Sandstone, Western Australia

An isolated goldmining town in Murchison Goldfields region. The area is home to Australian wildlife such as emus, bungarras and of course kangaroos. Indeed it is not unusual to see a kangaroo hopping in the main street after dark. More info
Location: 742 km north-east of Perth via the Great Northern Highway and the town of Mount Magnet
Origin of name: throughout the area natural rock formations or breakaways contrast dramatically with the rust stained sandstone landscape which gave the town its name.
Brief history: In 1894 Ernest Shillington and a number of fellow prospectors found gold about 20 km southwest of the present townsite. For a period of six years from 1907 Sandstone was a small city of some 6,000 to 8,000 people. It had four hotels, four butchers, many cafes, stores and business houses, as well as a staffed police station and two banks. During this boom period, in July 1910 the railway came to the town. However by 1919 only 200 people remained and many buildings were pulled down and moved. Fortunately Sandstone was able to survive as a centre for the region’s growing pastoral industry. In more recent times, gold-mining has re-emerged as the principal industry.
Natural features: London Bridge rock arch; Brewery rock formation
Built features: Black Range Chapel; National Hotel; Sandstone Heritage Trail.