industrial heritage, with kilns, chimneys and the original quarry still visible.
Worth the Stop
Clackline is well worth the stop for those who enjoy quiet natural beauty, layered history and distinctive local landmarks. From flowing springs and scenic bushland walks to powerful memorials and remnants of early industry, Clackline offers a series of meaningful places that reflect both the natural landscape and the stories of the people who shaped it. Take time to explore, pause and discover a small town with a big past.
A series of springs that flow out of hillside seeps through numerous rock pools to cascade over a waterfall into the excavated permanent pool and seasonal wetland at its base.
The memorial, assembled by members of the local community in the months following the crash, features a cairn of granite and boulders supporting a jarrah cross.
The old brick kilns, tall chimney, and overgrown quarry remain as reminders of the people and processes that turned a chance discovery into one of WA’s best-known industrial brands.
The park marks the site of the former Clackline school (1896-1954). It features a monument erected in 1929 to celebrate the centenary of European settlement in WA.
Reputed to be the longest, curved, downhill timber bridge in Australia. Built c. 1934 accross the main railway line to Kalgoorlie and the Clackline Brook.
A natural, rustic, and scenic walking experience, known for its Wandoo woodlands, golden-barked Wandoo trees, and wildlife, including Pink and Grey Galahs.
Updated 29.01.26