MARBLE BAR, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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This isolated community was for many years known as the hottest town in Australia. It is now accepted that the mining towns of Pannawonica and Paraburdoo, in the Hamersley Ranges a few hundred kms to the west, have higher maximum temperatures.
Location: 1501 kms north of Perth and 203 kms south-east of Port/South Hedland.
Origin of name: named after a rocky outcrop of jasper quartzite on the Coongan River. It is thought to have been erroneously named as a 'marble bar' in 1908 by surveyor Charles Crossland. The town takes its name from the geographical feature.
Brief history: gold was first discovered in this barren and isolated area in 1888 which gave birth to a mini goldrush. When the gold ran out, it reverted to being an isolated community and supply point on the inland highway north from Meekatharra to Port Hedland.
Natural features: Marble Bar and pool; Oakover River; Carawine Gorge; Coppins Gap; Chinamans Pool
Built features: Comet Gold mine and Tourist Centre; tin workings on Nullagine Road; Corunna Downs World war II RAAF Base ruins
Heritage features: Government Offices (1894-95); Iron Clad Hotel; Abydos - Woodstock Aboriginal Art Sites