The Meckering Earthquake Walk Trail takes visitors on a journey through the old town centre with interpretive signage providing descriptions and images of the commercial and public buildings that once stood in the main street of Meckering.
Visitors are welcome to view the walking trail at their leisure. Walk trail maps are available from Barkly Royal and Colton's Cafe.
Meckering Earthquake Facts
At 10.59am on 14 October 1968 an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale and with a moment magnitude of 6.5, changed the shape of the Meckering community forever. Although not the strongest earthquake in Australian history, it remains one of the most significant in terms of the damage to property and subsequent cultural upheaval. The earthquake destroyed the town centre once home to a bank, hotel, shire hall and three churches. Of the 75 houses in the community, 60 were condemned.
Railway lines buckled and the mains water pipeline folded in upon itself. Twenty people were injured that day but incredibly no one was killed. Once a bustling, growing community with a population of approximately 500, the town of Meckering was the political and cultural centre of the Cunderdin Shire. On the day of the earthquake, 45 families left the town, never to return. Many more would follow. Very few of the businesses rebuilt. Now a community of just over 200. The town of Meckering is a shadow of its former self.