Peak Hill battery (WA) and track

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013 at 20:34

ThreadID: 100248 Views:4016 Replies:3 FollowUps:6

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Gold & Ghosts WA 100k Digital Map USB

The Gold and Ghosts 100K Geology & Historical Mine and Lease Map set (supplied on 8GB USB thumb drive) contains 223 Geology maps (100K scale) and 151 historical map images (various scales) covering

Member - Denis B (WA)

Hi all
I'm wondering if anyone might have the co-ordinates for the old State gold battery at Peak Hill north of Meekatharra. Looking at Google Earth there looks to have been a lot of more recent mining activity around Peak Hill so the battery may be hard to locate. I understand that it was formally known as the Peak Hill-Ravelstone battery.

Next question: the map shows a track meandering roughly east from Peak Hill mine to meet up with the Great Northern Hwy. It looks fairly faint on Google Earth, but perhaps there is some intrepid explorer out there who has tried it recently. Any info on its condition would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Denis

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Reply By: The Explorer - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013 at 22:24

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013 at 22:24

Hi
Cant help with any first hand knowledge but the 250K Geology map shows a "Private Battery" in the area at about 25° 36' 48.2" S & 118° 42' 49.6" E (GDA94/WGS 84).

Peak Hill 250K Geology

Co-ords should be within about 200 metres (assuming the location is plotted correctly on the map in first instance). It's not shown on the much newer 100K geology map.

The book Gold & Ghosts - A Prospectors Guide to Metal Detecting in Western Australia Vol 1 ( D.W. de Havelland 1985) refers to the "Ravelstone State Battery" which is described as being "on the north side of Two Mile Hill about 2.4km from the "Peak"". This plots in roughly the same position as the co-ords I have provided though the land mark "Two Mile Hill" is not shown on any map I have but nonetheless this information suggests it is the same battery as shown on the 250K map.

Cant help with the track in.

Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: Member - Denis B (WA) - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:20

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:20

Thanks Greg
My map shows a building symbol fairly close to those co-ordinates, so maybe there is something left out there after all.
I'll find out in a month or so.
Appreciate your input.
Cheers
Denis

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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:27

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:27

No worries

If you would like a copy of the Western 4WD article mentioned below (if you don't have it already) MM me and I will scan and email to you. It doesn't mentioned the battery as far as I can see but you may find in interesting none the less.

Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:36

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:36

Ignore that last one ..just read your post :)

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Reply By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013 at 12:23

Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013 at 12:23

G'day Denis

I will be heading south for a couple of weeks and if time and circumstance are on my side, I will have an "explore" of the Peak Hill area and shoot a few images and log the co-ordinates, I'll send you an email with the info you are chasing.

Safe travels : Joe

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Follow Up By: Member - Denis B (WA) - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:26

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:26

Thanks Joe
I really appreciate your help, but please don't compromise your trip on my account!! LOL
Enjoy the cooler weather down there!
Cheers
Denis

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Reply By: Member - Rowdy6032 (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013 at 15:50

Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013 at 15:50

Hi Denis

If you can get your hands on a copy of the Western 4W Driver Magazine, 83rd Edition, Winter 2012 it has a good write up on Peak Hill.

You can order back copies.

We were at Bilyuin in June but didn't go as far as Peak Hill.

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Follow Up By: Member - Denis B (WA) - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:33

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 13:33

Hi Rowdy6032
Thanks for this input.
Picked up copy of the mag at the Chart and Map Shop yesterday.
It's a good read, and although it doesn't specifically define the old battery location, it sounds like there are sufficient ruins remaining to be able to find it without too much trouble.

Did you get any water in the pool at Bilyuin? The first time I called in a few years back it was an amazing oasis; then a year or so later, it was as dry as the proverbial dead dingo bits!

Thanks again
Cheers
Denis

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