Cue
Town
Population 273
This town was once known as the 'Queen of the Murchison'. In 1891 Mick Fitzgerald and Ed Heffernan found large nuggets of gold not far from what was to become the main street. It was their prospecting mate, Tom Cue, who registered the claim on their behalf and when the town was officially proclaimed in 1894, it bore his name. Within ten years the population of this boom town had exploded to about 10 000 people. While Cue's population has dwindled, the legacy of those heady gold-rush days is evident in the town's remarkably grandiose buildings.
Visitor Information
Golden Art Shop and Tourist Information Centre, Austin St; (08) 9963 1936
Nearby towns
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Mount Magnet
In 1854 the hill that rises above this Murchison goldmining town was named West Mount Magnet by surveyor Robert Austin after he noticed...more -
Meekatharra
The name Meekatharra is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of little water' – an apt description for a town sitting on the...more -
Yalgoo
Alluvial gold was discovered in the 1890s in Yalgoo, which lies 216 kilometres east of Geraldton. Today, gold is still found in the...more
In Town
Heritage buildings Many early buildings still stand and are classified by the National Trust. A stroll up the main street takes in the elegant band rotunda, the former Gentleman's Club (now the shire offices, housing a photographic display of the region's history), the Old Gaol, the courthouse, the post office and the police station. One block west in Dowley St is the former Masonic Lodge built in 1899 and reputed to be the largest corrugated-iron structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
Nearby
Walga Rock This monolith is 1.5 km long and 5 km around the base. It has several Aboriginal rock paintings. One of the most extraordinary paintings, considering that Cue is over 300 km from the sea, is of a white, square-rigged sailing ship. It is believed to depict one of the Dutch ships that visited WA's mid-west shores in the 17th century. 50 km W.Day Dawn: once Cue's twin town, thanks to the fabulous wealth of the Great Fingall Mine. The mine office, a magnificent century-old stone building now perched precariously on the edge of a new open-cut mine, is all that remains of the town; 5 km W. Milly Soak: popular picnic spot for early Cue residents. A tent hospital was set up nearby during the typhoid epidemic; 3 lone graves are the only reminder of the thousands who died; 16km N. Heritage trail: includes the abandoned towns Big Bell and Day Dawn; contact visitor centre for brochure. Fossicking: areas surrounding the town; contact visitor centre for details.
Campsites around town
Lake Mason camping area 161 km
Lake Mason camping area provides campers with a good range of facilities near the old homestead, set around some shady trees, while they explore this old pastoral property. Bring firewood and water to this site 56 km... Find out moreNorth Pool 248 km
This small site is reached 10.4 km north of Wiluna. GPS S:26 26.772 E:120 08.868... Find out moreClub Hotel Caravan Park 249 km
Wiluna, on the Goldfields Hwy between Meekatharra and Leonora, is the start and finish point for the Canning Stock Route and the famous Gunbarrel Hwy. For many intrepid adventurers, it is the first or last sign of... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Mount Magnet Caravan Park 71 km
We sometimes stay at this good-quality council caravan park, which has all basic facilities. There are shady trees, a patch of lawn for tents and clean amenities.... Find out moreAlice Atkinson Caravan Park 152 km
This park offers a lot of features for an unrated, budget-priced park in a small town, including very clean modern amenities, a dump point and green grass for those in tents. Spend some time and visit the natural rock... Find out moreYalgoo Caravan Park 157 km
This is a good example of what a small community can achieve with an attractive tourist park in the main street of Yalgoo. The layout is simple, the amenities are basic and the result is good. Pay your fees (cash only)... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Rest areas around town
Cue Park Area 8 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway opposite the police station. GPS: S27 25.30 E117 53.47... Find out moreNallan Homestead Camp Area 14 km
T/O 12 km N of Cue (R) or 104 km S of Meekatharra (L) Rustic camp areas around the homestead located 3 kilometres east of the highway. Camp kitchen and some powered sites available. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS:... Find out moreLake Nallan Rest Area 20 km
20 km N of Cue (R) or 96 km S of Meekatharra (L) Large secluded area just off the highway on the shores of the lake. Limited shade. GPS: S27 15.21 E117 58.57 ... Find out moreThe Granites Park Area 65 km
6 km N of Mount Magnet (R) or 74 km S of Cue (L) Large secluded area well off the highway in an area of unusual rock formations. GPS: S28 00.28 E117 51.11 ... Find out moreMount Magnet Park Area 71 km
North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S28 03.43 E117 50.56... Find out moreMeekatharra Park Area 110 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway opposite the motel. Limited shade. GPS: S26 35.34 E118 29.43... Find out moreKirkalocka Homestead Camp Area 126 km
T/O 84 km N of Paynes Find (R) or 60 km S of Mount Magnet (L) Pleasant camping area 0.5 of a kilometre east of the highway at the homestead. Camp kitchen and some powered sites available. Good facilities but shade is... Find out more25 Mile Well Rest Area 149 km
40 km N of Meekatharra (L) or 216 km S of Kumarina (R) Large area adjacent to the highway at an old well site. GPS: S26 15.55 E118 39.32... Find out more
