Today we journeyed back to an old destination to conclude our curiousity of how this unique outback mine joins from Hightville to the main mine site. We thought the best way to take it all in was to walk from a dry river bed (where we left Cherry) short of Hightville to the opposite (western) side of the rail tunnel. We visited the other side of the tunnel back in July. This took us through the range, which appears from the debris to have claimed a few cars, WeeMacgregor mine and along the old rail track that meets with the tunnel. The terrain is harsh through the range, broken automotive glass on the trail reminds us of why we left Cherry behind. The varying levels of heat gave us a fair idea that work was tough and life was short out here. Concrete slabs and an open ore pass are the remains of the WeeMacgregor mine site, the narrow track continues through another hill, which led us to the other side of the only rail tunnel in North West Queensland. It was a pretty exciting moment for us to put the pieces of the WeeMacgregor historical mining masterpiece together and an adventure that won't be forgotten.
Constructed in the 1960’s to service the Uranium mine and township of Mary Kathleen, Corella Dam feed by the Corella River is now home to an array of birds, reptiles, and grey nomads, although thankfully not too many of the latter at this time of year. The main camping area was named after one of the founders of Mary Kathleen, Clem Walton. The mine completely closed in 1982 with the town buildings being auctioned and dismantled in 1983. It appears you could once walk along the Dam wall, but this is now fenced, so we could only view from a distance.
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November 2023
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