Poison Rocks facts for kids
Poison Rocks is a unique rock formation found in Western Australia. It was once known as Poison Rock. This place is located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Mount Magnet, within the Shire of Sandstone.
The name "Poison Rocks" comes from a surprising event that happened there long ago.
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How Poison Rocks Got Its Name
The explorer Robert Austin was the first to name this spot. He camped there during his expedition in 1854. While he was there, something unfortunate happened to his horses.
Austin's Expedition
Nine of Austin's horses died after eating poisonous plants in the area. He also had to leave two more horses behind because they were very sick and close to dying. This sad event led Austin to call the place "Poison Rocks."
John Forrest's Journey
Years later, in 1869, another famous explorer named John Forrest led an expedition. He was searching for Ludwig Leichhardt, an explorer who had gone missing.
A Clue from Aboriginal People
Forrest's group met some Aboriginal people during their journey. These people offered to guide them to a place where many horse skeletons could be seen. Forrest traveled with them for about a week.
Realizing the Location
Eventually, Forrest realized he was being led straight to Poison Rocks. Since he already knew about the dangers of the area, he decided to change his course. He then continued with his original plan for the expedition.
