History

Eurardy Reserve and the area surrounding it is the traditional country of the Nanda people. One listed site occurs on the Bungabandi creek, which acted as a thoroughfare to the Murchison River. A number of stone tools were identified at this site during a survey undertaken by local traditional owners.

Eurardy Station was originally part of Murchison House Station which extended from the mouth of the Murchison River in Kalbarri right up to Shark Bay. This is an enormous tract of land including the spectacular Zuytdorp cliffs on the western coastline, the rugged gorge and rolling dunes covered in low, sandplain heath, schrubland and woodland at its eastern margins. The entire area has a colourful maritime history with numerous shipwrecks fuelling local myths (and some truths!) of sunken treasure. The vermin proof fence also runs through state land to the coast only 60 kms north of Eurardy’s boundary.

On the property itself, are remains of the original homestead, which served as an outstation for Murchison House. A number of local (Northampton) residents have memories of fencing contractors being based at this location during the early to mid 1900s. Today, only a low dry stone wall, some paving and a stone tank base, well and trough denote the spot where early settlers battled the harsh, arid conditions. Abandoned mills and bores along the Bungabandi creek are also present as a reminder of the property’s pastoral history. Prior to purchase by ABHF, the station operated a pastoral lease for sheep grazing for many decades with cropping commencing in the late 1970s. Previous owners have also dabbled in pig farming and tourism in an attempt to make a living in extremely marginal country.

Learning more about the indigenous and non-indigenous history of Eurardy is an ongoing challenge. We are looking forward to talking with previous owners and members of the local community and, over time, hope to piece together more details of the property’s past.