Waddington

An interesting locality with no townsite of its own on the Great Northern Highway, some 16 kilometres north of New Norcia and on the Piawaning Road junction. This place is situated some 160 kilometres north of Perth. It is within the Shire of Victoria Plains. Many farms are in the area but no public buildings. These ruins are all that are left of an old traveller's staging post serving those (and their horses) who were making such an arduous north-south journey

Waddington - Ruins

Apart from surrounding farms, there are no buildings at Waddington which would normally constitute a townsite. Just a few ruined buildings which sit on both sides of the Great Northern Highway. However there is a gazetted townsite on the south-east corner of the intersection of the highway and the Piawaning road though no buildings now exist, just the ghosts of a former sports ground and an old stockyard. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD001

Waddington - Ruins

Adjacent to the above building, both of which are on the west side of the highway is this rather intriguing building. It is made up of a number of non-connected rooms each with its own entrance. Apparently in the old days, nearby New Norcia was a closed town therefore Waddington served as an overnight accommodation stop for passing travellers as stage coaches did not travel at night. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD002

Waddington - Ruins

Another view of the long building, this time an end elevation. The chimney stack is prominent. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD003

Waddington - Ruins

Inside one of the rooms in the ruined building. A sliver of doorway to the left, the window, and the remains of a fireplace centre right are visible. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD004

Waddington - Ruins

Over on the east side of the highway are these two sections of ruins which might have been a single building or two separate ones. Look how the elements have eroded some of the bricks. These could have been used as stables for the stage coach horses, or to provide kitchen and cooking amenities for travellers. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD005

Waddington - Ruins

Another view of part of the ruins on the east side of the highway. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD006

Waddington - Ruins

Here is a complete side view of the building on the west side of the highway. Three doorways and four windows. One room must have had two windows. The rooms have back doors around the other side. People apparently lived here right up until the 1960's but the buildings were abandoned in about 1970. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD007

Waddington - Great Northern Highway

For a sense of perspective, a view south down Great Northern Highway, standing by the side of the road, right between the two sections of ruins. Carry on down the road to New Norcia or turn left for Piawaning and Wongan Hills. July 2012. Photos Ref: WADD008

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