Yunndaga, Western Australia

Yunndaga is an abandoned town located in the Goldfields-Esperance region in Western Australia, between Kalgoorlie and Leonora along the Goldfields Highway.

Yunndaga
Western Australia
Yunndaga
Coordinates29.747194°S 121.054529°E / -29.747194; 121.054529
Established1904
Postcode(s)6438
Elevation422 m (1,385 ft)
Location
  • 718 km (446 mi) ENE of Perth
  • 7 km (4 mi) south of Menzies
LGA(s)Shire of Menzies
State electorate(s)Kalgoorlie
Federal Division(s)O'Connor

In the mid-1890s gold was discovered in the area, and by 1898 a layout for businesses and residences was planned, initially called Woolgar. By 1904 the mining warden sought for the town to be declared. A town named Woolgar already existed in Queensland, so Yunndaga was chosen instead. The town was gazetted in March 1904.[1]

In 1897 when construction of the Kalgoorlie to Menzies railway line commenced a siding was later established in Yunndaga. The narrow gauge line was closed in 1973 and the siding was subsequently demolished.[2]

A Roman Catholic and Methodist church had both been built in the town by 1904.[3]

The Yunndaga hotel was built prior to 1918, and was sold to J. K. Robinson for £3000 at that time.[4]

By 1924, the town was home to several businesses, including the Royal Group Hotel. One of the main mines close to town at the time was the Menzies Consolidated Gold Mine.[5]

In 1936 there were 50 residents living in the town.[6]

The name of the town is Aboriginal in origin and was originally spelt as Yundagar. The meaning of the name is not known.

References
  1. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – Y". Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  2. "Register of Heritage places – Assessment documentation" (PDF). National Library of Australia. November 1996. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  3. "News and notes". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 14 March 1904. p. 4. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  4. "Yunndaga hotel litigation". Western Argus. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 1 October 1918. p. 11. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  5. "Yunndaga". Western Argus. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 25 November 1924. p. 16. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  6. "Gallon licence granted". Western Argus. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 17 November 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
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