Where is the ‘Pig Rock’?

I’m sure that many of you will have heard of ‘Frog Rock’ just near the turn off to Kookynie. But has anyone heard of the ‘Pig Rock’ in Coolgardie?

Where is Pig Rock ?
from an undated article in the Coolgardie Newspaper in the 1980’s.

Coolgardie Shire Councillors are taking more than a casual glance at the town’s gardens – particularly landscaped ones. They are looking for a rock that is shaped like a pig. It even stands on four stumpy legs.

Until two weeks ago, the ‘pig rock’ was a main tourist attraction at Gnarlbine Rocks, a flora and fauna reserve, 20 miles south of the town. People would photograph themselves alongside the rock. But now the rock has gone, and the disappearance has baffled the council. “Whoever took the rock would have needed a truck with a crane,” said Mr B G Willoughby last night. “It weighed about three tons. We have had three or four leads but they have all fallen through” said Mr Willoughby.

A Focal Point – The council has not called in the police but has asked its staff to keep a lookout for the rock. “We think somebody has probably decided to landscape their garden with the rock” said Mr Willoughby. “when we catch up the person we will make sure they put it back exactly where it was”. Gnarlbine Rocks was the focal point that led to the discovery of Coolgardie and the Eastern Goldfields. It was the place where H M Lefroy stopped in 1863, saw Mt Burgess and reported good grazing land suitable for sale. It was also mentioned in the journals of John Holland.

When gold was found in 1892, the rush to the fields was known as the ‘Gnarlbine Rush’, the spot was the last watering place before Coolgardie. Today it is a popular picnic spot.

NOTE: It was later found that the ‘pig’ was ‘accidentally’ taken by some person and placed in the gardens of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Kalgoorlie. It was found in the garden outside their chapel. I have not been able to find out if it is still in Kalgoorlie. I didn’t like to wander around the gardens of the Little Sisters of the Poor, saying I was looking for a stolen stone pig, nor have I yet been out to Gnarlbine Rocks to see if it was ever replaced.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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