Hyden - WA

Hyden is a very small town located in the eastern wheatbelt, approximately 350kms east of Perth. The tourist attraction of Wave Rock is 3kms east of the townsite. Hyden has 50 residences with a townsite population of 200, and 30 other buildings for businesses and community facilities. The district population for Hyden, Karlgarin and surrounding areas is 590. There are no towns further east or south-east until Norseman and Esperance, or north-east until Kalgoorlie. Narrogin and Merredin are over 200ks from Hyden so it is not economical or practical for many businesses to service Hyden from that distance. As a result, Hyden has only once weekly part-time banking and police presence and visiting doctor, and service personnel such as Western Power, Water Authority and Telecom only travel out to Hyden when servicing is required.

So whilst Wave Rock is a tourist icon bringing visitors into Hyden, some travellers are a little taken aback at the lack of facilities and minimal opening hours of the stores (most close by midday Saturday and closed Sundays).

Interestingly, at least 99% of the people who live in Hyden are in employment, with most involved in or employed by privately owned small business operations. With the exception of a few school teachers, there are no public service employees living in our towns.

Travellers should note that although the township of Hyden lies along the Kondinin-Hyden Rd and Hyden-Lake-King Rd, the main town centre lies on McPherson Street, which is adjacent to the main road. Here you'll find the Post Office, numerous small businesses such as newsagent, bakery, supermarket and more.