Kunanalling – Ghost Town
Latitude 30 141’ S Longitude 121 04’ E Now an abandoned townsite, Kunanalling is located in what is now the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia 25 “miles (32 km) from Coolgardie on the road that traverses the western side of Mt Burges. Gold was discovered here in 1892, and it was known as the “Twenty Five Mile” for many years before the townsite was laid out and gazetted in 1894.
Kunanalling Townsite- c 1901 – Image SLWA
The Kunanalling Goldfields district encompassed the lesser centres of Carbine, Chadwin, Dunnsville, Geordie Hills, Kintore (Cement) and Kundana 21 mile. Kunanalling’s Premier Hotel was a typical Goldfields pub, built by Fred ‘Cousin Jack’ Bow, a Coolgardie entrepreneur whose thriving wagon team business had made him a wealthy man. Fred could see the potential of a new hotel at Kunanalling and could guarantee that it would sell beer,wine and spirits at cheaper prices.
In 1901 the Premier Mine provided electricity to the hotel, and it was opened with great celebration. It was a relatively ‘flash’ 10 bedroom establishment and one of the first in the Goldfields to have electricity. It had a huge parlour, a billiard room, a cellar to cool the beer kegs and a large kitchen fitted with a wood range. A large, brick-paved courtyard separated the bedrooms from the hotel. Twelve 200-gallon rainwater tanks were set up on the surrounds of the courtyard and provided ample storage for drinking and washing. But, in just over two years of successful trading, the closure of the Premier Mine dealt the pub and Kunanalling a near-fatal blow. In 1922-1926, the Kellys took charge of the hotel, with ‘Gran’ Kelly being possibly the first publican in Australia to offer counter meals in the bar. Her delicious food delighted many regular customers, and no one was refused a second helping. One can only imagine the elegant atmosphere, with a piano at the ready – whenever there was anyone who could play.
Premier Hotel Kunanalling – Image SLWA
The Magic of Ice Cream
Ice Cream, that magic word with young people, was unheard of in Kunanalling until ‘Gran’ decided to put it on the Sunday menu. This, of course, was many years before the advent of refrigeration in the outback. One Saturday afternoon, a large bag of ice (packed in straw) was picked up from the Kalgoorlie Ice Works and a churn from Baird’s. Early Sunday morning saw the time-consuming task of making the ice cream for Sunday lunch. Locals voted it the best ice cream ever.
Premier Hotel in Ruins 2010 – Image Moya Sharp
Drawing of McDonald’s Store Kunanalling c 1896 – Image SLWA
Moya Sharp
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
- Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
- A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
- The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026
My mother’s family were early settlers of Kunanalling (Bounsells) & her cousin wrote a book of the towns history & all the families. My grandmother married & moved to Ora Banda, where my mother grew up. My great uncle, William Bounsell, enlisted in WW1 & was killed at Gallipoli. I am very excited to be going there in June, as the first of the family to pay my respects. Good luck on your research. Lee McDonald
Hi Lee Yes I corresponded with Rob Bousell for several years and have both of his books. May I ask how he is. It must be 10 yrs since I last wrote to him. I hope you enjoy your visit, there is not much there now only the ruins of the Premier Hotel but its a lovely peaceful spot. Bye for now
Moya
HI Moya, my uncle Sydney Anzac Meadows had a gold mine with 2 other partners called the Jenny Wren,which they sold in 1948, if i wanted to visit the area what is the best way from coolgardie to get there.
Its a short drive and if you call at the visitor’s centre in the Museum they will be able to give you directions. It’s about a 25-minute drive and you turn off the main street into Moran Street on the left (if you are coming from Perth) and just keep going straight.