Karalee Rocks, Yellowdine, WA
Another week, another off grid site. Solar and battery system working a treat. Our only limitation is water and we have solved that by buying a water bladder from Niche Outdoors. More on that another time.
Spent 4-nights here enjoying sunshine, birdlife and exploring the rocks which have a fascinating story.
Rainfall in the area is typically low – 250 mm/year, but the water collection system at Karalee was designed to handle heavy downpours. There are six kilometres of stone wall circling two outcrops that captures and channels water via an aqueduct to a dam. When full the dam held 48.3 million litres.
The water captured project was for use in steam trains travelling to the goldfields in the 1890s.
It’s an awesome example of ingenuity and grit. The people of these times were certainly tough. Gold was the game but water was an even more precious commodity.
TOUGH PEOPLE, TOUGHER COUNTRY
Every man in the rush believed he was marching towards fortune.
Beyond Southern Cross was gold and waterless stretches of sandplain scrub.
Those who did not perish by the side of the road were tormented by heat, dust and flies. While Yaralee was surely a welcome sight, they still had 90 more miles to go to Coolgardie
Damn Coolgardie! Damn the track!
Damn it there and damn it back!
Damn the country! Damn the weather!
Damn the golafields altogether!
Anon. Glint of Gold, M Uren 1948
Info courtesy the National Trust
