Mount Magnet is an old Western Australian gold rush town.
The name was chosen by explorers in the region due to an isolated hill 5 km north
west of the current townsite which has an extremely high iron content and
affected their compasses.
Remnants of old mining operations from its heyday can still be seen and a few mines
are still in production including one established in 1890. It is now principally a service
centre for large pastoral stations stocking, mainly, sheep. It is also one of many
centres in the area which are part of the incredible wildflower display which occurs
in spring after rains. A carpet of colour spreads across the landscape and Mt Magnet
is as good as anywhere to view this phenomenum.
There is an airstrip operating to Meekatharra and Perth, and varied accommodation
is available.
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