The image shows the logo for Avon Valley. The words "Avon Valley" are in green, bold, and large font with colorful accents in yellow, pink, blue, and red on each letter. Below, in smaller green font, the tagline "VINTAGE AND VIBRANT" is displayed.

Discover

Northam

The valley’s cultural hub

  • 96km east of Perth
  • Ballooning Capital of WA
  • Rich Heritage

Nestled in the heart of the Avon Valley, Northam is known for its diverse collection of tourist and heritage attractions including hot-air ballooning, cultural experiences, historical buildings, wildflowers, and horse-racing.

As the largest town in the Avon Valley, Northam makes a great base for your explorations of the region. With over 185 heritage-listed buildings, Northam is home to a large collection of historically significant buildings, making for some spectacular streetscapes. There are many activities around town for visitors, including nature trails, adventure activities, historical assets, and drive trails highlighting beautiful large-scale public artworks.

Visit Northam
A woman and two children look at an exhibit in a museum in Northam. The display case contains colorful, snake-like objects. The woman wears a hat and the children appear engaged, pointing at the exhibit.
Two children sit on the floor in northam astro tourism gazing at a vivid, starry projection of a galaxy on a large screen. The scene features vibrant purples, blues, and whites, creating a sense of wonder and exploration.
A couple stands in a field, embracing while facing a large yellow hot air balloon with "Windward Balloon Adventures" written on it. Nearby, another colorful balloon is being inflated under a blue sky.

Must Do's in Northam

Northam’s key attraction and must-see is Bilya Koort Boodja Centre for Nyoongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge.

The centre offers an interactive educational experience that highlights and celebrates the rich Aboriginal history and presence in the Nyoongar Ballardong region. Located on the foreshore of the Avon River, the centre hosts many events, tours and workshops, and is also a great place to purchase authentic Aboriginal artwork and souvenirs by local Nyoongar artists.

Northam is a hub of creativity and history, with sculptures along Fitzgerald Street sharing the town’s stories and vibrant murals, including the iconic silo murals on the PUBLIC Silo Trail. Bernard Park features the unique Sound Sculpture Project, crafted from scrap metal. With plans for new mural commissions, Northam’s art scene continues to grow—inviting you to explore and be inspired!

Northam is rich in both colonial and Aboriginal history, and the Northam Heritage Centre, located at the Old Northam Railway Station, houses exhibits from early settlers’ times including a steam locomotive, train carriages, and historical displays.

Northam’s very first house and built by the town’s founder John Morrell, the first settler to farm in Northam. The cottage is a perfectly preserved piece of history and a fascinating insight into Northam’s rich and varied history.

A number of self-guided tours, such as the Heritage Trail are available, so visit the Northam Visitor Centre for a tour brochure and to find out more.

The Avon River flows through the town and is fringed by soft grassy banks and shady trees. Picnicking beside the river is a popular pastime, but no trip to Northam is complete without taking a walk along one of Australia’s longest pedestrian suspension bridges. Commonly known as the ‘Swinging Bridge’, it stretches 117 metres across the vast Avon River, and is capable of withstanding 150kph winds and holding 400 people. Built in 1975, this iconic bridge is a wonderful spot to view the local white swan population, which were brought here by settlers nearly 150 years ago. Northam is the only location in Australia where the white swan will breed naturally in the wild and is now a protected species.

While there are many activities to choose from in Northam, hot air ballooning is one experience definitely worth including, with rides operating in the region since 1977. 

Lifting off at dawn you’ll float gently over this rural landscape of rolling hills, lush green fields and meandering streams as you wait for the first signs of sunrise. Canola season proves to be a popular time for this activity, with passengers having the opportunity to float above fields of gold during the flowering season.

Northam’s local reserves offer an ideal chance to view the region’s unique flora and fauna. Clackline Reserve has a number of walk trails, with the popular Flora Trail coming alive in spring with everlastings, orchids, fringed lilies, and more. Woondowing Nature Reserve is another must-see for the avid wildflower enthusiast.

Since 1863, Northam has been home to one of WA’s premier provincial racecourses, the Northam Racecourse. The Northam Race Club hosts approximately 22 race meetings per year from May to November, with most races held mid-week on either Wednesday or Thursday. There are also five feature weekend race meetings throughout the year, starting with the Northam Stakes, offering on-course entertainment, fashions, and top-tier galloping action. Alongside horse racing, Northam also boasts trots and greyhound racing.

Plan your trip to Northam

The Avon Descent & Bilya Festival

The Avon Descent, held each August, is one of WA’s most iconic multisport races, spanning 124km from Northam to Bayswater. Spectators can enjoy the white-water action and family fun days in Northam and Toodyay. The Northam Bilya Festival, a community favourite, takes place on Minson Avenue with highlights like the Bendigo Bank Street Parade, fireworks, free kids’ activities, live music, food trucks, and more—making it a celebration not to miss!

Northam Motorsport Festival

An adrenaline-packed annual event in April, bringing the town alive with thrilling motorsport action. From the Hill Climb at Mt Ommanney to the iconic Bendigo Bank Flying 50, spectators can enjoy classic and modern cars in action. The festival also offers fun for the whole family, with a classic car show, BMX stunt performances, food trucks, kids’ activities on the Village Green, and more.

Elevate Festival

A vibrant evening event celebrating the start of the National Hot Air Ballooning Championships in Northam. With live music, carnival rides, roving entertainment, kids’ activities, over 20 food trucks, and interactive stalls, there’s something for everyone. The highlight is the breathtaking Night Glow, where balloon pilots light up the evening sky (weather permitting). This free, family-friendly festival on Henry Street Oval.

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A 38-metre-high mural painted onto eight silos side-by-side is quite a spectacle and makes up part of WA’s PUBLIC Silo Trail. Situated right in the midst of a fully working CBH Group grain receival site, this icon is located between the townships of Toodyay and Northam.

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The image features the words "Avon Valley" in large, green letters with colorful accents. Below it, the tagline "Vintage and Vibrant" is written in smaller, yellow letters.