Gnarlbine Rock facts for kids
Gnarlbine Rock is a large, ancient rock made of granite. You can find it about 492 km (306 mi) east of Perth and 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Coolgardie in Western Australia. This special rock is part of a protected area called a heritage listed reserve, which means it's important and looked after.
The name "Gnarlbine" is quite old and was used for different things in the Coolgardie area. In fact, the town of Coolgardie was originally known as Gnarlbine!
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A Vital Water Stop
Gnarlbine Rock was super important because it had a natural waterhole nearby. This waterhole was a lifesaver for many people, especially during the exciting Coolgardie gold rush. Imagine, people came from all over, hoping to find gold, and this water source was often their only way to survive in the dry Australian outback.
Water for Everyone
The waterhole on the eastern side of Gnarlbine Rock was also very important to Indigenous Australian peoples for a very long time. They knew the land well and relied on places like this for water. Later, when European explorers arrived, they also quickly learned how valuable this water source was.
Explorers and Prospectors
Many explorers and gold prospectors stopped at Gnarlbine Rock.
- In 1863, an explorer named Henry Lefroy visited the waterhole. It soon became a key stopping point for anyone traveling through the area.
- Another explorer, Charles Cooke Hunt, camped by the rock in 1864. He wrote down that the water could be very useful.
- In 1888, a prospector named Gilles McPherson was saved by an Aboriginal man named Toobey. Toobey guided him to the well after McPherson couldn't find any water on his own.
- Charles Cooke Hunt returned in July 1865. Under his guidance, a proper well was dug out and lined with stones to make it even better for collecting water.
Location and Activities
Gnarlbine Rock is found along the Holland Track, which is a historic route between Broomehill and Coolgardie. Today, it's a great spot for camping, and visitors can still see the historic well and learn about its past. It's a reminder of how important water was, and still is, in the Australian landscape.
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