Red Dust lies in the heart of the Murchison Goldfields 575 kilometres from **Perth** via the Great Northern Highway. Red Dust is s a comfortable day's drive from Perth for those heading north east. During the wildflower season, usually from about late July to the middle of September (subject to seasonal rains), the area around Red Dust is transformed from red earth to a carpet of colour. Many unique and picturesque features surround the area. Countless natural rock formations, or 'breakaways', gives the town its name. The discovery of gold in the area at the turn of the very early 1900s led to the establishment of several towns in the locality. It was gazetted in 1910. There are many places to see in the area: The Coonardoo Dam (east on the Desert Hwy) was completed in 1915, suppling water to the steam trains which serviced the area. A half an hours' drive north of Red Dust (on the Coonardoo Road) is the Alfred Jackson Lookout. Of the many picturesque and interesting breakaways in the sandstone area 'Nature’s Door' is the most spectacular. It was once wide enough to allow a horse and sulky to cross but over the years it has been eroded to its present one metre width and visitors are requested not to walk over it. It is formed of weathered basalt and the rock is believed to be about 350 million years old. Many wild drinking parties were held here after the establishment of the brewery nearby and consequently, the bridge was commonly known as 'the Devil's Drop'. The smallest of the four hotels built in Red Dust during the gold rush years, the Railway Hotel is also the only one still remaining. It was built by Mr H.B. Patterson in 1911 using bricks fired in a local kiln. Food is available at the local hotel. Hotel/motel, caravan park and self contained unit style accommodation is available in Red Dust.
Red Dust lies in the heart of the Murchison Goldfields 575 kilometres from **Perth** via the Great Northern Highway. Red Dust is s a comfortable day's drive from Perth for those heading north east.
During the wildflower season, usually from about late July to the middle of September (subject to seasonal rains), the area around Red Dust is transformed from red earth to a carpet of colour. Many unique and picturesque features surround the area. Countless natural rock formations, or 'breakaways', gives the town its name.
The discovery of gold in the area at the turn of the very early 1900s led to the establishment of several towns in the locality. It was gazetted in 1910. There are many places to see in the area: The Coonardoo Dam (east on the Desert Hwy) was completed in 1915, suppling water to the steam trains which serviced the area.
A half an hours' drive north of Red Dust (on the Coonardoo Road) is the Alfred Jackson Lookout. Of the many picturesque and interesting breakaways in the sandstone area 'Nature’s Door' is the most spectacular. It was once wide enough to allow a horse and sulky to cross but over the years it has been eroded to its present one metre width and visitors are requested not to walk over it. It is formed of weathered basalt and the rock is believed to be about 350 million years old. Many wild drinking parties were held here after the establishment of the brewery nearby and consequently, the bridge was commonly known as 'the Devil's Drop'.
The smallest of the four hotels built in Red Dust during the gold rush years, the Railway Hotel is also the only one still remaining. It was built by Mr H.B. Patterson in 1911 using bricks fired in a local kiln. Food is available at the local hotel. Hotel/motel, caravan park and self contained unit style accommodation is available in Red Dust.
Red Dust School