Ruby Creek (Halls Creek Goldfield alluvial areas), Halls Creek Goldfield, Halls Creek Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Ruby Creek (Halls Creek Goldfield alluvial areas)	Alluvial Deposit
Halls Creek Goldfield	Ore Field
Halls Creek Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

After gold was discovered in the area in 1885 by Charlie Hall and Jack Slattery, there was an alluvial gold rush of several thousand men. Some gold was uncovered, but the field did not produce the bonanza of its more famous cousins located later, and further south in Western Australia (Cue, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie etc).

The lack of modern development of the field over the decades, has however attracted the hobby metal detectorist, and many nuggets have been found over the years.

The information in this section is written directions, based on Doug Stone's gold detecting map of the area, which is recommended for people pursuing this activity.

The first area is directly south of Old Halls Creek, along a gully for 1.5 kilometres, and another gully a few hundred metres south-west, also 1.5 kilometres long, both trending north-south. (See Lady Broome and Jubilee mines Mindat localities).

Butchers Gully is some 15 kilometres east of Old Halls Creek, and 500 metres west of Duncan Road. The large Butchers open pit is nearby. The gully runs north north-west to south south-east, and is auriferous for 4 kilometres, marked at its southern extent by the Mount Bradley mine. (See Butchers Gully and Mount Bradley mine Mindat localities)

Another gully is nearby, at the entrance to the Golden Crown mine off the Duncan Road. This gully trends north north-east to south south-west, and is auriferous from near the turn-off, north for 3 kilometres. (See Golden Crown Mindat locality)

Nuggetty Gully starts just north of the Faugh-a-Ballagh mine Mindat locality, and heads north-south. It is auriferous for 5 kilometres its entire length to the Elvirie River. Half-way it passes the Palm Springs mine which is likely a private lease. A side creek is also auriferous to the east, joining Nuggetty Gully just north of the Palm Springs mine. (See Palm Springs Mindat locality).

Several gullies with gold are found in the Twelve Mile Workings area. This site is about 12 kilometres north north-east of the Duncan Road, passing the Golden Crown mine, then taking the right fork to the Elvirie River. An auriferous gully is found where the track fords the river, for 0.5 kilometres north-south. Another is a few hundred metres west, past the old cattle yards, also north-south for 1 kilometre. The area has suffered bulldozing in the past. Two creeks are found north of the Elvirie River in the area, both north-south, and emptying into the Elvirie River. Poverty Gully is about 2 kilometres upstream from the ford. It is auriferous for 3.5 kilometres, virtually its entire length. Saunders Gully empties into the Elvirie River, about 0.5 kilometres downstream from the ford, and is auriferous for 2.5 kilometres, again its entire length. A small pit was developed on the creek in 2009. (See Twelve Mile Mindat locality)

The Rosie's Flat area also contains a couple of gullies. It is about 10 kilometres east of Old Halls Creek, at a sharp bend in the Duncan Road, from east to south, known as Rosie's corner. A track leaving north of here will reach the gully in less than 0.5 kilometres. The gully runs north-south and is auriferous for 2 kilometres. Side gullies are also worthwhile.

The 44 Gallon Drum small alluvial area is about 15 kilometres south south-west of Old Halls Creek. A north-south trending gully is auriferous for one kilometre. (See 44 Gallon Drum Mindat locality). The remote Hall's Gully alluvial area contains two east-west creeks, auriferous for about 1.5 kilometres (see Hall's Gully Workings Mindat locality). Another north-south creek, immediately south of the dam mentioned under the White Elvirie Mine Mindat locality.

An area immediately west of the Ruby Queen line of workings. Also an un-named area where the original Ruby Queen access track, a little west of Palm Springs, meets the Elvirie River. Auriferous to the west and north-west of the dam.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References