Austin, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AustinWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
Lake Austin train station ruins
|
|
 Austin
Location in Western Australia
|
|
| Established | 1895 |
| Elevation | 423 m (1,388 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Shire of Cue |
| State electorate(s) | North West |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Austin is an abandoned town in the Murchison region of Western Australia. An abandoned town is a place where most or all people have left. Austin is located south of Cue. It sits on an island in Lake Austin. Because of this, it was also known as Lake Austin or The Island Lake Austin.
Contents
History of Austin
Naming the Town and Lake
Both the lake and the town were named after a surveyor named Robert Austin. He was the first European to explore and map this area. Robert Austin first called the lake the "Great Inland Marsh". However, its name was later changed to Lake Austin. The townsite of Austin was officially created in 1895.
When Robert Austin traveled through the area, he said it was "very indifferent." This meant he didn't think much of it. But he also added that the "geological features indicate rich goldfields." This suggested there might be a lot of gold there.
Gold Mining in Austin
In 1895, the town of Austin had a special machine called a ten-head stamp mill. This machine was used to crush rocks. It helped to get gold out of the ore from the Austin mine, which was just outside the town.
Getting Around Austin
At first, people traveled to and from Austin by a coach. This coach ran twice a week from Yalgoo. But by 1898, a railway line was built. This made it much easier to reach the town.
Today, you can still see the old townsite of Austin. It is visible from the Great Northern Highway.
Images for kids
-
Lake Austin township, Murchison region of Western Australia around 1950
-
A closer look at Lake Austin township, Murchison region of Western Australia around 1950
