Mount Barker is a town and locality on Albany Highway and the administrative centre of the Shire of Plantagenet in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

The Hay River, which flows into Wilson Inlet at Denmark, begins its journey just west of Mount Barker.

Wilson explored the area in company with the Noongar Mokare from King George Sound, John Kent (officer in charge of the Commissariat at Frederick Town, King George Sound), two convicts and Private William Gough of the 39th Regiment, while his ship the Governor Phillip was being repaired.

Today, viticulture, wheat, canola, plantation timber, sheep and cattle are some of the main agricultural activities still carried out around Mount Barker.

The Stirling and Porongurup Range National Parks are located within the Plantagenet Shire and these, together with the local premium wine industry, have contributed to the growth of tourism in and around Mount Barker.

Available accommodation includes motels, a caravan park and a number of bed & breakfasts and farm-stays in the surrounding area.

[13] Situated as it is in the middle of the Great Southern, the continental aspects of the climate make this quintessential country for Riesling and Shiraz.

Mount Barker's continentality also means greater diurnal temperature fluctuations and the occasional spring frost.

The Plantagenet Plateau, with Mount Barker its centre point, is marked by its marri soils, lateritic gravelly/sandy loams coming directly from granite rock protrusions.

Lat: 34 36’S; Alt: 180–250 m; Hdd: 1488; Gsr: 287 mm; Mjt: 19C; Harvest: Early March to mid-April; Chief Viticultural Hazard: Spring frosts; late vintage rain.

[15] The peak of Mount Barker lies 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) southwest of the town centre, and reaches an elevation of 404 metres (1,325 ft) above sea level.

[16] Mount Barker is also home to numerous historical buildings: The Stirling Range lies approximately 40 km to the northeast of the town by road, via Kendenup.

The Porongurup Range has a new "Granite Skywalk" which rewards hikers taking the Castle Rock walk trail.

Popular sports include Australian Rules Football, rugby union, cricket and equestrian pursuits.

The Great Southern Railway, which runs through town, commenced operation to Mount Barker in 1889, boosting expansion in the region.

The train passes a few times per day and has a distinct noise that can be heard throughout the town, including a loud fog horn.