East Magnet Goldfield, Mount Magnet, Mount Magnet Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
East Magnet Goldfield	Ore Field
Mount Magnet	Mountain
Mount Magnet Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Located within a few kilometres east of Mount Magnet, particularly centred on what is now called the Mayflower Reefs. The major mines were about 3 kilometres north-east of Mount Magnet being the New Years Gift, Mayflower and Primrose gold mines, all close together following the north-west to south-east trending reef lines.

Unlike the western side of the town, the number of mines was smaller here, with its heyday from only 1895 to 1900. It is remarkable reading old accounts of early prospectors coming across ground strewn with gold nuggets in all directions. This field was no different. The early mines found rich gold reefs. However, they were not as extensive as the west side of the town, which still has operating gold mines over one hundred years later.

Early miners report basic living conditions, a lack of water, and not seeing fresh fruit and vegetables for months. Gold fever kept them going. Within a year or two the rush to the field changed the landscape from dirt and mulga scrub, to a large town with hundreds of men digging the ground around the town. After the initial gold rush, some outlying suburbs of Mount Magnet dis-appeared altogether, while Mount Magnet entered a semi slumber. Today it has a main street along the Great Northern Highway lined with some historic buildings, and the excellent mining museum, with a display of local rock specimens.

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