Campion, Western Australia, abandoned townsite in Western Australia
Campion in Western Australia is a former human settlement in the Wheatbelt region founded in the 1920s, now largely abandoned with few visible remains. The area today is characterized by the Lake Campion Nature Reserve, which features shallow lakes and wetlands that change appearance throughout the seasons.
Campion was founded around 1920 when settlers arrived to clear and farm the land, and was officially named in 1925 after governor Sir William Campion. The community declined due to falling wheat prices in the 1930s and was finally abandoned, with its railway connection closing in 1956 and the town officially dissolved in 1972.
Access is by rural roads as public transport is limited, making it essential to prepare your vehicle and pack supplies for the remote drive. Nearby towns like Mukinbudin and Nungarin offer accommodation and dining options, plus local museums with exhibits about regional history.
A forgotten chapter in Campion's story is the emu invasion of 1932, when the army deployed machine guns to combat the pest outbreak affecting local farmland. This unusual event, known as the Emu War, reveals the extreme challenges faced by early farmers struggling to protect their crops.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.