After a leisurely breakfast of cereal and/or bacon and eggs, we were on the track at 8.45 am. We crossed the Celebration Road heading east in search of Hunts Slate Well. We had determined the general area and searched three potential areas thoroughly. The maps we had showed the well at two different coordinates.

Kim cooking breakfast at the camp on the Spargoville Road

Kim headed off with Rob and Clinton to the second location but got diverted to Moorabah Dam. After checking it out he called up Phil on the radio and the two vehicle crews met near the dam. It was a recent construction (around 1980s onwards) and the water was used for mining. There was some water at the dam but not sufficient to create a reasonable inland lake.

For more photographs of Moorabah Dam, click here

We then interpreted a third location from written information we had available but still had no success in locating it. Although we weren’t successful we gave it a red hot go. Joe walked a considerable distance east of our discussion point. Peter and Kim walked a similar distance south and found an extensive outcropping of slate. Kim returned to pick up Rob and Clinton and then drove cross country to where Peter was further exploring the slate outcrop. Phil and Joe arrived in the Toyota, having found a track that led almost to the spot. The area was thoroughly searched but no well was found. We did, however, come across an ancient and rusting horse drawn scoop and some water condenser tanks.

Condenser tanks and scoop found in the vicinity of Slate Well

The country near the creek bed was open salt bush country with gum trees prominent. It was much prettier away from the creek bed, We presumed the well had been buried in a flash flood.

Some seven kilometres north of the Slate Well area was the site of King Battery. A 20 head battery was placed here in 1901. It lasted only two years due to a shortage of water. The battery was set in a picturesque breakaway with use being made of the natural setting by having part of the operation above the breakaway and part below. Still standing are the two brick towers that held up a large tailings wheel and significant footings related to the battery.

For more photographs of King Battery, click here

Another of Rob’s transcriptions:

EASTERN GOLDFIELDS HERITAGE TRAIL
KING BATTERY

In 1901 an Ore crushing battery was built here to crush gold bearing rock from the Ring Neck group of mines 8 km to the south west and mines 8 km north.
A railway line joined them, and water was pumped to the 20 head battery from the nearby lake.

The battery suffered from a shortage of water, and operated for only two years.

Joe, Peter, Phil and Rob

Our next stop was Stony Tank, a Hunt site. Here we found a brass plaque commemorating the site, Hunt and his track. We were so pleased to have found at least one site. The plaque read:

YORK TO GOLDFIELDS HERITAGE TRAIL
STONEY HILL AND DAM

Two dams were constructed here by explorer Charles Cook Hunt in 1865 after he first travelled through this area in 1864.
Hunt visited again in 1866: “On reaching the tanks at Stoney Hill at 11.30 a.m. on 11th August, I found them in great preservation, full and flowing over”.

Click here for more photographs of Stoney Well

Continuing north on the Celebration Road on what was becoming a very hot day, we turned off and drove to the top of Mount Hunt. Although a bit rocky, anyone making the effort to get to the top is rewarded by commanding 360° views. One could clearly see the Super Pit slime dumps, Lake Hannan and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

For more photographs, click here

In Boulder we picked up some drinking water and a few food items before heading out of town towards Coolgardie, where we refuelled.

Our camp destination for the night was to be Burra Rock. On arrival it was still hot and we were all exhausted from the day's exertions under extreme conditions so we decided to postpone our  tour of the rock until tomorrow.  We camped five kilometres south of the rock.  Kim erected a large tarp that provided excellent shade.

Phil's shower setup was appreciated by all

Phil erected his shower system and a lovely shower was enjoyed by all those who wanted one.

Dinner was steak cooked on the bbq with potatoes in the coals, and salad, followed by surprise sweets of ice cream and fruit.

It was again very hot today – at Kalgoorlie it was 37.0°C and 39.5°C at Southern Cross.

Total distance travelled – 200 kilometres.