Mungari, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MungariWestern Australia |
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Established | 1897 |
Postcode(s) | 6430 |
Elevation | 392 m (1,286 ft) |
Location |
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LGA(s) | Shire of Coolgardie |
State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Mungari is a fascinating ghost town in Western Australia. It's located in the Goldfields-Esperance region, nestled between the towns of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. A ghost town is a place that was once busy but is now mostly empty, often because the main reason people lived there, like a mine, stopped operating.
Mungari: A Town's Story
Mungari began its life as a simple stop along the railway line that connected Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie. Railways were super important back then for moving people and goods, especially during the gold rush!
How Mungari Started
By 1897, the area around the railway stop was surveyed, meaning plots of land were measured out for buildings. A hotel was quickly built, showing that people expected the town to grow and become a busy place.
A Changing Name
The town's name wasn't always Mungari. It was first called Mungarrie. However, this name sounded too much like another mining town nearby, Mulgarrie. To avoid confusion, the spelling was changed to Mungarri. Later, in 1897, a special area for the town was officially set aside. The townsite itself was formally recognized in 1904, and at that time, it was spelled Munngari. Finally, in 1974, the spelling was changed one last time to its current name, Mungari.
Mungari During Wartime
During World War I, Mungari played a different role. It was used as a military training camp. Soldiers would have practiced their skills and prepared for their duties in this remote location. This shows how even small towns can have important historical connections.