Old Stone Huts & associated mine shafts & workings

Child Places

• 06563 Survey Trig on Lake Austin Hill
• 06561 Lake Austin
• 06560 Mainland Ruins
• 03862 Historic Townsite (Site)

Values

The place is evidence of the resourcefulness of early prospectors in the district in terms of the siting and use of local materials. The huts were simple, modest and functional.

The place is rare example of the accommodation and workings of individual prospectors and provides a significant contribution to the understanding of life on the Murchison goldfields at that time.

Physical Description

The area includes a number of buildings of ironstone construction located in hilly and rocky terrain with numerous mine shafts and workings around. No roofing is evident.

Some of the huts are set high to capture the breeze and are located next to mine shafts. Window and door openings and fireplaces are evident.

History

By the end of 1891, there were between 300 and 400 men on the Murchison Goldfield, with many more on their way. Camps were established in places near water and where it was likely that gold would be found. Lake Austin was one such place.

Prospectors built camps alongside their workings with the most readily available material – loose ironstone.

A township grew around the prospectors’ camps and when the Railway was extended to Cue, a railway station was established at Lake Austin.

Lake Austin was named after surveyor Robert Austin, who explored the Murchison hinterland in 1854. He initially named the salt lake ‘the Great Inland Marshes’.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low
Authenticity- High

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.