YORNANING DAM via CUBALLING WA

  Yornaning Dam, just 12 kms from Cuballing is a small reservoir that came about in the late 1890s when a siding on the Great Southern Railway called the  "Water Tank", was established as a water stop for passing steam engines that averaged up to 30 per week.
  The name ,that is believed to mean "land of many waters" in the local Noongar Aboriginal language, was first recorded as part of a survey of the area in 1869. After several renamings that included "Yornanmunging" and "Yernanunging", Yornaning was finally decided on in 1905. A townsite was gazetted adjacent to the siding in 1907  when  railway maintenance workers began to arrive and the dam was constructed sometime prior to 1912 .  Although it is promoted as a swimming and fishing spot it is at times polluted with a risk of poisoning. The water was a dark tea colour on this visit and the warning sign would surely scare off any would be bather or fisherman.
  In spite of this  there was a huge area available for bush camping and easy access to an equally large area of bush to explore. The Council however had erected a sign stating that this was not an official camping site without directly prohibiting such activities. As I knew others had camped here previously, I decided to drive back to the Council Office in Cuballing for clarification. When asked, a nice young Council Officer told me that yes, officially camping is not permitted at the dam, however, I would probably not be fined if I did. Good enough for me so back to the dam where I stayed for two days, meeting up with a friendly Echidna and a couple of big Kangaroos whilst exploring the bush for wildflowers.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)