Northam, the largest town in the Avon Valley, is the Valley's commercial centre and adventure playground. Northam is busiest on the first weekend of August every year, when hundreds of intrepid power boaters, and then of thousands of canoeists and spectators flock to the town for the start of the Avon Descent, a white-water classic that is of world wide fame.
Getting to Northam is easy - by car, private bus, or by rail on Westrail's Prospector. Once there, you can choose from many distinctive ways to see the town and its surrounds; by aeroplane, hot-air balloon, bicycle, bushwalking, camel or canoe.
Flying fun: For an unforgettable aerial experience, hot-air balloon flights and light aircraft joy flights are available from Northam Aerodrome. For those who prefer being closer to the ground they may like to hire a bicycle or follow the heritage trail of Northam's old buildings. For the ultimate outback style trip try trekking by camel from the Blue Gum Camel Farm along bush trails - and park your camel at a local tavern while you lunch!
Gold Fever: From Northam's humble beginnings in 1836 it became the jumping off point in the 1890's for prospectors pursuing their dreams of fabulous wealth in the goldfields. Thousands of diggers flocked to Northam to stock up for the 450km trek - usually on foot - across the searing outback. Now, Northam is the centre for the Central Agricultural District of Western Australia. It is the largest agricultural t
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