Paynes Find, located 420 kilometres from Perth on the Great Northern Highway, with its small community of no more than 20 people, marks the centre of pastoral and goldmining activity. A gold crushing plant for extracting gold, new gold discoveries and the reworking of old mine sites have rejuvenated the area.
Paynes find takes its name from prospector Thomas Payne, who was the first to register a lease for gold mining with the Mines Department. As a reward for discovering gold in the area he was not charged to put a crushing of gold bearing ore through the State Government Battery. This was also the first crushing.
During the 1930s, about 500 people lived with their families, prospecting for gold by underground and dry blowing, hoping to strike it rich. During World War One many men were called away leaving only a few families remaining.
In 1987 the State Government Battery was sold to the Taylor family and is still operating today as, the Paynes Find Gold Battery, and is now a popular tourist attraction. Established in 1911, the Battery guides you to the town’s Museum filled with relics of the mining, pastoral and sandalwood industries. A display centre is next to the battery.
From late July to September, wildflowers are prolific in the area. White, cream, yellow and pink everlastings flow in carpets across the timeless landscape.
