Youndegin, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids YoundeginWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
 Youndegin
Location in Western Australia
|
|
| Established | 1892 |
| Postcode(s) | 6407 |
| Elevation | 296 m (971 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Cunderdin |
| State electorate(s) | Central Wheatbelt |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Youndegin is a small town located about 155 kilometers (96 miles) east of Perth, Western Australia. It sits along the Goldfields Road in the Wheatbelt region.
Discovering Youndegin
Youndegin has a long and interesting history. It's known for being a place where some very old space rocks were found!
Early History
A police station was set up in Youndegin as early as 1844. In that same year, some unusual metal objects were found nearby during a police patrol. These objects were later identified as meteorites, which are pieces of rock or metal from space.
The townsite of Youndegin was officially recognized, or gazetted, in 1892. This means it was formally named and marked on maps as a town.
The Gold Rush Era
In 1864, Charles Cooke Hunt was the first European explorer to visit this area. He created a path, or 'track,' that led to the eastern areas where people raised farm animals.
By 1876, the government had set aside land for a police station. When gold was found further east in the 1880s, many more people started using this track. By 1891, a hotel called the Youndegin Arms was built to serve these travelers.
However, after the town was officially recognized, a railway line was built to the goldfields. This railway went south of Youndegin, which meant the town didn't grow much more.
What's in a Name?
The name Youndegin comes from the Aboriginal language. It is the name of a nearby hill. Charles Cooke Hunt first wrote down this name during his expedition in 1864.
