Midland

Midland, the commercial centre of the Swan Valley, owes its existence to the building of a railway from Perth in 1886, and the establishment of the state's railway workshops at the turn of the 20th century. The workshops became the region's major provider of jobs, employing tens of thousands of workers during its ninety year working history. Like the neighbouring town of Guildford, Midland has retained many of its historical buildings which provide a unique character to the bustling city centre. These include the Town Hall with its unusual square clock tower, built in 1906, and the workshop buildings which are now emerging as a major tourist attraction. An old school house is now the home of the Australian Opera Studio, a world-class training institution for operatic performers; and a former bank has been transformed into Midland's premier art gallery. Midland offers a range of shopping experiences, with two major shopping centres including the revamped Midland Gate, and the city centre also features village-like shopping precincts, with its popular cinema, pedestrian malls and many shops. The town's large Military Markets are open on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, selling a variety of local crafts and food. There's also a thriving Farmer's Market, located behind the Town Hall, which opens at 0700 on Sundays and sells fresh produce, arts and crafts, as well as regular entertainment for visitors. Midland offers a variety of restaurants, cafes and takeaway outlets. Visit the interpretive centre at the Midland Railway Workshops or the art gallery located in the main street.