Waggrakine, Western Australia

Suburb of Geraldton, Western Australia

28°40′52″S 114°41′17″E / 28.681°S 114.688°E / -28.681; 114.688Population2,679 (SAL 2021)^[1]Postcode(s)6530Area31.2 km² (12.0 sq mi)Location8 km (5 mi) NNE of GeraldtonLGA(s)City of Greater Geraldton State electorate(s)Geraldton Federal division(s)Durack

Suburbs around Waggrakine:
Glenfield
Glenfield	Waggrakine	Moresby
Sunset Beach	Spalding	Moresby

Waggrakine is an outer northern suburb of Geraldton, Western Australia in the local government area of the City of Greater Geraldton.

The suburb was gazetted in 1979.^[2]

In the 2006 census, Waggrakine had a population of 2,363.^[3]

History

In 1870, colonial governor Frederick Weld authorised the establishment of an experimental coffee plantation, based on observations by Charles Grenfell Nicolay that the local geography was similar to that of Brazil's coffee-growing districts. Nicolay was granted 640 acres (260 ha) of land, government funding of £100 (equivalent to $0 in 2022), and access to five ticket of leave convicts. However, by 1873 the plantation had proved unsuccessful, "due mainly to the persistently strong winds and lack of rainfall".^[4] A cottage and well on the site – known as the Coffee Pot – are heritage-listed.^[5]

References

^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Waggrakine (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ "Naming of Localities - Shire of Greenough (per 3231/71)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 16 February 1979. p. 1979:431.
^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Waggrakine (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
^ "Coffee Pot and Waggrakine Well". inHerit. State Heritage Office. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
^ Vivian, Geoff (4 May 2018). "Heritage: Coffee Pot Cottage, Waggrakine Well on Chapman Valley Shire agenda". The Geraldton Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2024.