Farmers’ Home Hotel, 1866
History
Farmers’ Home Hotel is a thoughtfully restored, boutique hotel in historic Northam, at the heart of Western Australia’s Avon Valley. Beginning its days as a wattle and daub general store in 1861, the site was purchased by George Throssell, who, after four years of opposition from the local magistrate and owner of Northam’s other hotel, successfully obtained his liquor licence in 1866. He went on to establish the Farmers Home Hotel in the same year.
Heritage listed, the hotel has been intwined with the history of Northam for over 150 years, evolving to meet the changing needs of the town, impacted by a variety of influences - including the temperance movement, gold rushes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and investment from social elites. Along with Throssell, the hotel has been owned by many notable locals over the decades, including Members of Parliament, gold miners, explorers, and more than one Mayor of Perth.
When the hotel’s most recent owners acquired the property, it was called the Shamrock Hotel. Run down after years of neglect, they felt a deep responsibility to honour the history of this remarkable building. The restoration approach was not to look at what could be added, but how the building’s original architectural beauty would be best highlighted, including interior and exterior brick & stone walls, magnificent stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces, grand timber staircase, high ceilings, elaborate cornice mouldings, and wrap around balcony. The end result saw the restoration project team, along with Spaceagency architects awarded the Margaret Pitt Morison Award for Heritage at the 2021 Australian Institute of Architecture Awards.
Accommodation
Each of the boutique hotel’s sixteen rooms have been designed to complement the building’s original features, adding luxurious amenities without clutter. Warm baltic pine floors were retained, and traditional, soft grey wall panelling installed for an elegant heritage feel. All five room types feature plush king size beds with premium heavy cotton sheets and oversized pillows, modern ensuites with rainfall shower heads and complimentary Aesop products, wireless Bang & Olufsen personal room sound, high speed WiFi, and movies on demand.
Farmhouse Rooms are generously sized with additional living space to unwind, and feature either direct access to the original wraparound balcony, or showcase stunning heritage details, such as stained glass windows and ornate fireplaces. Perfect for families, The Homestead Room is a two bedroom suite - the master bedroom with stunning original fireplace and leather armchairs, and second bedroom with twin king single beds.
Wanting to continue a tradition of good old-fashioned inn-keeping but with a modern twist, on the ground floor overlooking the Avon River you’ll find Dôme Café. A warm and inviting space, the cafe is open daily from 6am to 9pm for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Alternatively, the Temperance Bar is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Northam’s past as a temperance town in the late 1800s. Featuring an extensive, handpicked selection of wine, beer, cider, and spirits from the Swan Valley, Perth Hills and Great Southern wine regions, along with a curated share plate menu, mix and match your food & wine to suite your palate.
A stay at The Farmers' Home Hotel is a wholly local experience - the friendly hotel team all live nearby, and are happy to provide winery recommendations, activity suggestions - even the best time of day to set off for your hot air balloon ride! Come and experience the rich history and unique charm of Farmers’ Home Hotel and the Avon Valley region, just 90 minutes from both Perth and Fremantle.
Special Features
Bar & Dining
Heritage Listed
WiFi
Balcony Rooms
Things To Do
Located on the banks of the Avon River, Northam dates to 1833, and the town’s pioneer history is reflected in its many heritage buildings. The two kilometre Northam Heritage Trail is a great way to appreciate the town's architecture, including the Town Hall, Clearview House, and St Johns Church. Also worth a visit is Morby Cottage, one of Western Australia’s oldest surviving residences, built c. 1836.
Take in some of the outdoor art around town with the Sound Sculpture Project in Bernard Park, as well as a variety of murals throughout the shire. Of particular significance are the silo murals that mark the start of the Public Silo Trail, a 1000km art trail that begins in Northam. The surrounding Avon Valley is renowned for its world class vineyards, and is a destination for hot air ballooning, with spectacular scenery and patchwork of colours from above.
