Mount Magnet
Mount Magnet, the oldest surviving gold settlement of the Murchison, is 567km north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway. It is a small township which now survives on a combination of gold mining and services for the surrounding pastoral area which boasts some of the largest sheep stations in Western Australia. There is much to see here, remains of the early Goldrush era, magnificent granite breakaway country and, in season, spectacular carpets of wildflowers.
Mount Magnet History
Gold was first discovered here in July 1891 and amazingly rich areas around the settlement were found, including Poverty Flats ‘where they dug it up like potatoes’. Mount Magnet was proclaimed a township soon after the gold discoveries. The remains of other settlements nearby, such as Lennonville, can still be seen.
The prominent hill rising above the township was first in 1854 by surveyor Robert Austin who named it West Mount Magnet after its magnetic qualities. It has since had its Aboriginal name reinstated – ‘Warramboo’, meaning campfire-camping place.
The first pastoralists, Watson and Jones, walked their sheep from Geraldton to Mount Magnet in the late 1870’s and settled at Yowergabbie and Boogardie stations respectively. The pastoral industry and goldmining still remain the main industries.
Things to do & see
Historical Society Museum
Historic Buildings
Mt Warramboo Tourist Lookout
The Granite – 6km north, scenic picnic spot, see aboriginal art
Amphitheatre
Heritage Walk Trail
Heritage Drive
Gold detecting
Self drives
Wildflowers
Bird watching
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