Mount Magnet is an old gold rush town located along the
Great Northern Highway 573 kilometres north east of Perth and 341
kilometres east north-east of Geraldton.
The name of the area was chosen due to the magnetic effect that a high iron content hill located near the current town site had on explorer's compasses. The shire of Mount Magnet is almost 14,000 square kilometres in size.
The town primarily services the surrounding pastoral district which supports some of the largest sheep stations in the state. An airport is located near the town, from where services operate to and from Meekatharra and Perth. In recent years with the increased gold prices, a number of huge open cut mines have been established in the area.
Surrounding the town are the remains of old mining operations, while to the north east, significant Aboriginal sites are being preserved jointly by the local community and the West Australian Museum. In 1902 the town was booming with some 14 hotels, 2 newspapers and 30 goldmines. Today the town has a resident population of about 1000 people
The area has an annual rainfall of only 228mm, however, during spring, tourist visit the area to view the natural displays of everlasting wild flowers which can from September to November stretch in all directions for as far as the eye can see. The town is located 6 hours drive from Perth, which is a comfortable day's journey for vehicles heading to locations such as Mount Augustus and Port Hedland.
Nearby schools
Mt Magnet District High School
Mount Magnet Primary School
The name of the area was chosen due to the magnetic effect that a high iron content hill located near the current town site had on explorer's compasses. The shire of Mount Magnet is almost 14,000 square kilometres in size.
The town primarily services the surrounding pastoral district which supports some of the largest sheep stations in the state. An airport is located near the town, from where services operate to and from Meekatharra and Perth. In recent years with the increased gold prices, a number of huge open cut mines have been established in the area.
Surrounding the town are the remains of old mining operations, while to the north east, significant Aboriginal sites are being preserved jointly by the local community and the West Australian Museum. In 1902 the town was booming with some 14 hotels, 2 newspapers and 30 goldmines. Today the town has a resident population of about 1000 people
The area has an annual rainfall of only 228mm, however, during spring, tourist visit the area to view the natural displays of everlasting wild flowers which can from September to November stretch in all directions for as far as the eye can see. The town is located 6 hours drive from Perth, which is a comfortable day's journey for vehicles heading to locations such as Mount Augustus and Port Hedland.
Nearby schools
Mt Magnet District High School
Mount Magnet Primary School
Connections to the National Broadband Network are not due to be available in Mount Magnet until after 2015. Learn more.
Find jobs in Mount Magnet.
Mount Magnet races. Photograph © th1620. Courtesy of Panoramio
Mount Magnet
Video © DON434. Courtesy of YouTube.
Find jobs in Mount Magnet.
Mount Magnet races. Photograph © th1620. Courtesy of Panoramio
Mount Magnet
Video © DON434. Courtesy of YouTube.