Bencubbin Sandalwood Dray
Come to Bencubbin to see the new restored Sandalwood Dray.
Sandalwooders were true poineers of the Mt Marshall district as the marks left by the sandalwood Drays made it possible for the settlers to find their land.
During the early settlement of the Mt Marshall District, sandalwooding proved to be a very lucrative business. As early as 1870, pastoralists pulled sandalwood to supplement their income. It is not known when the true sandalwooder arrived, but by 1917 when the rail came to Bencubbin, hundreds of tons of sandalwood was stacked waiting to be transported to Fremantle.
At one stage there was over 50 sandalwood drays working out of Bencubbin. one man could handle six drays. The restored Sandalwood Dray located in the main street of Bencubbin was built to recognise the sandalwooders as the true pioneers of Bencubbin and the Mt Marshall District. There is a sign that tells the story of Sandalwooders in the Mt Marshall District as well as a list of names of men who where sandalwooders in the district on display at the site also.
Meteorite Area at North Mandiga
This area is adjacent to the fault running north from Waddouring and three substantial meteorites have been found in a small area. Bencubbin Number 1 was found in 1930 weighing 542 kilograms, Bencubbin Number 2 was found in 1959 weighing 64.6 kilograms, and Bencubbin Number 3 was found in 1974 weighing 16 kilograms. All are in the Museum of Western Australia and are thought be from one meteorite which fragmented on impact. The only other meteorite in the world found with similar properties was in Bangladesh. A sample of Bencubbin Number 2 may be seen at the Shire Museum in Bencubbin.
Also in this area is a rock formation containing large Gnamma Holes and is known as Mungan Gabby. It was a large watering place and surveyors’ referencing point in the early days and is still on the Lands Department lithographs. This is a private property and permission must be sought to enter.
Welbungin Hill Well
Local wells were the only means in which early pioneers were able to remain on the land until the pipelines from the Mundaring Weir were established throughout the Shire. A trip back in time sees the observer imaging how families carted water from these sites for their stock and personal use.
Gemstone Area
At North Cleary a gemstone area may be found on Ayers Road. This road runs north from the rail crossing on the Burakin-Wialki Road. Most deposits are on the property of Mr D Khul and permission must be sought to enter the property.
Mt Marshall Shire Museum
Although not a large collection, it has a number of historical photographs and some literature. The museum also boasts a piece of Bencubbin Number 2 meteorite. Visitors can view the museum by contacting the Shire office on (08) 9685 1202.
Biliburning Rock
Bilburning Rock was surveyed by Harry Sanford King around 1889 -1890. The Rock is situated in the North-East of the Shire near the Vermin Proof fence. This rock is part of quite a large reserve. It has attractive wildflowers, a good view from the top of the rock and is a good picnic area. It is an ideal location for watching birds and other native fauna and offers many photographic opportunities. To get to Bilburning Rock, take Ingleton Road, North from the Beacon Townsite.
Marshall Rock
In 1889 Surveyor HS King fixed Trigg Point as Mt Marshall. Named after Captain Marshall McDermott, an early settler on the Swan River colony, it was found in 1836 by Surveyor General John Septimus Roe. Lake McDermott is adjacent to Mt Marshall and is a popular water-skiing area when full after cyclonic or extremely wet years.
Mouroubra Rd to Payne's Find Road
Runs north off the Burakin-Wialki Rd through the sheep station country. It is quite passable except on rare occasions when flooding has occurred. Signs will warn when the road is impassable or closed. The road runs through Remlap, Mouroubra and Maranalgo stations and quite close to the Maranalgo Homestead and then joins the Great Northern Highway at Paynes Find.
This road is an alternative route to and from Perth and southwest towns for travellers travelling to and returning from their sojourns in the north of the State passing through pastoral country along the eastern side of Lake Moore. The road is unfenced and care should be taken with lifestock, kangaroos and emus.
Road conditions can be checked by contacting Shire of Mt Marshall (08) 96851202 Mon – Fri.
Mining
Extensive kaolin claims have been pegged north of Gabbin and South of Tampu Bin. The kaolin is of a very high quality and suitable for world markets. Feasibility studies are at present being carried out on the possibility of mining these deposits.
Pergandes
The remains of one of the original homesteads and sheep yards, constructed from local granite slabs, may be seen on the property of M & D Cooper, situated approximately 10 kilometres south-east of Bencubbin. Restoration work has been programmed for this site.
Tampu Well
Located on Bimbijy Road, about 68 kilometres from Beacon, Tampu Well is an old Government well that was used by Sandalwooders, prospectors and shepherds. It is an excellent wildflower and birdwatching site.
Crimpy's Tank
Head West along Burakin - Wialki Road from Beacon and turn right onto Bimbijy Road (approximately 2 kilometres). The turnoff to Crimpy's Tank is on the left (signposted), about 25 kilometres from Beacon. Built in 1966, Crimpy's Tank is a rock catchment tank with a standpipe. It is a good picnic site and boasts a variety of wildflowers. There are traces of sandalwood cutters tracks on the East and North East of the rock. This is also a good site for birdwatching.
Tampu Bin
On the Bimbijy Road, about 50 kilometres from Beacon, the Tampu bin is the only 'off-line' grain receival point in the Shire. The grain is hauled by road transport to the railhead in Beacon. It derives its name from Tampu Well. Five Kilometres to the East the natural gimlet and salmon gum forest begins.
