We weren’t sure about visiting anywhere in the Pilbara region to go prospecting. We had not spoken to anyone who had been there before so we really weren’t sure what to expect. But as we drove down the Western Australian coast a long way past Broome and towards Port Headland, we came to the turn off to Marble Bar. Feeling a little adventurous and confident that we had enough petrol to make it there we turned off inland towards Australia’s hottest town, which was about another 150km from the main highway.
Actually we arrived in the town with the petrol gauge just on empty…!! So we pulled up at the local store and petrol station to fill up. However, the ULP pump was broken…so we ended up being stuck until it was fixed…the lady said it might not be fixed for another few days! We reached out for help from the local Shire office and that was the beginning of our amazing experience in Marble Bar. The kindness shown by the people that we met in the Marble Bar community was just amazing and we ended up staying in the area for about three weeks.
One of the first things we did when we got our petrol situation sorted out was to visit the Mines Department to see where we could go prospecting…yes there is a mines office in Marble Bar! We were surprised to find out that there was a specific area that had been put aside especially for prospectors by the local council. It’s called 4 Mile…because it’s about 4 miles out of town! Apparently you don’t even need a Western Australian miners right to prospect on this special area and it’s the only area like this in Australia.
The colours of the Pilbara landscapes are amazing!
The town was officially gazetted in 1893 following the discovery of gold in the area in 1890 by a prospector named Francis Jenkins who is remembered by the name of the town’s main street. The name Marble Bar was derived from a nearby jasper bar mistaken for Marble and now known as Marble Bar, which runs across the bed of the Coongan River.
Just a short drive out of town is the Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre which is also worth a visit.
Sturt’s Desert Pea below.
The Pilbara region is also famous for it’s beautiful wildflowers and native wildlife.
And of course we found some gold!! Here is a sneak peak…!!
Watch our video “Finding Gold In Marble Bar WA” below;