The Bibbawarra Bore is located 16km north of Carnarvon. The best way to get there is via the Bibbawarra Road Crossing which is an unsealed road. Access is only available when the river is dry.
Discovery of Artesian Water
The Bibbawarra Bore was discovered in the early 1900s during exploratory drilling for coal. However, instead of coal they struck hot artesian water. Having drilled to the depth of around 914metres the hot water gushed out at 97,741 litres (21,500 gallons) an hour . The temperature of the water 68 degrees Celsius. I’m guessing it was somewhat of a surprise.
Stock troughs were eventually built in the 1940s to transport the water along the stock route for the sheep and cattle. It was funded in part by the Boolathana Pastoral Company and a government grant. The water travelled along the 175 metre long trough, cooling as it flowed along. This meant by the time it reached the sheep and cattle it was cool enough to drink. The trough was the longest in the Southern Hemisphere..
Bibbawarra Bore Today
Today the bore is surrounded by a fence, thanks to a tourist taking a dip and getting a nasty hot surprise. Apparently they sued the shire. A dog also fell victim to the hot water. The Shire of Carnarvon currently owns the bore but no longer promotes it as an attraction. What a shame considering the hot artesian water is still flowing and the remains of the troughs can still be seen.
Another popular artesian bore can be found at Peron Homestead at Peron Peninsula, Francois Peron National Park where you can even take a dip in the hot waters.
