Southern Cross
Gold Prospecting Location around Southern Cross
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Southern Cross holds a special place in Western Australian history as the town that started the state's gold rush. Its discovery predated and helped pave the way for the later, larger rushes at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. The town became the major administrative center for the Shire of Yilgarn and has maintained its importance as a service center.
The Southern Cross operation extends from Bullfinch in the north to Marvel Loch in the south, with accumulated production exceeding 10 million ounces. Located in the world-famous center of the Yilgarn Goldfields, Southern Cross represents both the beginning of Western Australia's gold story and its ongoing productivity.
Southern Cross was the site of the first major gold discovery that sparked Western Australia's gold rush. The early discoveries here demonstrated the potential of the region and attracted prospectors who would go on to make the famous discoveries at Coolgardie in 1892 and Kalgoorlie in 1893.
The town was carefully planned and established as a mining center, becoming the administrative center for the Shire of Yilgarn. Its location, 371 kilometers east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway, made it a natural gateway to the goldfields.
During the gold rush era, Southern Cross developed substantial infrastructure including a State Battery, hotels, banks, churches, and government buildings. The town served as a critical stopping point for prospectors heading further east to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie.
Modern mining has revitalized the Southern Cross area, with operations extending from Bullfinch in the north through Southern Cross to Marvel Loch in the south. This line of mines, located in the Yilgarn Goldfields, has achieved accumulated production exceeding 10 million ounces of gold. The Southern Cross project continues to be economically significant, with both open pit and underground operations maintaining the area's gold production into the 21st century.
Common Questions
Why is Southern Cross historically significant? ▼
Southern Cross is significant as the town that started Western Australia's gold rush. The discoveries here predated and helped pave the way for the later, larger rushes at Coolgardie (1892) and Kalgoorlie (1893), making it the birthplace of the state's gold mining industry.
How much gold has been produced from Southern Cross? ▼
The Southern Cross project, which extends from Bullfinch to Marvel Loch, has achieved accumulated production exceeding 10 million ounces of gold. This makes it one of Western Australia's most significant gold-producing regions.
Where is Southern Cross located? ▼
Southern Cross is located 371 kilometers east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway. It is the major town and administrative center of the Shire of Yilgarn, positioned at the gateway to the goldfields.
Is there still gold mining at Southern Cross? ▼
Yes, modern gold mining operations continue in the Southern Cross area with both open pit and underground mines. The region remains economically significant for gold production, and recreational prospecting is also popular in areas not covered by mining leases.