Where is Quinns – ghost towns

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Many of you may not have heard of the small settlement of Quinns in the Murchison of Western Australia.

It is described in 1895 as ‘A picturesque spot, half way between Nannine and Barambi, and was at one time the largest alluvial field on the Murchison. The Phoenix is the main mine, there also being an hotel and a store both kept by mien host Lehmann

The Quinns Hotel

The Quinns area is 60 kilometres south south-east of Meekatharra, south of the Gabanintha gold mine, and approximately 5 kilometres west of the Meekatharra-Sandstone Road. Access is along tracks from this road, directly north of Nowathanna Hill. The track heads west then turns south. There are many tracks in the area. Generally the gold area occupies several acres on ridges along the northern shoreline of a large saltpan.

The Phoenix GM, Quinns

Quinns is an old alluvial field, with only minor quartz reef gold found. Modern prospectors have turned over much of the area with bulldozers, probably to access deeper areas to metal detect. At least three small remnant battery sand heaps exist, trenches, costeans, and shafts. Several groupings of shafts and workings occur to the south-west of the main area, and isolated groupings outside this over several kilometres.

Little detailed information was found as the field was largely the preserve of prospectors. In 1897 it is reported 30 men are working the field alluvially, but was largely worked out by 1907. The earliest report found was 1894. A state battery was erected on the field at the end of 1910. There was renewed interest by prospectors in the 1930’s, and the battery was still going at this stage.

Total gold production recorded on the field was 17 000 ounces, with a further 20 000 ounces of alluvial gold after 1938.

The Gorge, Quinns

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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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