Between 1864–66 Charles Cooke Hunt was commissioned by the local colonial government, at the urging of the York Agricultural Society and others, to lead expeditions East of York to discover, map and develop water sources that would ensure a reliable supply to as far as the Hampton Plains.

He was also tasked with assessing the country for its pastoral potential and finding a route through to the eastern colonies – although this aim was abandoned fairly early.

Many of the wells constructed by Hunt’s party were known and used by the local aboriginals. Hunt often traded mirrors, knives and tommyhawks to entice them to show him the location of these water sources. Some were improved by being shored up or having the catchment area enlarged. His major wells were fine examples of the stonemason’s art, using local stone that often had to carted considerable distances.

Hunt cleared a 600 kilometre track to the east of York. He established a series of 26 wells, dams, tanks, soaks and other seasonally reliable water holes that ensured a safe and reliable route to the Hampton Plains to near current day Kambalda, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, until C.Y. O’Connor’s pipeline was completed in 1903.

Parties of probationary convicts and their Pensioner Guards built the wells and soaks. Hunt would journey ahead of his construction team to look for more potential wells.

Hunt often recorded the name and location of native wells he came across, however, he did not develop all of them, citing that the yield was insufficient or not reliable enough to be included in his Track.

Bayley and Ford, and Paddy Hannan were able to find gold at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in 1892 and 1893 respectively because they followed the track that Hunt had cut 30 years earlier – and what became known as Hunt Track.

The Hunt Track is significant to Western Australia’s heritage generally, not just its exploration history. It allowed:

• Prospectors and, later, pastoralists to travel into the Western Australian interior.
• The routing of the Perth to Kalgoorlie pipeline.
• The establishment of the telegraph line to Kalgoorlie.
• The construction of the first stage of the transcontinental railway.

In 1988 a considerable length of Hunt Track was preserved and commemorated as the York to Goldfields Heritage Trail. Some of Hunt’s wells have stood the test of time and are in very good condition.  At least 9 have disappeared altogether while others are in a state of disrepair.

To follow the Hunt Track Go Here.