Burlong Pool, Western Australia facts for kids

Burlong Pool is a special part of the Avon River in Western Australia. It's located between the towns of Spencers Brook and Northam. This pool has a rich history, from supplying water to gold miners to being a training ground for soldiers.

Water for the Goldfields

Burlong Pool was once a very important stop for trains. These trains were called "water trains" because they carried water to the Eastern Goldfield areas. This was before a big project called the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme was finished.

In the late 1890s, when the weather was dry, up to five water trains would visit Burlong Pool every day. They would fill up with water from the pool. Then, they would travel all the way from Northam to the goldfields, delivering much-needed water.

A Popular Swimming Spot

After the Goldfields water pipeline was completed, water was no longer taken from Burlong Pool for the trains. However, the pool remained a popular place. It became well-known as a spot for swimming carnivals in Northam. People also enjoyed coming here for swimming and fun trips by train.

Home of the Wagyl

The Noongar people, who are the traditional owners of this land, have a special connection to Burlong Pool. They knew it as a long, deep pool that always had water, even in summer. For them, it was a place where the Wagyl (a mythical rainbow serpent important in Noongar culture) would rest during the warmer months.

Military Training Ground

Burlong Pool was owned by the railway company for a long time. But during World War II, the Australian Army leased it. In the 1940s and 1950s, soldiers used the pool for important training. They practiced crossing water, building bridges, and overcoming water obstacles. It's believed that many old bridge parts and tools might still be at the bottom of the pool from those training days. There was even a rocky river crossing that connected the Northam Army Camp to nearby roads.