Kookynie, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KookynieWestern Australia |
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Kookynie Public Hospital 1905
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| Established | 1900 |
| Postcode(s) | 6431 |
| Elevation | 425 m (1,394 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Menzies |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Kookynie is a small town in the Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia. It was once a busy place, but now it is mostly a ghost town. The name Kookynie is thought to be an Aboriginal word. It means "waterhole" or "spring".
In 1905, Kookynie had about 1,500 people. Today, it has far fewer residents. In 2006, only 77 people lived there. By Error: Invalid time., the population was around 99.
Contents
Kookynie: A Gold Rush Town
Kookynie started because of gold. Gold was found near the town in 1895. A group of prospectors, including W.A. Miller, made this discovery. Miller quickly claimed the Englishman mine that same year.
The Start of Kookynie
The government officially declared Kookynie a townsite in 1899. It was then made public in 1900. Mr. Beaumont, who managed the Lady Shenton gold mine, gave the town its name.
Life in a Busy Gold Town
By 1905, Kookynie was a modern town. It even had electricity. The biggest employer was the Cosmopolitan Proprietary mine. This mine employed over 500 men. Other important mines included the Britannia and the Cumberland Niagara Champion Proprietary.
Kookynie was also a key place for sending goods to other towns. These included Yerilla, Yarri, Yundamindera, and Edjudina.
The town grew very quickly during the gold rush. By 1907, Kookynie had over 3,500 people. It had many services, like a public swimming pool. There were also eleven hotels and a brewery. Four trains arrived daily from Kalgoorlie.
Kookynie Today: A Ghost Town
Today, Kookynie is much quieter. It has only one pub and hotel for visitors. Compared to other in Western Australia, Kookynie is quite well-preserved. Walking around the old buildings shows how big the town once was.
Niagara Dam: A Desert Oasis
On the road to Kookynie from Menzies, you will find Niagara Dam. This is a concrete gravity dam in an unexpected place. During dry times, the dam can be almost empty. But after heavy rains, it becomes a popular spot. People enjoy its cool waters.
Getting to Kookynie
Kookynie was once a stop on the Kalgoorlie to Leonora railway line. It is still shown on maps as the Kookynie North ballast siding.
