Northam
Northam is situated just over an hours drive east of Perth in the heart of the picturesque Avon Valley. The landform is undulating making it ideal for Ballooning providing spectacular vistas and scenery. From its humble beginnings in 1836 as a relatively small agricultural village, Northam became the central point in 1890’s for prospectors pursuing their dreams of wealth in the goldfields.
Northam offers a rich collection of historic buildings and sites second only to Fremantle in number.
Throughout the year Northam hosts a number of regional events such as the Avon River Festival and Avon Descent, Flying 50’s Vintage Motor Race, the German Car Day and Northam Motor Cycle Festival.
Northam also appears in the annuals of Aviation History with Steve Fossett making the first around the World Balloon Flight Solo from Northam.
Steve Fossett’s first attempt in August 2001 from the Town’s Airfield ended when he was forced down-in off Townsville by bad weather.
His second attempt on the 2nd July, 2002 saw him become the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a balloon.
He landed 14 days, 19 hours, 57 minutes and 50 seconds after leaving Northam traveling 32,963kms landing in Outback Queensland near Birdsville.