Balgarri, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BalgarriWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
 Balgarri
Location in Western Australia
|
|
| Established | 1898 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 397 m (1,302 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
| State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Balgarri is an interesting "ghost town" located in Western Australia. It's about 45 kilometers (28 miles) north-northwest of a bigger city called Kalgoorlie. You can find Balgarri between two other places, Black Flag and Ora Banda, in a part of Western Australia known as the Goldfields-Esperance region.
What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty and abandoned. These towns often become "ghosts" when the main reason people lived there disappears. For example, if a mine closes down or a railway line changes, people might move away to find new jobs and opportunities.
Balgarri's History
Balgarri was officially named in 1898. Before that, it was known by a different name: Forty Two Mile. The name "Balgarri" comes from the Aboriginal language, but its exact meaning is not known today.
Why Balgarri Became a Ghost Town
Many towns in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, like Balgarri, grew quickly during the gold rush. People flocked there hoping to find gold and get rich. Shops, houses, and schools were built to support the miners and their families. However, when the gold ran out or became too hard to find, people started to leave. This is a common story for many ghost towns in mining areas around the world.
Balgarri is a reminder of Western Australia's exciting gold rush past. Even though it's mostly empty now, it tells a story of the people who once lived and worked there.
