There is an iconic hotel ruin in Big Bell, now a ghost town, since the gold mine closed in 1955. At one time it was reputed to have the longest bar in Australia.
All that is left are the ruins of the hotel, lots of slabs from previous homes, and signs indicating where some buildings were. There were two signs about the Houston and Blacklock families and how they were linked together as part of the fabric of the town.
Population was 850 as a bustling town in the early 1950s, and included a row of shops at the end of Townsend Street. They included a draper, chemist, hairdresser, news agency, tea rooms and a library.
There was St. Celia’s Convent School, various houses, Big Bell School accomodating 50 students, but it closed 1943-45 when WWII affected the town. Many men went to serve overseas and some families returned to the big cities. They returned after the war, and in 1954 records show that enrolments were 100. There was a water fountain out the back of the school, and is still intact today. However no water flows, but there are some flowers growing and surviving in the middle.
The road from Cue started out blacktop, but soon turned to dirt. A bit bumpy, but a welcoming sign was slow, 40 zone, grader ahead! Obviously they thought it needed upgrading as quad trucks were continuously on the move from the mine.
Quite an interesting hour or two, fascinating to visit a little gem from the past. It’s only about 1/2 hour from Cue, and well worth the visit.
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