Farmers’ Home Hotel - Northam

Farmers’ Home Hotel - Northam A thoughtfully restored 1860s building, capturing the simplistic beauty of country living with all the touches you'd expect of a boutique luxury hotel

More recently known as “The Shamrock”, this hotel has a fascinating story in its evolution from a wattle and daub hut to one of the finest federation hotels in regional Western Australia. Bringing back its original name, “The Farmer’s Home”, this sensitive redevelopment is going to feature a Dome café, a wine-bar, a visitor and community gathering space as well as some stunning boutique hotel acco

mmodation. Stay close to Farmer's Home Hotel - Northam to learn about this building's fascinating past and for regular updates on the building works!

Many remember Northam's Shamrock Hotel of the 1990s, but fewer may be aware of its establishment in the 1890s.Originally...
28/06/2025

Many remember Northam's Shamrock Hotel of the 1990s, but fewer may be aware of its establishment in the 1890s.
Originally opened in 1866 as the Farmers Home Hotel, a new era commenced on 1st January 1891, when the lease was taken over by recently retired police officer, Joseph O’Hara. Within weeks O’Hara began the first of a series of improvements to the building.
He employed local architect Thomas Whitney to design a two-storey extension to adjoin the original building, which was reopened as ‘The Shamrock Hotel’. It proved a worthwhile investment; the accommodation was well patronised, and the dedicated Billiards Room was a notable attraction.

The 1902 extension saw the very rear of the hotel become the site of the Shamrock’s Yard, home to “The Shamrock Livery a...
22/06/2025

The 1902 extension saw the very rear of the hotel become the site of the Shamrock’s Yard, home to “The Shamrock Livery and Bait Stables”, the ‘largest and most commodious in the district”, where there was room for upwards of 70 horses.

The term 'Livery' indicated that horses and horse-drawn vehicles were available for hire and ‘procurable at any hour’, while 'Bait' signified that traveller's own horses could be stabled and fed. As such, the Stables became the meeting place for the district’s farmers during their trips into town. The yard also hosted a monthly livestock market, while a vegetable garden provided produce for the Hotel’s kitchens.

This area is now home to our extensive alfresco and grassed areas, still overlooking the picturesque Avon River, although you'll probably see fewer horses than in 1902.

15/06/2025

The Temperance Bar is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Northam's past as a model "Temperance Town" from the late 1800's.

Early Northam was a frontier town with a wild side. It was fertile ground for the Temperance movement and their campaign of abstinence from alcohol; Northam was quickly transformed into a respectable country community.
However, the Temperance Movement did not always view alcohol as an evil to be avoided; the Movement’s founders took the more temperate view that alcohol could be enjoyed in moderation.

It is an ideal we encourage and seemed a fitting source of inspiration for our little establishment.

We’re temperance by name, temperance by nature.

Room 103 is one of our welcoming 'Farmhouse' rooms. It was originally part of one large function space, with the area be...
05/06/2025

Room 103 is one of our welcoming 'Farmhouse' rooms. It was originally part of one large function space, with the area being converted into a number of bedrooms in the 1990s.

The large stained-glass window on the western wall is very similar to the Art Nouveau window in the hallway, despite being installed 26 years later. Foregoing a trendy “Art Deco” window, the architects followed the example set by their predecessors and tried to unify the old building with the new.

09/08/2024

Welcome to all Avon Descent competitors, crew and spectators - it's going to be a fantastic weekend!

We're thrilled to be hosting registrations again this year, and look forward to seeing everyone down here this afternoon and over the next few days.

Have a successful and safe weekend 🚤 🚣🏻

Shire of Northam Visit Northam

24/04/2024

We're gearing up* for the Northam Motor Sport Festival this weekend, which will no doubt bring the sounds, colours and excitement that we saw last year.

Here's a little look back to get you revved* up!

We'll see you out there this weekend, and we look forward to welcoming you for your pitstops* at the Temperance Bar and in the Cafe. 🏁

*all puns intended 😎

Vintage Sports Car Club of WA

We're celebrating love on Feb 14, so whether you're a couple wanting a romantic night out, or a couple of mates who love...
12/01/2024

We're celebrating love on Feb 14, so whether you're a couple wanting a romantic night out, or a couple of mates who love treating yourselves to some fine dining, then book your tickets now with the Humantix link below.

Your 3 course meal in our function room will start with a glass Sittella Sparkling Chenin Blanc or a pint of tap beer on arrival, with a choice of entree, mains and dessert to follow.

Check out the full menu and book now at
https://events.humanitix.com/valentine-s-day-dinner-at-the-farmers-home-hotel

12/11/2023

In our ongoing chats with locals, we were lucky enough to sit down with Shire of Northam President Chris Antonio, who not only has a great deal of knowledge about the town and previous incarnations of our hotel, but also a multi-generational family history with the region.

04/11/2023

It's always great to have Pete Byfield in the Temperance Bar, so we're looking forward to hearing him from 4.30-7.30 today 😎🎸🎤

Pete Byfield 1

29/10/2023

The Liberty Balloon Flights season comes to an end on Tuesday, with just a few spots still available!

If you missed out this time, get in early for 2024's season which starts mid April 2024!

The Windward Ballooning season ends Nov 20.

We're looking forward to having young Mr Byfield (better known as Kitt) back in The Temperance Bar tomorrow, Saturday Se...
22/09/2023

We're looking forward to having young Mr Byfield (better known as Kitt) back in The Temperance Bar tomorrow, Saturday September 23rd, 5-8pm.

Address

112 Fitzgerald Street
Northam, WA
6401

Telephone

+61865003920

Website

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