While doing some preparatory research with satellite images for the Bullabulling Wallaroo Wangine Goongarrie trip, Scott Wilson picked out a group of claypans north-east of Wallaroo Rock.
Scott noticed that one of these claypans had what he was very sure was an old woodline crossing it.
None of the very experienced bush historians on this trip had seen or heard of a woodline crossing a salt lake/claypan before. Given the inherent difficulties of crossing a claypan, even on foot, constructing a woodline that was higher than even the occasional peak water level would have been a considered decision – across versus going around. Given all these factors we considered such construction to be quite a rare occurrence.
-
- Phil looks on as Kim and Scott screw and wire tie the nameplate to the post. Photo Alan McCall.
-
- Bianchi Claypan
Scott and I determined to name this small but significant piece of history ‘Bianchi Claypan’ in honour of Phil Bianchi, OAM.
Phil is an avid researcher of all things woodlines and has authored/co-authored four books on the subject:
Early Woodlines of the Goldfields
Lakewood Woodline 1937 to 1964
Voices from the Woodlines
Woodlines of Western Australia
-
- The outline of the sleepers can still be seen.
Despite its remote location and small size, the discovery of an historic woodline across a claypan makes it very significant. It is now suitably signposted, as is the track into it from the Wallaroo Rock-Juardi Hills track.
-
- Phil points the way to ‘his claypan’.
Access to Bianchi Claypan GPX File
© Kim Epton 2025
288 words, four photographs.
Feel free to use any part of this document but please do the right thing and give attribution to adventures.net.au. It will enhance the SEO of your website/blog and Adventures.
See Terms of Use.