World's Largest Tombstone

The existence of the World’s Largest Tombstone is debatable. This was to be the third time I had searched for it.

According to explorer/surveyor Robert Austin’s 1854 journal it was just outside of current day Goomalling. Nine other interested persons in six vehicles joined me to see if we could find some truth in Austin’s words.

After rendezvousing at Northam we travelled to Goomalling Springs (from where Austin started his day back in July 1854) and toured the historic Slater Homestead.

We then spent several hours on the property immediately to the north of Goomalling Springs where Austin stated the world’s largest tombstone to be, searching in vain for anything that even vaguely resembled his description.

The weather was changing and looked threatening.

After having searched the ‘target area’ twice with no luck we headed off to Walyamouring Nature Reserve, then to Dingo Rock, Wongan Hills, and Lake Ninan.

From this surprising lake we followed the railway from Kalguddering to the Goomalling-Dowerin Road.

: Cliff takes his Suzuki through the mud.

: Mike splashes through another puddle.

: Nick negotiates the mud in his Jeep.

: Mike takes his Jeep through the mudhole.

On the exposed expanses of the farming country to the north of Goomalling the winds were gusting to 40 kph and more. It looked like being an uncomfortable night at our planned campsite at the yet-to-be-found tombstone.

Rex suggested that we stay at the experimental farm at Amery, just outside of Dowerin. The buildings gave us protection from the wind and what could have been a miserable night was in actuality quite pleasant.

: Campfire at Amery.

Next morning we travelled to Minnivale where a local interest group has a rail restoration project. South of this historic abandoned village is Namelcatchem Well, a restored pioneer well.

: Namelcatchem Well

We visited Yorkrakine Rock, an aboriginal ‘birthing site’, an important landmark in the Shire of Tammin, and a popular walking and picnic site.

: Yorkrakine Rock.

: Tenacious vegetation on Yorkrakine Rock.

: Climbing Yorkrakine Rock.

: Cairn on the top of Yorkrakine Rock.

: View from the top of Yorkrakine Rock.

Mount Caroline and Mount Stirling dominate the landscape on the drive to Kokerbin Rock, Australia’s third largest monolith. There are so many interesting features at Kokerbin it would take more than just a fleeting visit to see them. There is a well developed tafone not far from the parking area.

: A well developed tafone at Kokerbin.

From there we headed to Pantapin, past the Pink and Blue Lake to Youndegin. Here we stopped to see the old police station and well, and then headed to York and back to Perth.

Participants:
Kim Epton, Mike and Sue Crane, Nick and Carrie Crane, Rex Adams, Phil Di Nunzio, Cliff Hills, Jeff and Micaela Anderson.

The Road Trip to try to discover Austin’s fantasy took place over the weekend of 24-25 May 2014.

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