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The Holland Track
The completion of the Great Southern Railway in 1889 and the establishment of the rail stop at Broomehill saw the demise of the localitys original settlement at Eticup, and the corresponding rise of Broomehill as a township.
In 1893 four men, John Holland, Rudolph Krakouer, David Krakouer and John Carmody left Broomehill to cut a track to the Coolgardie in the gold fields. The opening of "Holland s Track" connecting Broomehill to Coolgardie in 1893 saw an influx of prospectors, many of whom came from the eastern states by ship, travelling up from Albany by train to Broomehill before setting off on foot along the track to Coolgardie.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Between Broomehill and East Hyden, Holland Track has been overtaken by farmland. Several now unconnected sections of the original track can still be followed on wheatbelt roads through this region and a Holland Track eastern half of the track through virgin bushland out past the Rabbit Proof Fence. This is the route covered by the following strip maps, a remarkable heritage trail only reopened to travelers in 1993 by the dedicated efforts of Graeme Newbey and others.
Remember, no fuel or water is available between Hyden and Coolgardie, so you will require a range of 360km plus between those centres. To give you time to explore the rocks and other features along the track, allow at least three days exclusive of highway travel. The trip is probably best tackled in the spring wildflower season. Don t attempt it after rain. You ll have a miserable time getting yourself unbogged and wreck the track for others.
If you require any further information contact the Shire of Broomehill on 08 9824 1245 or email admin1@broomehill.wa.gov.au.
HOLLAND TRACK
John Holland was born in Perth 1st February 1856. In the late 1870 s he moved to the Katanning area and took over grazing leases from J. O Flaherty, it was his outstanding bushcraft that assured the success of the expedition from Broomehill to Coolgardie.
On 14th April 1893 John Holland leader, Rudolph Krokouer second in command, David Krakouer and John Carmody left Broomehill with 5 WA ponies a light dray, a 100 gallon (450 litre) water tank and provisions for 5 to 6 months. Their goal was Gnarlbine Rock, the main water supply for the goldfields. They crossed the railway line near Ivy Street Broomehill, veered North-North-East and picked up the existing Coyrecup to Eticup Road. With a small compass to aid them, they started into unknown country and each day Holland would ride out looking for water and horsefeed. They reached Bayleys find on 18 June the day after Paddy Hannan had reported his discovery of gold at what is now Kalgoorlie, Holland and his companions had covered nearly 330 miles in 2 months and 4 days. At that time cutting the longest cart road ever made in one stretch in WA. Allowing for delays and known rest periods, they averaged 6 miles a day. Through some stretches however, they would have been lucky to do 3 miles.
This expedition through uncharted country was a demonstration of extraordinary courage of these four men. Their route to the goldfields established direct communication with the south west of the Colony and shortened the journey by a fortnight or more.
It was a inestimable benefit, particularly when famine was threatening in the fields . Teams laden with foodstuffs, general stores, and equipment were soon using the road, together with prospectors anxious to try their luck. Thousands traveled along the track by any means available, some on foot pushing wheelbarrows loaded with their possessions.
John Holland died in November 1936.
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