People of Western Australia's Ghost Towns

17/10/2026

https://ghostswa.au

10/10/2026

Candlelight, in the Shire of Dumbleyung, had its origins as a vital water soak and rose to become a railway-supported agricultural hub. Its story includes the influence of the Edwards family, environmental challenges like the 1954 fire, and the area’s recent transition into heritage tourism.

This article explores the history of Candlelight, Western Australia, from its origins as a vital water soak to its peak as a railway-supported agricultural hub. It examines the influence of the Edw…

08/10/2026

Burbidge, Western Australia, traces its history from a gold-mining settlement to its eventual decline. Along the way we learn about the community's social resilience, the transformative 1920s transition to broad-acre agriculture, and the enduring industrial and strategic significance of the Great Victoria lode.
Shire of Yilgarn

This article explores the history of Burbidge, Western Australia, tracing its evolution from a gold-mining settlement to its eventual decline. It details the community’s social resilience, th…

06/10/2026

Born as Fly Flat after August 1892's spectacular gold find, Coolgardie sparked Western Australia's greatest gold rush, transforming a harsh desert wilderness into a booming township. Shire of Coolgardie

Born as Fly Flat after August 1892’s spectacular gold find, Coolgardie sparked Western Australia’s greatest gold rush, transforming a harsh desert wilderness into a booming township.

04/10/2026

71 Mile Well was once an essential transit hub in the Murchison Goldfields. of Sandstone

The following historical account details the life and eventual decline of the 71 Mile Well locality, a once-essential transit hub in the Murchison Goldfields.

02/10/2026

Yerilla, a ghost town in Western Australia’s Goldfields, transformed from a sensational 1895 gold discovery into a bustling town of four hotels before rapidly declining by 1900. The history transitions from a desperate gold rush to a century of pastoralism and gemstone mining.

Yerilla, a ghost town in Western Australia’s Goldfields, transformed from a sensational 1895 gold discovery into a bustling town of four hotels before rapidly declining by 1900. The history transit…

30/09/2026

Payne’s Find is a historic gold-mining and pastoral settlement in Western Australia’s Mid West. Gazetted in 1911 and named after prospector Thomas Payne, the community is defined by its resil…

28/09/2026

Named for wattle rather than gold, Golden Valley was the 1887 birthplace of the Yilgarn gold rush.
Despite extreme water scarcity and the eventual cancellation of its township, Knutsford, it remains a foundational site of Western Australia’s mining heritage. Shire of Yilgarn

Named for wattle rather than gold, Golden Valley was the 1887 birthplace of the Yilgarn gold rush. Despite extreme water scarcity and the eventual cancellation of its township, Knutsford, it remain…

26/09/2026

Established in 1899 as a South West railway siding, Newlands developed around the timber industry and a local school. Gazetted in 1907, the historic townsite successfully transitioned into a tranquil orchard and agricultural community. Shire of Donnybrook Balingup

Established in 1899 as a South West railway siding, Newlands developed around the timber industry and a local school. Gazetted in 1907, the historic townsite successfully transitioned into a tranqu…

24/09/2026

The community of Canna, originally proposed as Pindawa in 1913, evolved from a vital 1915 railway siding into a resilient agricultural hub. It is defined by its iconic pioneer store, hand-built Lutheran church, and spectacular seasonal wildflowers.

The community of Canna, originally proposed as Pindawa in 1913, evolved from a vital 1915 railway siding into a resilient agricultural hub. It is defined by its iconic pioneer store, hand-built Lut…