To the Goldfields
|
SECTOR |
INT
KM |
ACC
KM |
TRACK KM |
| Koorkoordine to Duladgin |
48 |
48 |
410 |
| Duladgin to Weowanie |
9 |
57 |
419 |
| Weowanie to Karalee |
17 |
74 |
436 |
| Karalee to Koorarawalyee |
29 |
103 |
465 |
| Koorarawalyee to Boorabbin |
33 |
136 |
498 |
| Boorabbin to Woolgangie |
26 |
162 |
524 |
| Woolgangie to Yerdanie |
9 |
171 |
533 |
| Yerdanie to Gnarlbine |
36 |
207 |
569 |
| Gnarlbine to Horse Rocks |
70 |
277 |
639 |
| Horse Rocks to Stony Hills |
22 |
299 |
661 |
| Stony Hills to Kambalda |
19 |
318 |
680 |
Koorkoordine to Duladgin – 39km
Hunt recorded on his Exploration Plan that his track went through Yandangoobin Rock. The course to the current-day position of this Rock would appear to be too far to the north and then too far to the south to Duladgin. This leads to the supposition than Yandangoobin Rock is incorrectly positioned and should be an unnamed hill 445 metres in height at 50J742171mE 6554557mN, which is more on the line of Hunt Track.
Hunt's team built a well at Duladgin, however, its location is unknown. The well that is seen at Duladgin was built by the PWD.
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Duladgin
Weowanie
Duladgin to Weowanie – 9km
The Track from Duladgin Rock to Weowanie is narrow and can be very sandy and, when wet, boggy. It meanders through a mixture of thick woodland and open scrubland and passes very close to some small salt lakes.
Hunt considered Weowanie to be a tank because there is little to no soakage.
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Weowanie to Karalee – 17km
This section of the Track is very tight and the possibility of bush pinstriping is high. This track brings the traveller to Karalee Rock and Reservoir, constructed in 1896-97 to provide water for the Southern Cross to Coolgardie railway.
Karalee was a siding for the railway. Cottages for the station master, railway staff and barracks for the train crew along with a hotel were built between the reservoir and the railway two kilometres to the south.
The cottages and barracks were eventually dismantled and moved to Yellowdine. In 1971 the licence for the hotel was transferred to Kwinana and then to the Karalee Tavern in Como.
Karalee is a pleasant place to camp although you will need to byo wood if you want a campfire. There is always water in the reservoir for a refreshing swim. Toilets are located in the camping area.
Heritage-listed Karalee is a magnificent example of water harvesting.
A gravel footpath with interpretive signage leads to the west away from the carpark/camping area to a number of points of interest including an earthen dam across the gully and beautifully-constructed stone-lined well that, while initially built by Hunt's party, has been extensively modified.
Hunt used the name Karolling for Karalee and, for the more historically-minded, further details on the naming and misnaming of granite outcrops in this area is discussed here.
Deviate to Caroling Rocks to see more wells.
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Download GPX file.
Aquaduct at Karalee
Mundaring to Coolgardie Pipeline
Koorarawalyee to Boorabbin – 33km
There are numerous camping spots at Boorabbin.
The dam is suitable for swimming.
Large slabs of granite were quarried from Boorabbin and used at Boondi, Woolgangie and possibly a number of other water harvesting sites.
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Download GPX file.
Walking in a diversion channel
Woolgangie
Boorabbin to Woolgangie – 30km
Boondi Rock provides the opportunity for swimming and bushwalking. There is a large camping area with toilets.
Divert south of Great Eastern Highway to see a well preserved pioneer well. The easiest way to get to the well is to access the track along the powerlines, stop near an unnamed granite outcrop at 31°11'58.87"S 120°29.4"E and then walk 750 metres south-east to the well at 31°12'14.98"S 120°20'47.8"E. A track into the well is overgrown and, practicably, not accessible.
A nearly-disappeared WWII airstrip is close by at 31°11'56.54"S 120°21'15.32"E and is accessible by vehicle. It is about 3.5 kilometres east of the current day airstrip.
There are many open areas at Woolgangie suitable for camping. Like all of the popular camping spots is denuded of firewood. The dam is a great place for a swim.
Hunt's efforts at Woolgangie are often erroneously ascribed to Warganering/Warngangering Rock, five kilometres south-west. Hunt's Exploration Plan clearly shows that his well is at current day Woolgangie as does his description of where he placed the well.
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Woolgangie to Yerdanie – 9km
The existing track between these two rocks closely follows the original track. It is an easy drive that can become impassable after rain.
The well at Yerdanie was lost for a 100 years until relocated in 2020. Hunt recorded that it was dug on the west side of the rock.
There are many excellent camping spots at Yerdanie and a climb to the top of this bald granite outcrop offers great views in all directions.
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Download GPX file.
Atop Yerdanie Rock
Gnarlbine Well
Yerdanie to Gnarlbine – 36km
The re-created track between Yerdanie and Gnarlbine crosses the original track in numerous places.
This section of Hunt Track could become impassable after rain.
Gnarlbine Rock became an important stopping place for explorers and prospectors, including R.J. Holland when he put through what today is known as the Holland Track. In the early days of Coolgardie, and other surrounding goldfields, before the pipeline was built, Hunt's Well was a vital supply of water.
It is a great camping spot.
There are a number of plaques at Gnarlbine.
Download Track Notes (PDF).
Download GPX file.
Gnarlbine to Horse Rocks – 43km
This part of the Track is completely overgrown by the eucalypts of the Great Western Woodland. The track used for this part of the Route is an approximation of the Hunt Track.
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Download GPX file.
At King Battery
Horse Rocks to Stony Hills – 21km
Mount Hunt
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Stony Hill to Kambalda – 19km
King Battery
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