While Nullagine lies beyond the typical scope of Outback Family History, its allure is undeniable, as countless miners from Western Australia’s central goldfields flocked to this remote region. I’m confident you’ll find the 1904 account of the town truly captivating.
Latitude 21° 53′ S Longitude 120° 07′ E
The townsite of Nullagine is located in the Pilbara region, 297 km southeast of Port Hedland. Gold was first discovered in the Nullagine area by N W Cooke in 1886, but it was in the mid-1890s that there was local community pressure for a townsite to be declared. The survey of lots was made in 1897/8, and the townsite was gazetted in 1899. The nearest town is Marble Bar, 88 km away.
Sign at entrance to Nullagine – Photo SLWA
The name of the townsite is derived from the Aboriginal name applied to the nearby river. This was first recorded as the Ngullagine River in the 1880s, but popular usage dropped the first “g”, the current spelling being used for the goldfields.
Nullagine Creek 2020 – Photo Aussie Towns
Great North-West And Its Resources – 1 December 1904
A drive of 80 miles from Marble Bar through a very hilly belt of auriferous country – in which, apparently, very little, if any, prospecting has been done – brought us to Nullagine. The township owes its origin to the discovery of alluvial gold some 17 years ago. The township is a thriving one, consisting of a Post and Telegraph Office, Warden’s Court, a Police Station, two hotels, three stores, a blacksmith’s shop, and a butchering establishment.
The nearest mine to the townsite—only one mile distant—is the Conglomerate, owned by the British Exploration Co. It is at present under exemption. It might here be mentioned that the cost of mining in this district, owing to the heavy transport charges, is almost prohibitive. There are, however, 200 men working on the belt of country between Nullagine and Mosquito Creek, all doing fairly well.
Nullagine Township 1900 – Photo SLWA
This firm consists of J. Boyer & Co., Mr. Nicholas Clemmensen (Managing Partner), and Mr. J. Boyer. They are two of the earliest arrivals in Nullagine and have done their share in assisting in opening up the district. They are the proprietors of a large general store and the Nullagine Hotel. They also own the hotel and store at Mosquito Creek, situated 28 miles away, and also a battery at Mosquito Creek used solely for public crushing. The Nullagine Hotel is fitted with a billiard room and other conveniences, and the owners have recently built a private cottage for their own accommodation, and that of first-class guests.
Most of the stone at present being crushed at the firm’s battery is being taken from the various mines between Nullagine and Mosquito Creek.
Of course, the railway difficulty and the lack of suitable timber are retarding progress and materially affecting the output of this locality. At present, only the eyes are being picked out of the ground. The district, it will be seen, owes a good deal to the enterprise of Messrs. J. Boyer and Co., whose efforts, in its interests, deserve to be crowned with success. As illustrating what Messrs. Boyer and Co., in common with the other residents, reasonably urge, if the rail line were only constructed for a distance of 22 miles, say from Port Hedland to Poondona it would get over the heavy, sandy patch, and give a fillip to the district.
It would show good faith on the part of the Government that they were not neglecting the possibilities of this district, and would be an inducement to miners and capitalists to carry out further prospecting work. The country is undoubtedly sufficiently proven to warrant construction, the cost of which should not exceed £60,000, and may be accomplished for very much less.
M. Walker was the first business established in Nullagine, having been opened in 1889 as a general store; the operations of the firm extend to a distance of about 60 miles. The stock is large and well assorted and embraces everything required in the surrounding district.
Walker and Co’s Store, Nullagine and the interior of the store – Images TROVE
The Conglomerate Hotel, of which Mr. Chiavi is the lessee, and the blacksmith’s shop are the property of Mr. Walker. The latter is at present being run by him. Mr. Walker has unbounded faith in the mining future of this district and believes that, with railway facilities, it would go speedily ahead. Mr. Walker is also a J.P. and a member of the Roads Board.
The Conglomerate Hotel, Nullagine and billiard room – Image TROVE
The oldest hotel is the Conglomerate and has served the district of Nullagine for several years before a second house was licensed. It takes its name from the Conglomerate Mine. The hotel contains a billiard room and all other conveniences and is provided with excellent stabling. A private cottage, some distance from the main building, is used for the accommodation of guests. The prospects of the district are considered sufficiently good to warrant the erection of an entirely new building, the material for which, at the time of writing, was on its way up. The table and liquor are excellent, and the genial host, Mr Henry Benedict Chiavi, knows how to make his patrons welcome and comfortable.
The Royal Mail Coach loading up at Nullagine, c 1905 – Image SLWA
This is an extract on the facilities of the town, the full article, which contains much more detail on the mining aspects of the area, can be read here: Full article
Mr S D Mills’ inspection trip – Meekatharra, Peak Hill and Three Rivers – Meekatharra – Nullagine mail car, which does a 1200-mile trip fortnightly – Image SLWA
MARBLE BAR NEWS – Lonely Grave
An old Nullagine miner named Harry Hale died on the 8th August 1895 while on his way to the ‘Bar’ to see the doctor. The apparent cause of death was dropsy.
Marker on Harry Hale’s Grave. – Image TROVE
Harry John HALE (HAYLE, HALES) – d 8 Aug 1895 and was buried where he died between Stewarts Well and Taylor’s Creek, 32 miles from Nullagine on Bonney Downs Station. The informant of his death was Archibald Campbell Townsend, Nullagine Storekeeper. The Government, well, a few hundred meters away, became known as Hale’s Well. One account says he was 35 years of age.
Moya Sharp
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Greetings Moya,
Great to see yu are back and hope all is well,
Maurice Easton
South Australia