Stock Routes to and from Mingenew

Physical Description

The original pathways made by and for people and stock. These became, in most instances, the roadways of the present. The original tracks went between water sources and watering and resting places were established every 10-15 miles, a recognised day's journey for travelling stock. These water sources, whether pool, soak, spring or man-made well, had an area of land around them set aside and reserved for public use. Some reserves, such as Depot Hill, were largely for the purpose of withholding sale stock until they were entrained. Extensive land was also set aside around the Mingenew townsite for mobs of sheep and cattle to rest and graze while waiting for train transport to market.
The routes carried no man-made road structure in the form of earthworks, fords, bridges or sign-posts. They did have the marks of footprints, especially over stony divides, and every drover knew the way once he had travelled the route the first time.
Gradually these pathways became tracks with wheelruts made by the vehicular traffic, which, during the goldrush period of the 1890's, was extensive.
After the turn of the century when motorised traffic began, these pathways were gradually improved through the Road Boards.
By the 1950s stock were transported by motorised trucks and the old stock routes and resting places as such, became obsolete.

History

The first route (2437) led from the Lockier River west of Mingenew and followed the Irwin River west to pick up the coast route at the 8 Mile. All stock and traffic from the Mingenew area used this pathway from 1850 to the end of the century. It was gazetted in 1892. Another route (10876) was found to be better leading directly south from Mingenew before turning west along a depression and following a creekline to the coast route at the 8 Mile. This was gazetted in 1905. Situated along this route lay The Tank, a natural rock depression in the creak, holding water for long periods. The 8 Mile (Reserve No 10877) became a barrier line for scab in the 1890s with facilities for dipping sheep before they passed on to the south.
As pastoralists moved further north in the 1870s, they established a route (2138) from the Murchison down to Mingenew to access the way to the south. Depot Hill (Reserve No 2360) with its fresh springs in the Irwin River, became an extensive watering and resting place. The north route was gazetted in 1905.
The main stock routes to the north and east from Mingenew were not gazetted as major pathways. However they carried all the early traffic as the settlers established "runs" in those directions during the 1860s and 1870s. When gold was discovered further north, these pathways carried all the extensive traffic of the day and from the 1890s all provisions and equipment was sent by train to Mingenew and carted from there.
The route to Rothsay Goldmining Centre went past the outcamps of Ebano, Yongaloo Well then climbed up Jacobs Ladder out of the valley to Orango Spring and Pintharuka. To travel to the Murchison Goldfields one followed the Lockier River up past Manarra and on to Nungatoo Tank, Road Board Well and the wayside inn called Nanekine.
Many lesser routes led from all areas of settlement to the centre or to the southern markets and Perth. As the precursor of the modem road systems, the old routes linked together to form a network of communication and movement wherever men and animals went.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most routes are retained as part of the local road network

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.